When can judgment be given

On many occasions I have been accused by people of judging. Many have told me to stop judging when I have spoken to them regarding correction or a warning according to what I read from scripture. Many times I would feel ashamed after speaking to them and also would question myself of not doing this in love!

I realize believers and normal people have been taught to be tolerant of something that is wrong. Tolerance of sin is the buzz word today and people get very upset when shown out.

According to scripture there are two ways of judging (rebuke, lecture, criticize, reproof): some parts say we not to judge and other parts say we are to judge.

Let me start of by looking at scripture that tell us to judge! “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” - John 7:24.

This verse does not tell us to make judgments but to rebuke those who make judgments according to their appearance, condemning that which Yahuah has not condemned. Example was when the Pharisees condemned Yahusha (Jesus) when He healed on the Sabbath. We should not judge by appearance but to judge righteously.

Read also Isaiah 11:3-4 for the judgment by the Messiah. And shall make Him breathe in the fear of Yahuah. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears. But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and shall decide with straightness for the meek ones of the earth, and shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and slay the wrong with the breath of His lips.

We as believers need to be conformed to the image of Yahuah and His Son, Yahusha (Jesus). In other words, right and wrong is not to be decided through what our physical senses report as it is weighed by our mind. It is with righteousness that judging and reproving are to be done.

What is righteousness?

Elohim is a righteous judge - Psalm 7:11.

For Yahuah is righteous, He has loved righteousness;.. - Psalm 11:7.

He is the source of righteous judgment. As we learn of His righteous judgments, we remove our own personnel judgments (as to how we hear and feel). If we walk in righteousness then our judgments will come from the source of Yahuah and not what we think is right or wrong.

The only acceptable judgment is that which finds its source in Yahuah. This is what Yahusha said in John 5:30: "I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

Yahusha judges according to Yahuah's will only.

Timothy judges in 2 Timothy 4:1-2. Timothy is been told to show out falsehood and those who are in error. Timothy judged by Yahuah's will to know what was false and what was true. Speak these matters, urge, and reprove (confute) with all authority. Let no one despise you - Titus 2:15.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 to believers to stay away from so-called believers who still live in sin. He further says to judge those so-called believers but not the un-believers as Yahuah will judge them. True believers is to discern who among them are immoral, covetous, idolaters, revilers, drunkards, or swindlers. This discernment was to be followed with action. If the person would not repent they were to be rebuked and the believer was not to even share a meal with such a one.

In these verses the message was to the believers who witnessed the presence of sin in the assembly and tolerated it, rather than exposed, confronted and dealt with. It is clear that sin should not be ignored or tolerated in the assembly but should be exposed. If they will not repent then they should be excluded from fellowshipping with believers. This was and still is required today to ensure that one rotten apple does not spoil all the apples (body of believers).

In 1 Timothy 1:19-20, Paul judges both Hymanaeus and Alexander for blasphemy in the assembly. Paul in verse 20 delivers these two over to satan so they do not blasphemy in the assembly any longer.

This he similarly did to the man who took his father’s wife for himself - 1 Corinthians 5:5.

In all of these scriptures we see that believers are taught to be discerning. Other scriptures exhort believers to examine the fruit of people’s lives to know whether their teaching/life is of Yahuah or not.

Judging of un-believers should be left over to Yahauh only and judging of believers (within the assembly) should be judged by authority only. The Almighty's authority!

The scriptures is our guidance and we can use the Word that has been written by people authorized by Yahauh, example; scripture tells us fornication is sin and the person commenting it may go to hell if he/she does not repent of this sin.

Clearly the judging comes by His word and not the person reading the word. Those who are filled with the Ruach (Holy Spirit) and walking a righteous life with Yahuah are required to judge.

Without Belief

Hebrews 11:6, But without belief it is impossible to please Him (Heavenly Father), for he who comes to Elohim (Almighty) has to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

Peter walked to Messiah on the water but when the wind came up, he doubted, and started to sink. And immediately Yahusha (Jesus) stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little belief, why did you doubt?" - Matthew 14:26-31.

