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Christ calls upon His people, to be truly spiritual Children of God, and THEN...not merely to judge others, but to be such as are qualified, morally and spiritually, to judge in matters concerning truth and error or right conduct and wrong.
As the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy and Titus, both truly spiritual men of God, to act in situations in which it is necessary to judge. To Timothy He writes, "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" 1 Timothy 5:20. And, "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" 2 Timothy 4:2. Then, to Titus He writes, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I have appointed thee" Titus 1:5. "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision; Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake" Titus 1:10-11.
Not just anyone would be qualified, spiritually and morally, to judge the “wrong-doing” Children of God to whom Timothy and Titus ministered, but these two men of God WERE thus qualified and the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul instructed them to do so firmly.
This brings us to a most important subject pertaining to us all:
Judging Ourselves
In the Apostle Paul's well known passage on the LORD's Supper, he warns against partaking of this sacred memorial in an unworthy manner, 1 Corinthians 11:27, as some of the Corinthians were indeed doing. "Let a man examine himself," he says, "and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" 1 Corinthians 11:28.
It was because they had been so irresponsible in this matter that it had become necessary for Christ, to discipline them. Many among them were "weak and sickly," and some had even been taken away in death. 1 Corinthians 11:30. This would not have been necessary, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle declares, if they had judged themselves. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32. Each one carefully examining himself in the presence of the Christ, so that he might be in the proper spiritual condition to celebrate the death of Yâ-hwéh Yâhuwshúa`, The LORD Jesus Christ, for sin.
Concluding the remarks about living so that they could partake of this remembrance in a worthy and sincere manner, He says, "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world" 1 Corinthians 11:31-32.
All of us should surely take the Holy Spirit’s exhortation through the Apostle here to heart. If we would judge ourselves God would not have to discipline us for our irresponsibility and we would be in a better position to serve Him as those who are truly spiritual.
Now, be VERY aware that the fact that a man judges others does not of itself indicate that he is truly spiritual. As a matter of fact, someone who judges himself and is truly spiritual will NOT be quick to judge others. Yet, it SHOULD be our desire to BE truly spiritual so that we might correctly "judge all things". 1 Corinthians 2:15. And, therefore judging, stand for what is Scriptural and right and withstand what is unscriptural and wrong, even when, in so doing, it is necessary to withstand those who teach or practice what is unscriptural and wrong?
So let’s STOP the use of such passages as 2 Timothy 2:24 and Matthew 7:1 as excuses for irresponsibility and for the criticism of those who seek to stand true to Christ and His Word. Let us rather consider prayerfully all that God says about judging, that we might truly please and honor Him!
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
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