“—you are gods—” (John 10:34)
Those who are born again are called to judge. In the first part of this series, we noted that we need to take care of how we judge and let truth be the judge rather than ourselves. In the second, proper judgment requires time, information, and integrity. The final judgment will be in our Lord’s time. In the third, churches need standards of behavior. We need to let God judge outsiders.
The above quote from John’s Gospel account is taken from Psalm 82:6. There, the Psalmist laments the lack of justice in Israel. In it, Asaph views God as sitting in judgment of His representatives on earth who were failing to judge His people correctly. It is in this vein that Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6, warns against taking one’s neighbor to court before unbelieving judges.
We live in a litigious society. The term “lawfare” has become a common term, suggesting the use of law to achieve one’s objectives rather than pursuing justice. Paul’s admonition warns against this. However, there are times when going to court cannot be avoided. Do you have automobile insurance? Have you read the fine print? Jesus addresses this same issue in Matthew 5:21-26.
Judging is a necessary part of life. In this series, the purpose has been to warn against improper judging. God has called us to judge by His standards and, at times, in His stead until the time when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will judge the nations and we will judge with Him. (1 Cor 6:3)
In verse 3, an interesting term requires highlighting. The term is translated as matters of this life (Gk. biotikos). The root term is bios, meaning the physical life we live now under the sun. Biotikos is repeated in verse 4. Human judges who are outside the faith judge matters of this life. Believers should be much more qualified than they are to judge matters of this life. We should be the judges rather than them. (see my book)
God has called us to Himself as a body of believers to judge and discipline each other. These terms seem harsh in our individualistic Christianity today. However, Paul speaks boldly here in terms that are also sharp and harsh to his readers. The doctrine of our God depends upon our being righteous judges (Tit 2:10). Spreading the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ depends upon our being righteous judges.
Numerous texts in the New Testament provide insight and instruction on when and how to judge. I have spent years studying the subject to help churches make informed decisions through proper discernment. Most churches avoid the topic. Those who attempt it often fail to understand the fundamental New Testament foundation of biblical judgment. We are at a time in history when we must become righteous judges of one another that we may adorn the doctrine of our God. (1 Peter 2:10)