Judge not--lest ye be judged.....
There is a great misunderstanding among Christians on this point.
First, we do not judge-- but we have God's word and His commandments that show us, without question, what sin is-- and we have those sins emblazoned in the word of God for us to work hard to avoid. Of course we all fall short--and we will sin-- but when we do things that are against God's laws intentionally or we if we sin because we misinterpret His word to our own comfort level so as to justify our wrongdoing--we are acting unrighteous and are sinning.
What a pastor SHOULD do when he sees a brother or sister in such a condition is to tell him or her that they are living outside of God's will and His design for our lives.
The Apostle James wrote: “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
This is really what the New Testament church did-- they lived in loving correction -- they did not throw out members, they did not "judge" them--for when the word of God is applied to our lives we can see the errors of our ways and--with confession-- turn back to righteousness.
Hebrews 4: 12--12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The word Judges-- to keep us in the liberty of Christ-- neither living outside that liberty in license (to do as we please) nor in condemnation (as in legalism).
If being your pastor means being responsible for trying to correct those who stray- and in the process by my words or actions in referring to scripture I make some of you angry, or upset, or shameful, then that is something you must deal with--it is then between you and God. My job is to keep His word from being taken out of context and used to justify sin.
2 Timothy 3:16 says--All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
If you ever think that I have wronged you or judged you outside of the above application of scripture--please show me in God's word where I have been wrong. I am not here to be popular and simply teach things that sound good to the ear-- but to bring the truth of God's word to light. Just because we are living "under grace" doesn't give us the freedom to live any way WE choose-- remember this:
Paul wrote: Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. --
LIVE IN THE SPIRIT--NOT IN THE FLESH!!!
First, we do not judge-- but we have God's word and His commandments that show us, without question, what sin is-- and we have those sins emblazoned in the word of God for us to work hard to avoid. Of course we all fall short--and we will sin-- but when we do things that are against God's laws intentionally or we if we sin because we misinterpret His word to our own comfort level so as to justify our wrongdoing--we are acting unrighteous and are sinning.
What a pastor SHOULD do when he sees a brother or sister in such a condition is to tell him or her that they are living outside of God's will and His design for our lives.
The Apostle James wrote: “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
This is really what the New Testament church did-- they lived in loving correction -- they did not throw out members, they did not "judge" them--for when the word of God is applied to our lives we can see the errors of our ways and--with confession-- turn back to righteousness.
Hebrews 4: 12--12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The word Judges-- to keep us in the liberty of Christ-- neither living outside that liberty in license (to do as we please) nor in condemnation (as in legalism).
If being your pastor means being responsible for trying to correct those who stray- and in the process by my words or actions in referring to scripture I make some of you angry, or upset, or shameful, then that is something you must deal with--it is then between you and God. My job is to keep His word from being taken out of context and used to justify sin.
2 Timothy 3:16 says--All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
If you ever think that I have wronged you or judged you outside of the above application of scripture--please show me in God's word where I have been wrong. I am not here to be popular and simply teach things that sound good to the ear-- but to bring the truth of God's word to light. Just because we are living "under grace" doesn't give us the freedom to live any way WE choose-- remember this:
Paul wrote: Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. --
LIVE IN THE SPIRIT--NOT IN THE FLESH!!!