Ever been to court? Tradition, ritual, and deliberation are the ideals of the courtroom. Why? Because when we are accused of breaking the law or when we have a claim for compensation, we want a person who is fair, thoughtful, and wise presiding over the process that produces the verdict or judgment that will effect our lives and our freedom. Judges have a unique role in our society from which they act almost like kings, with amazing authority, and out of the reach of politics and influence of special interest groups, money, and public opinion. The judicial system relies on the integrity of the judges. Nobody wants to have their case heard in a court where a corrupt judge presides! There is a reason that the judicial process is so deliberate, even aggravatingly slow. Ever hear of something called 'the rush to judgment?' Judges want the parties to a dispute to assemble their case, to present the facts in an orderly and reasonable way, then he takes time to weigh the evidence, to carefully consider the material presented by each side. If a jury is involved, he tries to make certain that their work is done with no outside influences.
Contrary to popular opinion, the Church needs judges, too! Important issues arise that require a decision. Doctrinal questions come along that demand careful consideration. Sin arises in the lives of Believers that will corrupt the entire Body of Christ if not challenged and corrected. Disputes between sincere disciples crop up and only the intervention by others who are wise and fair can keep the peace! However, Jesus tells us - "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1, NKJV) So, what are we to do with that statement? He is reminding us that we are not to 'set up court' personally, handing down verdicts at our dining room table in a manner that is casual and uninformed!
Many is the person who has been hurt, sometimes terribly, by judgments proclaimed by self-appointed judges within the church. There are those who are quick to form an opinion despite having few facts on which to rely. There are those ready to bend the rules to favor themselves, or the wealthy, or the influential. A certain gracelessness is often in evidence that fails to appreciate the process justice, preferring instead to hand down a quick verdict and move on, no matter the consequences for some. This is what Jesus forbids among us! He does not tell us to set aside discernment. We cannot lose the ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong, truth and error, in the name of love.
In a word picture that must have provoked laughter in his audience, Jesus says, "Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3-4, NLT) When we jump to conclusions about another, when we wag our heads in disgust, and repeat a juicy morsel of unsubstantiated gossip, we place ourselves in the seat of the judge, but our judgment is flawed, hindered by our own lack of clear vision! Judgment in the Church is given to the mature, to those recognized as Elders because of their deep reverence for the Lord, their willingness to make difficult choices, and their love for justice more than their need for approval.
Are you critical of others?
Are you pointing the finger of accusation at this one or that one?
Are you deciding whose 'in' and whose 'out' based on your own personal preferences?
Stop, in the name of Love! (Sorry, Diana Ross, just had to use that line.) Leave judgment to those who are qualified to judge!
"It is written: "‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." (Romans 14:11-13, NIV)
No comments:
Post a Comment