In this study we shall learn about legalism and judging. I hear people say phrases like,"Your just being legalistic", or "We are not to judge our brother". Most of the time that people use these phrases they are doing so incorrectly and ignorantly. My purpose then is to enlighten readers on the scriptual meaning of leaglaism and judging.
To those of you who are currently practicing such, that if you are to be able to practice the truth of God's word that follows, you will need to have a humble spirit. Remember what God's word says, "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth." (Prov. 10:17) So cast off your pride and doctrines of men, that you may receive with meekness the engrafted word that is able to save your souls.
I shall begin with the following text:
Gal 2:4
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (KJV)
In this verse the false brethren are believed to be Judaizing Christians, or persons who claimed to be Christians and to have been converted from Judaism. Whether they were dissemblers and hypocrites, or whether they were so imperfectly acquainted with Christianity, and so obstinate, opinionated, and perverse, though really in some respects good men, that they were conscientious in this, it is not easy to determine. Why did they do such things? Because they did not like that Paul had people practicing different doctrines than they and they were trying to bring it to a stop and have the believers follow after their doctrines that would bring them under bondage to follow the law. Now take a minute to examine yourself. Do you try to convince others that the way that they worship or serve the Lord is wrong because it is different than your own beliefs or opinions? If so, then you may not be much different than the Judaizing Christians.
Next is an example that we can examine a few verses later.
Gal 2:11-16
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (KJV)
Here it is seen that Peter feared the Jews. Why Peter feared them cannot be determined from scripture, but as we look at the life of Peter in the scriptures we see that it is not an uncommon characteristic for him. One thing that can be noted from Peter's behavior is that it brought division to the Body of Christ that was not according to the gospel. Peter was compelling the Gentile believers to live as Jews, possibly teaching them that in order to obtain salvation they need to be circumcised, observe the Jewish feasts, abstain from certain meats and drinks, and other peculiar customs. Paul rightly rebuked Peter because he was hindering the work of the gospel in the Gentiles, changing the gospel for fear of the Jews. Are you like Peter? Are you compelling others to follow a way other than the gospel?
Let's take a closer look into some of these customs that were commonly told incorrectly to the earily church believers that they must do.
Gal. 4:9-10
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. (KJV)
Paul was surprised that the believers had turned away from the true God to observe the weak and beggarly elements, that is, to observe the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law. They are called "weak" because they had no power to save the soul; no power to justify the sinner before God. They are called "beggarly, because they could not impart spiritual riches.
The days here that Paul referred to are no doubt the days of the Jewish festivals. The months refer to the festivals of the new moon. The times refer to the festivals that return periodically, such as the passover, the feast of Pentecost, and the feast of tabernacles. The years refer to the sabbatical year, or the year of jubilee. Christians are not commanded to keep the Jewish festivals. We should observe as seasons of holy time, as celebrations, or as holidays what it can be proved God has commanded us, and no more. If a fellow believers observance of a particular celebration or holiday which is not found written in God's holy word is different than yours there is no reason to compel them to do it your way. If it doesn't lead to immorality, and they glorify God in it, then they are fine! God has acknowledged them as his, not-withstanding their opinions on these subjects, so we also ought to recognize them as well (Rom.14:3).
Notice this also:
Col. 2:16
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (KJV)
Since you have been freed from the observances of the law, let no one sit in judgment on you, or claim the right to decide for you in those matters. You are not responsible to man for your conduct, but to Christ; and no man has a right to impose that on you.
Mt. 7:1-5
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (KJV)
There are many in the body of Christ that misquote verse one by saying "judge not". They tell people that they are not to judge others. While that is true in respect to the items mentioned in this study, there are items that we are to judged.
Now what Jesus refers to here is a habit of forming a judgment or giving one's opinion in a private manner hastily, harshly, and without an allowance for every little circumstance, and of expressing such an opinion harshly and unnecessarily when formed. In other words, if your brother does something that in your opinion, or judgment is wrong but does not violate the moral law of God, it may very well be in your best interest and your brothers also, to keep your own opinion or judgment to yourself.
Jesus, in verse two, basicly said that you shall be judged by the same rule which you apply to others. The meaning is, that we are much more quick and acute to judge of small offences in others, than of much larger offences in ourselves. Even a very small object that should hinder the vision of another, we should discern much more quickly than a much larger one in our own sight. This was a proverb in frequent use among the Jews, and the same sentiment was common among the Greeks.
Jesus directs us to the proper way of forming an opinion of others, and of reproving and correcting them. By first amending our own faults, or casting the beam out of our eye, we can consistently advance to correct the faults of others. There will then be no hypocrisy in our conduct. The beam, the thing that obscured our sight, will be removed; and we shall more clearly discern the small object that obscures the sight of our brother. The sentiment is, that the readiest way to judge of the imperfections of others is to be free from greater ones ourselves. This qualifies us for judging, makes us free from prejudice and consistent, and enables us to see things as they are, and to make proper allowances for frailty and imperfection.
I know of some in the Body of Christ that are troubled by this. They are quick to point out others weakness and tell them what they need to do according to scripture. But when it comes to their own life, these same principles from scripture don't seem to apply. They are hearers of the word, and not doers as the scriptures teach.
James 1:21-25
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (KJV)
It is implied here, that by merely hearing the word but not doing it, a person would deceive their own souls. The nature of this deception is that they would imagine that was all which was required of them, whereas the main thing was that they should be obedient. If a man supposes that by listen to the preaching of the word or a respectful attention to it, he has done all that is required of him, he is labouring under a most gross self-deception. And yet there are multitudes who seem to imagine that they have done all that is demanded of them when they have heard attentively the word preached. But of its influence on their lives, and its claims to obedience, they are utterly regardless. They may talk the talk to others, but when it comes to living it themselves, they are unable to walk the walk. Look at yourself. Could people say this of you?
