| (Copyright) by Gregory Diaz (Wayne, New Jersey) |
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| Judging is an interesting and important subject. Like any other doctrine it should be studied to see what the bible says about it. Judging has more than one meaning. It can mean either (1) pass sentence; punish; condemn or 2) discern; form an opinion. These definitions are relevant with respect to how the word is used in the bible. Caution must be used not to reason around the bible’s clear intended meaning. All verses on a subject should be considered. Christians are supposed to judge in the sense of discerning (1 Cor 2:15). Can they judge based on the righteous word of God in the sense of punishing, sentencing, or condemning? No, unless it’s done by supernatural means. If we understand that God is both our teacher and avenger, then we can trust Him to teach people their sins and to punish our enemies. There are many examples of God’s supernatural protection or vengeance. While in the Worldwide Church of God I often heard and read that Matt 7:1 meant do not condemn. Condemnation implies that there are no lesser punishments. However, verse 2 shows there are degrees of judgment being spoken of. Jesus teaches not only do not condemn but also do not sentence or punish. This is plain and nothing in the bible contradicts it. Some things may SEEM to. It is God’s job to punish as a father (Heb 12:6). Consider that even Jesus did not judge (John 8:15). He goes on to say, “And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me” (verse 16). Jesus was, and is, AT ONE with the Father. Unless you are AT ONE with the Father your judgment is unrighteous. There is no question that there will be tares in the church (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43). That is a GUARANTEE. We shouldn’t be surprised when something Jesus said comes to pass. Jesus clearly states, “let both grow TOGETHER“. As an example of this Jesus said concerning Judas; “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?“(John 6:70). Since there SHALL be tares within the church it is logical that these same tares will be the ones disobeying the ESSENTIAL command of Jesus NOT to remove the “things that offend, and them which do iniquity” (Matt 13:41). Jesus said they are the children of the wicked one. It is the devil that “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8). These are wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15). They go forth “conquering, and to conquer” (Matt 24:5, Rev 6:2) and are therefore called Nicolaitanes meaning conquerors of the laity (Rev 2:6,15). The following verses also explain the idea behind the tare’s parable… – That they SHALL be WITHIN the church: Beware of false prophets, which COME TO YOU in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matt 7:15) Comment: Jesus DOES NOT say to prevent them from coming to you. For I know this, that after my departing SHALL grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves SHALL men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there SHALL BE false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Pet 2:1) – That they SHALL be WITHIN the church and CANNOT BE DISTINGUISHED from the wheat: For there are certain men CREPT IN UNAWARES, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 4) And that because of false brethren UNAWARES BROUGHT IN, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (Gal 2:4) – That both should grow TOGETHER until the harvest and therefore separating from them is unbiblical: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of EVERY kind: So shall it be at the end of the world: the ANGELS shall come forth, and SEVER the wicked from among the just, (Matt 13:47 & 49) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark (or observe) them which cause DIVISIONS (separate “righteous” from “unrighteous”) and offences contrary to the doctrine (the doctrine commanded in the parable of tares) which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Rom 16:17) Comment: This verse does NOT say remove them. Therefore judge NOTHING before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Cor 4:5) For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he WITHDREW and SEPARATED HIMSELF, fearing them which were of the circumcision. (Gal 2:12) Comment: Peter separated himself from gentile sinners contrary “to the truth of the gospel” (verse 14 & 15). They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, THEY WOULD EXCLUDE YOU, that ye might affect them. (Gal 4:17) Comment: This is describing the teachers of the false gospel. Exclude means disfellowship. How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who SEPARATE THEMSELVES, sensual, having not the Spirit. (Jude 18-19) I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, RECEIVETH US NOT. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, NEITHER DOTH HE HIMSELF RECEIVE THE BRETHREN, and FORBIDDETH THEM THAT WOULD, and CASTETH THEM OUT OF THE CHURCH. (3 John 9-10) Conclusion: SINCE YOU CANNOT KEEP THE WOLVES OUT, THE ONLY LOGICAL WAY TO PREVENT THEM FROM PREYING ON THE SHEEP IS TO LET EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE WOLVES, IN! THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT JESUS COMMANDED! (This article has been updated and re-printed from “The Church of God Messenger” July/August 2004—Issue No. 22) —————————————————————————————————— See Gregory Diaz’s other articles at: Diaz, Gregory – Church of God, Bismarck (church-of-god-bismarck.org) —————————————————————————————————— |
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