Bethany Lutheran Church

1 Corinthians | To Judge or Not to Judge

October 08, 2023 Pastor Martin Danner
Bethany Lutheran Church
1 Corinthians | To Judge or Not to Judge
Show Notes

Human judgment and God’s judgment are fundamentally different things. Culture confuses this and so do churches. We are not to assume the role of judge and jury of the world. Judgment is a tricky thing we want to encourage each other in Christ to be faithful and let God be the ultimate judge of creation. It can be unnerving but if God is a just judge then we accept what he calls us to and trust that he will bring justice in other parts of creation.

1 Corinthians 4:5-7, 5:6-13 (ESV)
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.