I stayed
out of things in the judgment post until now because I wanted to see
how things unfolded. I think it is time to wade back in. First I want
to thank Geppy for coming by and adding to this discussion. Now onto
the meat of things.
Lets see
if I have things right so far. It breaks down into two camps. The
first believing that there is no place for and individual to make a
judgment about whether or not someone is committing a sin, and that
making that judgment is in fact sin our our part. The second being
the camp that states that an individual may judge if another
individuals actions are sinful under specific circumstances. Those
circumstances being that we have our own affairs in order and that we
are willing to be judged by that same measuring stick. Am I right so
far? I do believe that I am. Just for full disclosure I fall into
that second camp.
With
that said, for those who do not know me I am a stickler for
scriptural accuracy. Meaning that you make an argument about
scripture back it up. I am open to changing my position if you can.
Be prepared to be challenged and be willing to change your position
if I can prove my case. Do not bring me an emotional argument as it
will fall on deaf ears.
So let
me tackle a little bit of inaccuracy to begin with from our new
friend Geppy (nothing personal, I am an equal opportunity picker)
“Second
is the Church. The Church body is responsible to judge whether one of
its members is living a continous sin for which he/she is
unrepentent. After attempting to get this person to repent (70×7)
and the person will not repent, then the Church should put the person
out of the Church so as to not bring judgement from Jesus on the
entire body. (Note: this does not give one Church body the right to
judge another Church body; this judgement is restricted to an
organization of people – a community.)â€
Lets
start with the 70 X 7 thing. The reference to 70 X 7 has nothing to
do with repentance it has to do with one individual forgiving another
who has wronged him. It was basically a statement about the fact we
are always to forgive those who cause us harm. I guess if you are anal enough to keep track of someone wronging you 490 times you could make a case, but then if you are keeping track is really forgiveness? Repentance on the
other hand is a single act of contrition. It is a turning away from
sin unto rightness with G_d.
Church
discipline is a whole other ball of wax. The point that is being
stated here is in fact the final part of a three step approach. Each
of the steps before it require that a judgment is made, first by an
individual and then by a group of three. The first step in this
process refutes Geppy’s argument that individuals are never to make a
judgment. Church discipline is not about keeping a church body out of
disfavor with G_d as much as it is about bringing an unrepentant
brother back into fellowship with his Savior.
I think
that at this point I need to be clear about what judgment is. First,
as Billy D stated, judgment is not condemnation. Judgment is an
evaluation. (i.e. Is it right or is it wrong?) Condemnation is when
that judgment is taken and acted upon in a negative manner. (i.e.
Telling someone they are vile, evil, and will rot in hell because
they did something wrong.) Do you see the difference? Judgment is
required in order to help our brother lift himself out of the mire he
has gotten into. It is a warning that states “Do not go that way
for death is there†If we truly love our brethren then we have an
obligation to help them in their need, and that includes lovingly
helping them turn from the sin in their lives
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