GLEANINGS — August 3, A.D. 2014                                                                                                              The J Word

It is not a vulgar or crass word. It has more than four letters in its noun, verb, and adjective forms. Yet many in our society are terrified of what the noun means, dread being described by the adjective, and aim to avoid at all costs doing the action that the verb defines. 

That's JUDGMENT! You are so JUDGMENTAL! Oh no, no, no...I'm not JUDGING! 

One Scriptural precept that even unbelievers seem to know quite well was articulated by the Lord Jesus: "Judge not, that you be not judged." Sometimes they even  know next verse, "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" (Mathew 7:1,2). And His apostle echoed that instruction when he wrote (at Romans 2:1), "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."

Once again however, we must understand Scripture in light of Scripture. The Master also said "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." (John 7:24). 

Being our Master, Jesus doesn't make mere suggestions to us His disciples. He gives us commandments, promises, instructions, and many tangible proofs of His unfathomable love. Let's not overlook that His word, "Judge with righteous judgment" is an imperative. In other words, the Lord Himself and His servant Paul surely warn us against uninformed, corrupt, or superficial judgment, but God EXPECTS us to judge in a godly, righteous manner!

He expects us to uphold His good Law, keeping it lawfully as men who know we can never be justified by it. For example at Leviticus 19:15 we read, "You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor."

The Psalmist expresses His adherence to God's revealed judgments – "With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth" (Psalm 119:13 ). And he asks God to help him to be a good judge – "Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments" (Psalm 119:66 )

When a Pharisee by the name of Simon correctly answered a question Christ had put to him on the basis of a parable, Christ commended Simon, saying "You have rightly judged." (Luke 7:43) And He sternly rebuked a multitude for failing to exercise judgement, saying to them "...why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?" (Luk 12:57)

Finally, Holy Spirit inspired Paul upbraids the Corinthians for asking the unbelieving world to judge squabbles between Christian brothers, instead of settling them among themselves – "I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?" (1 Corinthians 6:5)

The J word. Be comforted, meek and tender soul so fearful to even speak it. Judgement is a good thing! To be described as a person of good judgment is an honor. Yes, God wants you to judge.