Judge and Jury by Shalene Kearney

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person. 1 Corinthians 5:12 NKJV

If I were to ask you what one of the biggest "turn offs" of modern day Christianity is, what do you suppose would be the answer? I'm talking about those that are not believers- those standing on the outside looking in. It is my opinion that one of the biggest turn offs would be that we have made ourselves, oftentimes, into judge and jury of their sinfulness. That is not what we are called to do!

In the above verse, Paul is talking to the church of Corinth, explaining to them that they are to put away from themselves a person of their church that was found to be sexually immoral. And he admonishes them that they are not to judge those that are outside, that that is God's job, not theirs.

How often do you find yourself looking at a person's sin and judging it, whether they be of the Church (the body of believers, not the building) or not? I admit, I've done it myself. But I am not proud of that fact. We are all sinners! We all fall short of the glory of God. How can we judge the sin of another, when all sin is equal in God's eyes. Sin is Sin. Period. If we are to reach unbelievers, we have to be willing to look past the sin, without judging the person that has committed it.

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

"You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me." John 8:15-16 NKJV

Now let me be clear here. We are not to judge the sinful person outside of the church but we are called to help one another back onto the path of righteousness if any of us stumble (again, I'm speaking of the body of believers, not the building or institutional church.) But we are still not to be judge and jury. And this is to be done only by those that are of full knowledge of Scripture, and in fellowship with the Lord. In other words, they are not doing it because they judge the actions, but because having full knowledge of His Holy Word, they are able to show the trespasser their transgressions.

BRETHREN, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV (emphasis mine)

For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Galatians 6:4-5 NKJV

Remember, you too were once unsaved. And you too, are still a sinner. Do not place yourself in the position of being judge and jury. God is the one and only Judge of all. Help your fellow brother or sister in Christ, to continue to follow in Christ's footsteps, but do NOT place yourself in a position of judgement or condemnation, lest you too should be judged.

I leave you with one last point regarding our behavior toward those outside the Fold:

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV

---Lord, today I pray that any judgemental thoughts I may have against my fellow man would be crushed immediately. I pray also that you forgive me for my moments of sinful thinking. I pray that I show only love and no condemnation for those outside the Fold. That I would bring them to You by that show of love, rather than push them away from that which would be their salvation. I pray this for the readers of this message as well. In Christ's Name I Pray, Amen.