THOUGHT FOR TODAY, APRIL 3, 2017: NOT JUDGING IS NOT AN OPTION

One might conclude from the thoughts of the last few days that the safe thing is to never judge. We really do not have that option (1 Cor 5:1-13). Jesus warned, however, that our judgment must be righteous (John 7:24).

At least two things must be weighed before we render a righteous judgment: motive and mercy. Why do we seek to judge in the first place? Is it to restore one overtaken in a fault? Is it an attempt to distract attention from our own sins? Is it self-righteousness? The Pharisees were not really interested in restoring the woman taken in adultery. They really were not interested even in upholding the law. They sought to use both the woman and the law to entrap Jesus (John 8:6).

Bildad and his friends may have sincerely thought that they were upholding the honor of God and trying to restore Job, but they judged by appearances and without mercy. Job responded, “I have heard many things like this before. You are pathetic at comforting me. Will your long-winded speeches never end? What disturbs you that you keep answering me? I, too, could speak like your if we could trade places. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you” (Job 16:2-4, God’s Word Version).

Sometimes we must discern, denounce, and discipline (Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:1-13). Penitent, forgiven sinners must pass judgment on impenitent, unforgiven sinners in an effort to restore them. However, we are nowhere commanded to pass judgment on penitent sinners. Because we cannot look into the heart, as could Jesus, we may sometimes error. The impenitent might be judged as penitent. The penitent might be judged as impenitent.

The stated policy of some is “when in doubt, take the safe course,” which to them means to come down hard on the side of the letter of the law. We cannot even judge the motive of those who take this approach. In those cases with which I am personally familiar, I believe that the motive was usually the fear that if they granted fellowship to someone whom God would later bar from heaven that he might also exclude them, so the safe course was to withhold fellowship. But is that the safe course? What if we bar from fellowship someone whom God accepts? I believe that when in doubt, the safe course is to always error on the side of mercy. With this James clearly agrees: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”