James 4:11-12, 5:19-20; Tearing down strongholds for the sake of sanctification.
Thesis; Judging others for the sake of what?
Introduction; As we continue to work through the book of James, which could be sub-titled; The New Testament Proverbs, we subsequently come to an often misunderstood concept found within Bible. The issue of the command of not judging is formed in two distinct ways; we are not to judge, or/and we judge that which we are not qualified. James is dealing here with later of misuse of judgment. Which we will look at the implications of, and consider how wrongly interpreted it can lead to a problem on the other side of judging others. James has written this letter to a dominantly Completed-Jewish audience with a sprinkling of gentile believers. In the greeting he refers to them as the twelve tribes in the Dispersion (vs.1). They were going through various trials, facing persecution from unconverted Jews, and gentile alike. James congratulates them for their perseverance in the face of all these trials, for their proving of genuine faith. Yet for the past two chapters James seems to be rebuking for sin that they have not yet dealt with. Implying two thoughts; we even as born again believers of Christ will always have to deal with sin in this life, and secondly so will others.
1.The unrighteous use of the law.
A great issue within the early church was with Jewish Christians use of legalism, and the pagan gentile background and use of anti-nomism. Many of the Jewish believers were inclined to use their knowledge of the law to place undo burdens on those whom did not come from that particular background. Paul dealt with that with the Judiazers, and James deals with it here. Verse 11a; James is dealing empathetically with the believers within the church, he stresses with the term "one another". Even though the church at this point is made up of those with a predominate Jewish background, the Gospel is being spread, and many from dissimilar backgrounds are coming to faith in Christ. The word in the Greek is; "Katalaeite" which taken literally is; slander. It is a broad term that also implies; making false charges that damage reputation. So, in speaking evil within this context, is using the truth of God's Word, namely His law and setting it against someone for the purpose of destroying them.
-In what ways could unrighteous judgment be passed?
* Not conforming what we may think would be the proper outward religious experience.
* Outward appearance, cultural,and/or ethnic background.
* Rules imposed on an interpretation of Scripture but not warranted by Scripture.
2. What is the result of unrighteous judgment?
It harms those whom which is being set against, and also severs and divides the church. Many have been ostracized and disillusioned by those whom make it a point to destroy the work God is doing in their life as opposed to being encouraged and built up in the faith by their brothers and sisters in Christ. *Secondly; The person or persons whom take the law into their hands to pass judgment, do that which they are not qualified. James writes in the second part of verse (11b), is quite complicated and very clarifying at the same time. James says that; those whom presume to pass unrighteous judgment and speaks evil of a brother, may therefore not be converted themselves. This is taken from the use of James repeating what he stated in 1:22-24. If you habitual tear down others you are not a doer of the law. You use the law of God to pass unrighteous judgment on others and then turn, setting it aside in regards to your own conscious . This is a warning from James for those whom make it a point to speak against one another.
*How do we do it? We have actually become really good at passing judgment in subtle ways. It begins with us saying something in judgment against someone, and then we will end it with; "well its not up to me to judge". This is always hurtful to the one we speak of and more to ourselves. We develop a tendency to look down on others all the while we become smug, self-righteous , and prideful.
3. Who has the right to pass judgment?
People cannot pass true judgment because we are not omni-benevolent, nor are we omniscient. Verdicts of someones justification is always judged by God. To truly be able to judge you must be able to pass verdict (Vs.12a). "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand"-Deuteronomy 32:39. We appoint human judges to serve out the law that we establish, and they judge by our law. There is no one other than God that has the right to make judgment by the supreme law that he has decreed. By the law we are saved by the imputation of Christ's perfect obedience to it, or we are destroyed by our rebellion against it. *The word destroy is from "apollumi", which is does not refer to complete annihilation but to an eternal destruction.
4. All things considered.
So are we to never pass judgment on someone? In this way that James speaks of, no we are not. This is the second issue, this text can be misused to the other degree as well. We might think that since we are not to judge, we should not say anything that might seem judgmental. This type of thinking leads to passive, non-confrontational, wishy washy Christianity. A key point to remember is; what is our motivation? Why am I motivated to speak to someone in such a way that I may come across judgmental? Love, mercy, urgency, and care for another's true life, this is what we should be motivated by. It is of great importance that we bring others from sinful destructive lifestyles to God's glorious light. (5:19-20) Paul wrote to Timothy that he should ".....reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. -2Tim. 4:2
*Keep all things in perspective, our best works are filthy rags, we are saved by grace alone so that no one may boast. Verse 12b reminds us of our place in the big picture. If we understand the source of our salvation we should therefore have no problem confronting others with out being condescending or hypocritical. For the sake of others we engage them with all humility, urgency for the sake of their eternal destiny.
"For it is written, As I live says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block of hindrance in the way of a brother." -Romans 14:11-13
Those rooted deep in the faith should protect the young saplings from the high winds that may uproot, and stabilize the soil to prevent erosion into the world. Keeping in mind to never be so overbearing to block out the Son. Amen
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