Unrighteous Judgement
We all want a criminal to be caught
If someone steals from us we want them caught and our stuff back
We want someone to eat of the fruit of their wrongdoing.
If they didn't they would never learn.
The justice part of us wants to make sure that justice is served.
Two types of judgments we use:
Judicial
Opinion based or judging w/o biblical basis
We are told through the bible to evaluate or judge in order to make a determination whether something is right or wrong.
Judgement goes wrong when we critically evaluate and want a punishment that is excessive with the crime.
Matthew 7:1-2 AMP 1 DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.
Judging from our own opinions or ways
We criticize people’s actions or decisions based off of what we would do.
We all have our opinions whether something is good, bad and really bad
The problem comes when we criticize others when they do something drastically different than we would.
Our ways and opinions make sense to us but have no basis
Romans 12:3-4 NAS “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function”
Psalms 97:1-2 NAS 1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad. 2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
We will not only judge nations, but also angels in the age to come.
We will rule and reign with the Lord in His kingdom
This is something we must learn now.
There are two separate legal systems that we as Christians live in
The world’s system of laws
God, Himself has set up this system to punish lawbreakers
Romans 12:1 says all authority has been set up by God...
God’s system of laws
God’s laws are good and still applicable today.
The punitive aspects of the law are not applicable today
The cross has settled that
Example: Woman caught in adultery.
The Pharisees said, “Now in the law”
Jesus applied grace which forgave her without punitive penalty
Much of the time God’s people think Old Testament by wanting people punished according to the law.
The world’s system has a penal system based off of what the perpetrator has done
God’s system has penal system based off of what Jesus has done
There are two types of Mercy to be considered to keep us from judging.
Galatians 6:1 NAS Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
“There, but for the grace of God, go I” - John Bradford
Romans 14:10 AMP Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Caleb:
This is the entire gospel:
2 Corinthians 5:19 AMP that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].
Gossip: what is it creating?
Transform culture by being counter-culture and prophesying the opposite.
1 Corinthians 14:3 AMP But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].