Messiah said to His disciples "Why are you so afraid? Have you not yet belief?" This was when they woke Him up on the boat when the storm came up - Mark 4:36-40.

You cannot do anything without belief. Without belief, you will be lost. Yahuah says you cannot please Him if you have unbelief or doubt.

So then belief comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Elohim - Romans 10:17.

Belief is the substance of what is expected, the proof of what is not seen - Hebrews 11:1

WOW.

By belief, Abel offered a greater offering to Elohim.

By belief, Noah, was warned of something unseen, having feared, prepared an ark to save his house.

By belief, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go from his family to a far, unknown place.

By belief, Sarah had a baby at a very old age.

By belief, Abraham was prepared to offer his only son.

All above from  Hebrews 11:4-31.

Without belief, the people mentioned above would not have being blessed by Yahuah.

Yahusha Messiah said in Matthew 21:21-22, "Truly, I say to you, if you have belief and no doubt, you shall not only do what was done to the fig tree (verse 19-20), but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be thrown into the sea,' it shall be done. "And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."

We have to believe, really believe! If we truly believe, we would be able to see miracles and find healing through Yahusha.

HalleluYah.

Walking in flesh & Spirit

There is, then, now no condemnation (disapproval) to those who are in Messiah Yahusha (Jesus), who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit - Romans 8:1.

Believers in Messiah walk now in the Spirit which was given to them by Messiah when that person made that decision to walk with Him. You once walked in the flesh (without Messiah, in the world) but now you walk in the Spirit of Yahuah.

The law of the Spirit of the life in Messiah Yahusha has set me free from the law of sin and of death- verse 2.

Father's Torah (instructions/commandments) is weak in the flesh, that is why Father Yahuah sent His Son to condemn sin in the flesh, so that the righteousness of the Torah should be completed in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit - Rom 8:3-4.

The believers who live according to the flesh set their minds on the matters of the flesh, but the believers who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the matters of the Spirit, other words they listen and do what the Spirit tells them to do and not the man-made issues of the world (flesh).

A flesh mind is death but a Spirit mind is life and peace.

The mind of the flesh is enmity towards Elohim, because it does not subject itself to the Torah of Elohim, this is impossible (Rom 8:5-7).

Those in the flesh are unable to please Elohim - Rom 8:8 again said in Hebrews 11:6, But without belief it is impossible to please Him,.......

So, can you live in the flesh and in the Spirit?? Believers are in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of Elohim (Almighty Creator) dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, this one is not His (Elohim) - verse 9.

If Messiah is in you, the body is truly dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness - verse 10.

And if the Spirit of Him who raised Messiah from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Messiah from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit dwelling in you - Rom 8:11.

We are now not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - verse 12.

For if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live - Rom 8:13.

"This the last shall be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." - Matthew 20:16.

Those that are led by the Spirit of Elohim, these are children of Elohim - Rom 8:14.

You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out "Abba, Father." - Rom 8:15.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohim, and if children, also heirs - truly heirs of Elohim, and co-heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him, in order that we also be exalted together - Rom 8:16-17.

Courageous

Another week lies ahead and many of us will be going through trials, stress and disappointments (this is why I love the end of the week - Sabbath).

Abba Father told the Israelites in Joshua 1:9, to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, nor be discouraged, for Yahuah your Elohim is with you wherever you go."

Abba Father is saying this to us today, to be strong and courageous.

Lets pray for each other, lets support each other, let's take up the complete armour of Yahuah, so that you have the power to withstand whatever comes from this wicked world (Ephesians 6:13).

Remember, Messiah Yahusha (Jesus) made us a promise when He went to be with His Father in heaven, and He keeps His promises. He is preparing a place for us and He is coming back to fetch His bride.

All the trails we are going through is so much worth it for what is waiting for us.

