It is interesting to note that as I was finishing Part II of “Are you really Christian?”, that before the virtual ink had even dried on my online post that a comment was made “that the only way we can determine who is Christian is by judging them”. This was from a person who insists that we are to judge each other and correct those things we find wrong.

I am publishing my response to him, his name is Don, and frequents a site that I used to be on for years.

The only one way to determine if someone is a Christian, is to judge them. Right, Jonathan?

Actually, no, Don. You don’t determine who is a Christian, God does. We can discern their fruits and what they profess, and even to a degree what they do. But God knows WHY someone does what they do, we don’t have that capacity. But to know that there are criteria for what a Christian is, and the difference between that and one who is of the body of Christ, that we do have a sure guide for—the Word of God.

We are never called to judge, notwithstanding your oft quoted verse in John. We are to discern that which is of God and that which is not. The personal integrity of the individual’s walk with God is just that, their walk with God. When we sit in the judgement seat, however good our intentions, we are out of line with God’s Word. It is a simple thing to say someone has stolen something, the proof is physical and evidentiary, but to call someone a thief, for a single act, is to judge things we have no experience of and no sure knowledge.

But God does, He KNOWS intent and character, we do not.

When we address our sisters and brothers in Christ, it is to witness truth, as you have often said, and that is a fact. But when we witness to their faults and failings AS INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE we have lost the example of love that Christ gives us to follow. Judge acts, yes, judge people, no. Discern that there may be faulty thinking or misguided understanding, but do not judge the quality of character of the person themselves.

This does not speak to understanding what is of the world and what is of God. Nor does it speak to “what” a Christian is, or the “what” is a son or daughter of perdition. We are not speaking of Light vs. Dark, we are speaking of the integrity of our faith, and the pursuit of relationship with God through Christ.

These are two different things.

When we associate with someone in an intimate and personal way for a long period of time, we can discern their proclivities and even perhaps their motivations. But without in-depth knowledge of what they believe, where they come from, how they were raised, and first hand knowledge of their life experiences, we can only know OF them—and not know truly WHO they are. Because if we even knew those things, we still don’t know the person they are inside, and their relationship with God.

Let me explain.

If you are around someone who steals constantly and consistently, they are by example a thief. If a man preaches every Sunday in church, again, by example, he is a preacher. The example being is the evidence of your eyes to the outside conditions. However to say that preacher is esteemed above the thief is to qualify what we see, and to see into a heart only God sees clearly!

Perhaps the thief steals to feed his children and simply to survive, and the preacher preaches to gain the fame, fortune and power over others. The thief has done wrong with a good heart, and in that there is the ability for forgiveness, however, the preacher has done good to receive that which is of the world and contrary to God’s Word, the preacher may be ultimately unable to be redeemed. But looking at the outside actions, without the inside knowledge, one would suppose the thief is the lost soul, when in fact it is the preacher.

In this we learn that actions are OUTSIDE things, and our Christian faith (which is a very real and dynamic relationship with God) is about INSIDE things. We can see the outside, but are blind to what may lie within a person’s heart. We do well to follow the unction to discern, be wise and judge not IN ANYTHING pertaining to a person’s relationship with God. In this we follow ALL of God’s commandments, based on loving Him and loving otheres, and stay away from sure judgement ourselves.

In the end, is it better to have been right about someone, through judging their outside actions, only to lose our souls through our own judgement and condemnation, or to not judge anyone, recognizing their personal walk is with God? We ourselves, are we walking in forgiveness and mercy, through the bonds of love, to gain an heavenly estate? Simple question, but seemingly a hard decision for some to truly make.

Be blessed, be loved and be at peace.

~ Jonathan

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5 Comments

1. 

   Mikes

   April 29, 2009 • 1:44 pm

   
   
   

   I’m sure i have read this post somewhere else? did you have other blog?
   • 

     J. D. Payne

     April 29, 2009 • 2:49 pm

     
     
     

     Yes, it was called “A Deeper Faith” plust this post originally appeared at MeetChristians.com where I responded to a poset there….

     Blessings!
2. 

   J. D. Payne

   April 26, 2009 • 6:16 am

   
   
   

   I should never write when in distress… I think it could have been better said and clearer. I think I might revisit this. However I’m blessed to know it made sense to you all!

   Blessings
3. 

   mariwen

   April 26, 2009 • 1:30 am

   
   
   

   Very well said……It is always our motives that will determine and will bring us to the place where we would be in the end.
   We saw the progress but not the process, and so who are we to judge?
   Only God knows……and sees,and He sees us through our hearts only.

   Heart stirring article brother….carry on!!!
   And i am indeed blessed.
4. 

   RANDEE

   April 25, 2009 • 11:16 pm

   
   
   

   Oh man, you’ve nailed my heart on this matter perfectly.
   The scriptures on judgment can be taken out of context really easily if not looking at …well..the whole context.