Matthew 7: 1-6 Luke 6: 37-42

Luke 18: 9-14 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable…” * The Parable of The Pharisee & The Tax Collector

Matthew 9: 10-13 Jesus eats with tax collectors and “sinners” at Matthew’s house and is questioned about it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luke 7: 36-50 Jesus is thanked for His earlier kindness by a “sinful” woman who anoints Him with oil during dinner at a religious leader’s home.

Romans 2: 1-4 Building on Jesus’ “plank-eye” philosophy to judging others, Paul writes that to focus on the issues of others (without working on our own) is disrespectful to the grace of God: “Do you have contempt for the riches of God’s generosity, tolerance, and patience? Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is supposed to lead you to change your heart and life?” vs. 4

John 12: 47-48 47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

James 4:12 Romans 14:10 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.  But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt?  For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

even more so within the people of God There are MANY references throughout Scripture that we are to judge and discern things, especially about right and wrong… even more so within the people of God so as to keep the community holy.

Are you not to judge those inside? 1 Corinthians 5: 12-13 12 “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  13 God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you.’”

1 Thessalonians 5: 11-15 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing…Live in peace with each other.  And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,  but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”

In the church: we judge in the right way, which includes the right process, right information, and right spirit. We seek to restore people by recognizing the real issues, investing the necessary time to understand them, and searching our own hearts throughout the process.

Godly Judgment Tips 1.) Be humble 2.) Strive for accuracy 3.) Be gentle 4.) Be patient 5.) Keep confidentiality

but I remember two things:  “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.” John Newton