We Must Judge, Not Punish

Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, regarding the issue of same-sex relationships, recently said that he would not judge those involved in homosexuality. I agree if by that he means he would not render punishment. Physical harm, malice, prejudice regarding the basic necessities of life, and exclusion from attendance in church would not be a just response by Christians toward these folks. 

I have felt impressed of the Lord that judgement should be understood in two ways: God's righteous judgement toward man and man's unrighteous judgement toward his fellow man. Righteous judgement coming from the One who KNOWS the hearts of men; unrighteous judgement coming from those who "know in part" (1 Corinthians 13:12) and therefore render inefficient and harmful sentences, spiritually speaking. Unrighteous judgement often is a cloak for self-willed self service and bitter envy, not motivated by the One who knows love completely.

Yet, Paul said (1 Corinthians 11:31), "if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged". Do you see the difference between critical assessment of a situation and punishment? "If we would critically assess ourselves, we would not be punished". "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED. But he who is spiritual judges (assesses) all things, yet he himself is rightly judged(punished) by no one". We in Christ are called to judge (spiritually discern) all things. It is through Spiritual discernment that our steps are rightly ordered: we suppress not the truth and clearly see and understand His invisible attributes, even His eternal power and Godhead (Romans 1:20). If we punish not, assuming our righteous place in Him, those who believe not will have the chance to repent. Those who are outside will be without excuse for they will see the King of Righteousness among His people. 

It's Not About You?

Sounds soooo spiritual. In context, it NEEDS to be more about you so it can be more about others. Saints and lost alike need to see the righteous behaving more like Jesus Christ. We must be willing to go on to completion in Him, who desires to build us up into a spiritual house for His dwelling in His fullness!


Until recently, a baseball pitcher who could effectively battle throughout the entire game, completing it, was worth a lot to a team. From a baseball perspective, he did not have to win as long as he kept his team in the game, but, many times, the pitcher remained in the game because he was overwhelming the opposition. A complete game would give rest to the other pitchers on the team... I would rejoice to see more brethren who are able to punish all disobedience as their obedience is being fulfilled; those who are able to help the team (others) to maturity. If a pitcher has not been able to complete the sixth inning (spiritually speaking) how can he help others to do so?


James 1:2,3 reads, "brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (perseverance). But let perseverance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and COMPLETE, lacking nothing".


2 Peter 1:4-11 shows us that "great and precious promises have been given to us" and that through these we "may be partakers of the divine nature". This happens by "adding to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge self control, and to self control perseverance, and to perseverance godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren (useless!) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". 
Do we add these things by going to a christian store and downloading the software to our christian souls? We ask of Him, because He is the author and finisher of ALL THESE THINGS! He reveals Himself to us because we ask in faith, nothing doubting, not willing to go back to or stay weak; "becoming COMPLETE" in Him? (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Go to This People and Say...

The Acts of the Apostles 28: 26, 27


"The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 'Go to this people and say: "Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive; For the hearts of this people (the Jewish people in this instance) HAVE GROWN DULL. Their ears are HARD OF HEARING, and their eyes THEY HAVE CLOSED, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." ' "


The Jewish people were and are God's chosen people: chosen to propagate those who would be the bible story. We know that Jesus Christ was born of a Jewish girl. All the patriarchs were of Jewish lineage. They also experienced His mighty supernatural hand. They were, of all peoples on the earth, best prepared to receive Jesus the Messiah. They thought His kingdom would manifest differently than it did. Instead of immediately wiping out their adversaries, He informed them they should love, bless, pray for and do good to them; He said they must lay down their lives for these "friends". I can only imagine what startling breath Jesus provided to stench of sin of that time. It must have been amazing to see and hear of all the good He did for the Jewish people. Yet they closed their ears, eyes and hearts from Him. We, who have not been born into the Jewish lineage, have been provided for as well- Paul left those in the twenty-eighth chapter to tell the Gentiles of Jesus Christ. The prophetic words that came through Paul will judge us as well.