January 21, 2009 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Judging Problems Among Christians
"When you have something against another Christian, how can you bring yourself to go before judges who are not right with God? Why do you not let God's people decide who is right? Surely you know that God's people will judge the world. So if you are to judge the world, are you not able to judge small cases as well? You know that in the future we will judge angels, so surely we can judge the ordinary things of this life. If you have ordinary cases that must be judged, are you going to appoint people as judges who mean nothing to the church? I say this to shame you. Surely there is someone among you wise enough to judge a complaint between believers. But now one believer goes to court against another believer--and you do this in front of believers. Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God's kingdom. Do not be fooled. Those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, those who are male prostitutes, or men who have sexual relations with other men, those who steal, are greedy, get drunk, lie about others, or rob--these people will not inherit God's kingdom. In the past, some of you were like that, but you were washed clean. you were made holy, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Spirit of our God. 1Corinthians 6:1-11

This passage is mainly about being a hypocrite!!! I admit, I have a problem with judging...or maybe a lot of is criticizing...I critique like everything...people, places, food, things...etc. I believe everyone has problems with judging...especially among Christians. What we don't realize is that we are such big hypocrites. We judge someone for doing something while we might do the same thing or something worse. For example, we might judge a christian for smoking, yet attending church...just cuz they're smoking doesn't mean they're not a christian...better yet, they might even be a better christian than you. Alongside, you might be a drinker...whether it be social or at a party...how would you judge somebody for smoking and coming to church if you drink regularly and come to church?

A lot of times, I hear that some christians are afraid to show who they really are in front of other christians. Just because they feel like they will be judged and looked down upon. We all judge each other, but who gives us the right to judge anybody? God made us all unique in His image. Each and every single person is precious to God no matter what. Currently I'm reading a book called "Becoming a Contagious Christian" by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittleberg. One of the first chapters in the book is called 'People Matter To God.' In this chapter, they talk about different people, both christians and non-christians...stating that both matter to God equally. It also mentions short narratives on how the authors encountered times where they were given the opportunity to love someone who everybody else rejected. It's hard not to judge because we're so proned to doing it. Society sets a standard. There are stereotypes everywhere...even in christianity.

This passage states that people who do wrong will be judged before God's Kingdom. We are all sinners...we all do things we shouldn't but becoming believers, we received salvation. We have been washed from our sins through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Our job is to not judge those who do wrong, but to help the unbelievers and those who do wrong come to Christ and also be washed clean.