Introduction. (Romans 14:1-4). Note: Context-conflict over eating of meats. Question - “who are you to judge another’s servant?” i.e. the brother in Christ is God’s servant. In a “doubtful” matter God is the judge, we must not.
     This touches on an issue we often struggle with - i.e. our attitudes towards those in error, who may believe in Jesus but practice what is unauthorized or have not obeyed the gospel as it is taught in the New Testament. Tonight I’d like for us to consider the question, “when must we judge another person.”

I. Jesus’ Teaching on Judging Others (Matthew 7:1-5).

1. “Judge not” - Is Jesus teaching that we make no determination of when someone has done wrong?
2. “First remove...then you will see clearly” Jesus is not saying we never make determinations of right or wrong. What is it that we must “judge not”? Two issues:
   1. “The measure you use...measured back to you.” cf. “as we forgive” (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) & “judgment without mercy” (James 2:12-13). Jesus teaches that our own attitude towards others will effect God’s attitude towards us.
   2. Hypocrisy. “Do not consider the plank in your own eye” cf. (James 2:8-11). We can only help others if we are honest with ourselves. We can only help ourselves if we are honest in evaluating ourselves. So, when is Jesus saying you judge another person? Only when we first consider our own problems and then with a merciful attitude that seeks their good.

II. Resolving Differences Between Brethren (I Corinthians 6:1-6). What was going on here?

1. “A matter against another” Gr. “matter” pragma (from which we get our word “pragmatic”) “that which has been done...a thing” (Thayer). We assume that this is not necessarily something that is right or wrong (although it could involve sin). It is just “something” against another. They went to unbelievers.
2. “World will be judged by you.”
   1. Jesus will judge in the end (Matthew 25:31-33; Revelation 20:11,12).
   2. The faithful “judge” the unfaithful by their example. (Luke 11:14-19). Note: The Jewish exorcists were “judges” of the truth of the Pharisees accusation. In the same way, the faithfulness of Christians makes them “judges” of the unfaithfulness of the world.
3. “Are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” Christians should be able to help each other sort out problems. If right vs. wrong (Christians should know the word). If matters whether there is no right or wrong (Christians should be able to judge things “concerning this life.”) I.e. husband-wife conflict, brethren can say, “don’t talk that way to each other!” Or, between brethren, “why not do it this way.”
        Christians should be able make judgments for one another that can help each other get along.

III. Judgment of Believers vs. Judgment of Non-Believers.

1. Withdrawing from a brother. (I Corinthians 5:1-5). Note: Paul said he “already judged.” Was this a sin against Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1? No, he had to make a determination of who could be considered faithful in identification and work and who was not. This was a way of showing love and help.
   1. cf. II Thessalonians 3:6, 14. Note: In this case a judgment must be made-Is the brother “walking disorderly.” The standard is what is written. Is that...
      • hypocritical judgment? No.
      • without mercy? No.
      • a doubtful matter? No. From the standard!
      • judgment of eternal fate? cf. I Cor. 5: 5 it is done in the hopes of salvation. It is simply a judgment regarding identification in a local congregation. We must make these kinds of judgments to: 1. Help each other go to heaven, 2. guard ourselves from sin. (I Corinthians 5:6-8).
2. Association with the world. (I Corinthians 5:9-13).
   1. We are not to “go out of the world.” vs. 13 “Those outside God judges.” This is not saying that we will “judge” one another on judgment day (except by our example - i.e. I Cor. 6:2; Luke 11:19). Rather, it is saying that we don’t have to make judgments about faithfulness and unfaithfulness regarding withrawal or continued association with the world.
   2. “What do I have to do with judging those outside” - We struggle with this. We want to figure out for those who are unsound in faith, or unbelievers altogether “how exactly will God view them?” That is God’s affair. Ours is to follow and uphold his word!
           Note: Does that mean we don’t tell the unbeleiver or the one in error “this is wrong!” Of course not. How could we ever spread the gospel. The point is that our task is not to put ourselves on God’s throne at any given moment and say “here is how God views you!” Instead what we must do is...
   3. “Do you not judge those inside?” (vs. 12).

Conclusion. We are not to...

• Judge each other in “doubtful ” matters. We leave that to God. We try to act in a way that helps one another do right.
• Judge someone harshly and without mercy. Our mercy to others effect how we will be judged.
• Judge ignoring our own sin. We are to repent and “remove” sin from our life so that we can help others learn what is right.

• Judge the world by our example. As we do and teach what is right, the error of the unrighteous is exposed and their sin is manifest.
• Judge in disputes between brethren to help them resolve problems.
• Judge those within a local congregation we work with. We do this to help each other go to heaven and to keep ourselves from sin. That really is the only issue we really have to determine with regard to individuals - “Can I work and worship with this person in a good conscience? Do I communicate by that association they are sound and faithful? Am I helping them go to heaven and letting them help me do the same.”

• Judge the specific condition of those outside, except in the recognition of their sin or error, and my willingness to lead them to the truth.
• I can associate with the unrighteous, even appreciating areas in which we may agree, without feeling the same obligation to judge their situation as I would a brother in a local church.