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Qualifications of a Godly Judge
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul admonishes the Corinthians for failing to judge matters among themselves, instead seeking arbitration from the unrighteous. He emphasizes that it is their responsibility to learn to judge, reminding them of their future role in judging the world and even angels. Paul questions whether there is not someone wise among them to settle disputes, underscoring the seriousness of their preparation for such significant responsibilities. He urges them to start preparing for this great task ahead, as they are being groomed for judgment in God's Kingdom. The implication is clear that godly judges must meet certain qualifications to fulfill their roles in His Kingdom. If Paul criticizes the Corinthians for relying on the unrighteous for earthly matters, it follows that God desires only the most qualified judges for the weightier matters of His Kingdom. These qualifications include a deep understanding of God's Word, akin to professional competence, where decisions must be based on His law and principles, often requiring diligent study and discernment to apply biblical truths to various situations. Additionally, godly judges must possess unimpeachable character, far surpassing mere integrity, striving for holiness and being without blame, as they are called to be saints, set apart and different. They must judge with righteous judgment, seeking not their own will but the will of the Father in heaven, ensuring they are prepared for the roles awaiting them in His Kingdom.
Judging Our Brothers
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe limitations of human judgment are evident when evaluating others based on incomplete observations. A person's field of perception is too narrow and subjective, conditioned by personal characteristics and experiences, making fair judgment nearly impossible. God forbids passing judgment or handing down a sentence against another, as it oversteps into His domain as Judge. While discerning right from wrong is necessary, condemning a person as incorrigible is forbidden. Such judgment often stems from a desire to elevate or justify oneself, offering no spiritual value. Human beings, as sinners under judgment, are disqualified from judging others with the fairness of God. Until freed from the flesh and having lived a life of overcoming, individuals lack the capacity to judge others' lives adequately. Passing judgment based on limited perspective is futile and vain, as even self-judgment is not justified, for salvation comes by grace through faith, not personal assessment. Many things judged in others are trivial or merely differences in approach, often insignificant in the long term. Focusing on these to the point of condemnation is unwarranted. Instead, humility, gentleness, and longsuffering should guide interactions, bearing with one another in love, as Christ forgave. Love, kindness, and forgiveness are to be prioritized, allowing the peace of God to rule in hearts. There is no clear rule for when one crosses into passing judgment, but it is an area of caution. It is futile due to human inadequacy and dangerous as it usurps the prerogative of the Father and Christ as Judges. Careful study of God's Word is essential to discern responsibility and the proper approach to brothers in Christ when such situations arise.
Judgment, Tolerance, and Correction
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe subject of judging is often complex, yet it is an essential part of life. Judging involves seeing, hearing, reading, sifting, calculating, reckoning, comparing, and evaluating evidence to form an opinion or decision. This process is vital, occurring frequently in daily life as we assess quality, cost, value, safety, danger, ethics, or morality. The quality of our judgments significantly impacts the quality of our lives, and being well-prepared to make sound judgments increases the likelihood of success. God calls us to judge, as seen in various scriptures. In I Corinthians 6:2, it is clear that saints will judge the world, indicating that Christians must engage in judging even in smaller matters. Revelation 5:10 further reveals that we will become kings and priests, roles that inherently involve judging within their respective domains. God would not call us to judge in His Kingdom without expecting us to prepare for such responsibility in our Christian lives. However, there is a danger in judging, which lies in the quality of our judgments and the actions taken based on them. Jesus commands in John 7:24 to judge with righteous judgment, highlighting the need for correct standards. Misguided judgments, such as those made by the Jews who thought Jesus had a demon, demonstrate the consequences of judging by wrong standards. Our carnality can distort our judgment of others in whom Christ lives, making us ill-equipped to recognize godly qualities or understand the factors in another's conduct. Care must be taken in judging, as outlined in Matthew 7:1-5. Before criticizing a brother, we should examine ourselves against Christ's standard, which often reveals our own flaws and humbles us to approach others in the right spirit. Human limitations prevent us from knowing all facts or the whole person, and our built-in biases can color our judgment, making impartiality nearly impossible. Only God possesses the oversight, insight, experience, wisdom, and love to make completely fair judgments. Therefore, while we must judge, we are to do so lovingly, thoughtfully, and considerately, using the standards of God's Word and Family to ensure righteous judgment.
Judging in the Church
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Human nature is strongly competitive and full of pride, making judgment inherently problematic. Nevertheless, God wants us to learn to judge with equity.
What's So Bad About Busybodies?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Bible lists busybodies with murderers and robbers. We must learn to operate in our appointed spheres of responsibility and not take the job of another.
Matthew (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEntering the Kingdom requires choosing the narrow, difficult path of sacrifice, service, and humility over the easy, broad path of selfishness.
John (Part Fourteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe overriding motivation for the individuals bringing to Jesus the woman caught in adultery was to trap Him, impaling Him on the horns of a dilemma.
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAre we ready, at this stage in our spiritual growth, to apply chapter and verse all the biblical principles that apply to a case?
Deuteronomy and History
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Israelites lost their identity when they went into captivity. They failed to teach their children, to keep the Sabbath, and to remember who they were.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Many of God's servants, including Elijah and Jeremiah, had their crises of faith, desiring to flee from their responsibilities and commitments.