Be courageous, only look up to Yahuah, pray that His Ruach Ha Kodesh (Set-apart Spirit or Holy Spirit) be with us, to guide us, to protect us, to love us and to teach us.

Pray when you sleep, pray when you work, when you drive, pray when you write exams, when you eat, when you stand, when you lie down, pray, do not stop praying. It is our connection line to the Almighty Creator.

Belief, we please Yahuah when we belief Him, when we rely on Him only, He loves it. My brothers and sisters, be courageous, pray for your loved ones, pray for me and pray for yourself.

Yahuah and His beloved Son Yahusha (Jesus) is hearing us, His alive and He has not forgotten us, He is still in total control of this universe.

Praise Him because He is coming soon to fetch us to an everlasting life with Him. Be courageous this week and all weeks going forward.

If Yahuah is with us, who can be against us, nobody my friend, nobody. Belief in Messiah Yahusha (Jesus).

True Vine

"I am the true vine (Messiah), and My Father is the gardener (Heavenly Father Yahuah) - John 15:1.

"Every branch (believer) in Me that bears no fruit He takes away. And every branch  (believer) that bears fruit He prunes (disciplines to increase truth), so that it bears more fruit - John 15:2.

Other words so called believers that do not live/obey Messiah's ways are removed from the vine who is Messiah. And true believers that follow Messiah truly and do as He asks will grow closer to Father and their relationship became stronger.

"Stay in Me, and I (Messiah) stay in you - John 15:4.

Believers are unable to bear fruit of oneself, unless they stay in Him. He who stays in Me (Messiah), and I in him, he bears many fruit. Because without Me you are able to do nothing! - John 15:5.

"If anyone does not stay in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up. And they gather them and throw them into the fire to burn - John 15:6.

"If you stay in Me, and My Words stay in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you - John 15:7.

NOTE: if you live the life of Messiah (His ways) and you do His commands/truth/will, then and then only, whatever you ask from Father, He will give you. You cannot just say a little pray and carry on sinning and then expect to get what you asked for.

Messiah gives the requirements/standard for getting what you ask for.

Messiah says that you would able to stay in Him, if you keep His commands in His love, because He has guarded His Father's commands and stay in His love - John 15:10.

We must do as what Messiah did, then we will receive what we asked for.

Rewards for works

"For the Son of Adam (Messiah) is going to come in the esteem of His Father with His messengers (Angels), and then He shall reward each according to his work - Matthew 16:27.

"And he who falls on this stone shall be broken, but on whomever it falls, he shall be pulverised (reduce to fine particles, crush, crumble, turn to dust) - Matthew 21:44.

And loving-commitment is Yours, O Yahuah (Heavenly Father); for You reward each one according to his work - Psalms 62:12.

If you say, "See, we did not know this," would not He (Father) who weighs the hearts discern it? (Father knows your heart) He who watches over your life, would He not know it? And shall He not repay man according to his work? - Proverbs 24:12.

"Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have practiced evil matters, to a resurrection of judgment - John 5:28-29.

For by favor (grace) you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast (pride, self-satisfaction). For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yahusha unto good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them - Ephesians 2:8-10.

We should not use this gift that Messiah gives us to be prideful, example looking down at people or thinking we are better than other people, we should be servants, not use people to serve us.

So we also make it our aim to be well-pleasing to Him, whether being at home, or being away from home. For we all have to appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, in order for each one to receive according to what he has done in the body, weather good or evil - 2 Corinthians 5:9-10.

Show yourself to them an example of good works in all matters - Titus 2:7.

Our Saviour Yahusha Messiah, who gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people, His own possession, ardent (passionate) for good works - Titus 2:13-14.

 

My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief  but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him. And if a brother or sister is naked and in need of daily food, but one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warned and be filled," but you do not give them the bodily needs, what use is it? So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead - James 2:14-17.

"And see, I (Messiah) am coming speedily, and My  reward is with Me, to give to each according to his work - Revelation 22:12.

There will be rewards for works of belief. Walking the walk.