Should Christians Judge Other Religions and Beliefs?
Inside the Church of God, we, members, are prohibited by God from judging those who are outside our religion. Christians do not judge other religions. 1 Corinthians 5:13 (RSV) says,
God judges those outside. Drive out the wicked person among you.
Those that are outside the church, or those that are without, are judged by God. We, in the Church of God, judge among us; we judge our members, our ministers, our adherents in faith. Sometimes we are compelled by circumstances to judge our members – to drive away wicked members, to excommunicate them, to send them out of the Church – in our fulfillment of Biblical admonitions. 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (KJV) says,
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world
shall be judged by you, Are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that
pertain to this life?
In the Church, we judge things that pertain to this life only. It was written by the Apostle Paul that judgment concerning those that are outside the Church belongs to God. It is only God who could judge those that are outside the Church of God. But within the Church of God, we judge things that pertain to this life. For instance, if there are members who quarrel, or if there are differences among them, we deal with those matters. We address internal issues. And whenever we give judgment, we use the word of God as our basis. It is one of the requirements of God to Christians. 1 Corinthians 6:7, 5 (KJV) says,
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one
with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer
yourselves to be defrauded?
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise a man among you?
no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
The Apostle Paul was admonishing the Christians at Corinth that somebody must settle the issues among brethren in the Church. So we judge among ourselves. And if a brother or a sister in the Church had been found to be disobedient to the regulations of the Church of God and to the words of God in the Bible, this is what 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 (RSV) says,
11 But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the
name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater,
reviler, drunkard, or robber – not even to eat with such a one.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the
church whom you are to judge?
13 God judges those outside. Drive out the wicked person from among you.
That is the law in the Church. Even the Apostle Paul did not want to judge those who are outside. That was emphasized on verse 12, “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?” But to those who are outside the Church, God judges. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.” So, if there is someone in the Church who does not want to renew his life and he remains to be an idolater, a drunkard, an extortionist, an immoral, a reviler, or a robber, such a person is excommunicated. He/she is driven out of the Church. We are judging only those who are inside the Church; but those who are outside the Church, it is God who judges them. We, in the Church of God, believe that we do not have the right and the authority to judge those who are outside simply because:
1. We do not know them, they are outside the church!
2. We do not know what's in their heart. Only God does! Jeremiah 17:9-10 says,
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can
know it?
10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man
according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
God, who knows everything in the heart of a man, has the right to judge them! One thing we have to reconsider. By their doctrines and fruits, we may know them! Matthew 7:15-16 says,
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs
of thistles?
We can judge their doctrines whether right or wrong because we can compare them with the doctrines written in the Gospel. Ecclesiastes 7:27 says,
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find
out the account:
John 7:17-18 says,
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of
God, or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his
glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Any church doctrine must pass the test of the Gospel. Anything not written must be rejected. 1 Corinthians 4:6 (RSV) says,
I have applied all this to myself and Apol'los for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
Galatians 1:8 says,
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Thanks be to God!
ReplyDeleteVery timely topic
ReplyDelete.. Thanks be to God!
Amen
ReplyDeleteI say Amen to this. As usual thanks be to God for the understanding!
ReplyDeleteYes perfect . Tnx be to God
ReplyDeleteExposing the biblical truth is not judging anyone of their religions and beliefs...
ReplyDeleteOnce and for all, Bro. Eli exposing the biblical truth is not attacking any religion or belief..
ReplyDeleteSalamat sa Dios sa napaka Informative blog na ito, galing sa Napaka sensible preacher sa panahon ito..
ReplyDeleteAmen ! Thanks be to God!
ReplyDeleteTanx be to God Brother Eli!
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God for this article for the enlightenment of other religions who judge others'belief.
ReplyDeleteSpeak the truth even if youre accused with lies!
ReplyDeleteThe Biblical Truth will prevail above all religions on this planet.
ReplyDeleteSalamat sa Dios! This helps the brethren focus on ourselves so that we can become better doers of the word.
ReplyDeletewe know Gods doctrines, thats why we know who teaches lies. exposing liers based on thier doctrines is not judging. but showing people which is truth and which is lies. thanks be to God.
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God for the wisdom He bestowed upon our preacher Bro Eli...
ReplyDeleteYeah this is timely..those that are outside the church of God are claiming that we are judging them..but not really, we are only judging their doctrines if it conforms the gospel.
ReplyDelete