Later in the book of James he shows us what our lives should be like in this respect.
James 2:14,24
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (KJV)
Here we see that James shows the importance of a practical attention to the duties of religion, and the assurance that men cannot be saved by a mere opinion, speculative or merely by holding correct sentiments. There's no doubt that he had in mind those who abused the doctrine of justification by faith, by holding that good works are unnecessary to salvation, provided they maintain an accepted belief. James asserts that faith would not "profit" at all unless accompanied with a holy life, and this doctrine he proceeds to illustrate in the following verses.
In order to a proper interpretation of this passage, it should be observed that the stand-point from which James views this subject is not before one is converted, inquiring in what way that they may be justified before God, or on what ground their sins may be forgiven; but it is after one is converted, showing that faith can have no value which is not followed by good works; that is, that it is not real faith, and that good works are necessary if a man would have evidence that he is justified. The meaning here is, that that faith which does not produce good works, or which would not produce holy living if fairly acted out, will save no man, for it is not genuine faith. All that James says is in accordance with what is taught elsewhere in the New Testament.
No man will be justified who has not a faith which will produce good works, and which is of an operative and practical character. The ground of justification in the case is faith, and that only; the evidence of it, the carrying it out, the proof of the existence of the faith, is good works; and thus men are justified and saved not by mere abstract and cold faith, but bya faith necessarily connected with good works, and where good works perform an important part. James does not deny that a man is justified in the sight of God by faith, for the very passage which he quotes shows that he believes that; but he does deny that a man is justified by a faith which would not produce good works, and which is not expressed by good works; that nothing else than a holy life can show that a man is a true Christian, and is accepted of God.
You may be asking by now, what things are we to judge, or what is not okay for a believer to do? That is what I will show you now.
1 Cor. 5:9-13
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (KJV)
Here Paul tells us that we are not to associate with anyone who says that they are a believer and persists in fornication, or is coveteous, or has idols in their hearts, One that uses harsh and bitter words; one whose characteristic is to abuse others; and wound their feelings, or a drunkard. The smallest sin indulged in will spread corruption through the whole body. So it is important for the church to put away such people for the sake of the purity of the church. Now this doesn't mean that when we see a brother or sister persist in a sin that we are to take note and avoid them, unless we have confronted them about that sin as instructed in Galatians 6:1-2 and Matthew 18:15-17.
Gal. 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)
In Galatians Paul gives a list of what he refers to as "the works of the flesh". Now they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. The first four manifestations that are mentioned deal with sexually immoral behaviour. Then there is idolatry. Then there's witchcraft (a drug, the ministering of drugs), but the sorcerers monopolized the word for a while in their magical arts and used it in connection with idolatry. Then he mentions personal animosities, strife (rivalry, discord), jealousies, wraths (stirring emotions, then explosions), factions (party spirit), divisions, heresies, envyings (feelings of ill-will). Drunkenness, revellings (old word also for drinking parties).
These are the things that God desires for us to judge in our fellow brothers and sisters. Those things that if one does them they shall not inherit the kingdom of God, because they are not of the nature of God. Remember if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor 5:17)
Rom. 1:18-2:11
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God. (KJV)
O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Does this ring a bell to you? Are you practicing such things?
Do you know God's requirements? I'm sure you do. If not, it could very well be that your pastor hasn't preached unto you the whole counsel of God's word. Maybe they where ashamed of the gospel, or afraid of offending you. Either way it is not good for them. But today is your day, "While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." (Heb 3:15) The Spirit of God is calling you today "saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt 3:2) "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (Jn 16:8-11)
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2Cor 13:5) Are you given over to the items mentioned here in Romans 1 and 2? Do you commit such things that are worthy of death? Not only do you do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them? If so, then youare "inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." (Rom 2:1)
Rom.2:21-24
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. (KJV)
Do you practice what you preach to others? Do the same rules, doctrines, traditions apply to you? Or can it be said of you:
Mt. 15:8-9
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (KJV)
Can it be said of you what Jesus said unto the scribes and Pharisees?
Mt. 23:3
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (KJV)
Again I ask, do you practice what you preach?
Mt 7:24-27
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (KJV)
Please make sure that you are a wise man. Listen to the Word of God and do it. Don't be as seed by the way side who understandeth not. Nor as the seed in stony places who is offended by the Word. Nor as the seed among thorns who is choked by the cares of this world. But be the seed in good ground.
Mt 13:19-23
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (KJV)
This I say, that you, yes even you may be a seed planted in something other than good ground. So examine yourself, lest you think yourself to be something, when you are nothing.
Col 2:20-23
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (KJV)
Are you as the Colossians, being subject to ordinances, which are just commandments and dotrines of men? Telling other that they are not to touch, taste, or handle things that you deam are "unclean", "pagan", or "not well pleasing unto the Lord". These things are fruitless as far as the Lord is concerned. Jesus is concerned with the condition of our heart as can be seenin the following verses:
Col 3:5-10
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (KJV)
Jesus desires for us to put off the old man with his deeds (verses 5-9), and to put on the new man. If you long to do that which is well pleasing unto the Lord then, touch not fornication; taste not lies or filthy communication; handle not idolatry; but if you do stumble along the way remember that if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 Jn 2:1-2)
I will close with these verses:
Eph.4:17-5:10
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (KJV)
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