Christians As Prophetic Judges

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Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?
1Co 6:3

Most debate about moral judgment in our decadent society sets one group against another.

On the one hand we usually hear from individuals who resist any definition of morality or social behavior, while on the other we hear from those who speak from a standard. Such discussions are endless and without meaning simply because they tend to get off track easily.

I'd like to explore the issue of judgment from a slightly different aspect; that Christians, by our spiritual nature are indeed judges of society. We tend to deny it in the excitement of proclaiming our love for our fellow man and the love of Christ for us, but it is there nevertheless. We see it all the time in our own posts, in those constant snippets of anecdotes that are broadcast in emails to one another, from the pulpit (if the speaker is worth his or her salt), and in private conversation.

What's the problem? Christianity is a prophetic religion.

That quality is lost to many, but it is there and its' influence upon our collective character is mighty.
Our moral character is defined by revelation, beginning with the sin of Adam and Eve, continuing with the ten commandments and working forward to the sermon on the mount and the resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is finished with the letters and chronicles of the New Testament and crowned with future predictions in the Bible's last chapter.

Christianity and Judaism are riddled with prophecy and that prophecy tells us above all else that there are things which are approved by God and man and things that are not. To deny these things are to deny ourselves and our God and does a disservice to our neighbors whether they like it or not.

Jesus reduced the ten commandments to two. If we love our neighbor we owe him or her the courtesy of sharing our prophetic nature. We owe them the judgment that God and humanity has made upon our society. If we truly love our neighbor we need to judge that which they and we do. Is it a good thing to allow a drunk to drive a car or is it a good thing to prevent a drunk man from driving? I'll wager to say that the drunk may have his own opinion on the matter at the time and it may not coincide with public safety.

Christianity is a prophetic religion.
As disciples of Christ we are called and enabled to judge our society.
We can't help but do so. The fire of God burns within us.

 

[evanom]

Christianity is a prophetic religion.
As disciples of Christ we are called and enabled to judge our society.
We can't help but do so. The fire of God burns within us.

All that sounds great, except that modern christianity has decided to invalidate the law. We have divided God's word into "grace" and "law" being the former the new "it" thing while the latter is this old obsolete curse.

So how can christian be judges if they have forsaken the Torah of their (spiritual) forefathers? Easy....... they can't!

We definitly are called to judge our society (according to righteousness). But as for being enabled to do so...... I see that very complicated: everbody has their own standards! Most christians reject Torah. There are hundreds of denominations each with different sets of rules and interpretations. Philosophical mindsets abound. Confusion is widespread. And hardly anybody reads the bible, much less study it.

Are we enabled to judge? No. We are regretably ill-prepared for this calling.

 

[fivesense]

AV 1C 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

AV 1C 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Seems like Paul put it into perspective.
fivesense

 

[JarBreaker]

So how can christian be judges if they have forsaken the Torah of their (spiritual) forefathers? Easy....... they can't

I'll go further here and declare that without holding to torah you cannot even possibly understand how serious sin IS, much less realize when you have strayed into a sin

Then before you get around to thinking about being a judge (who the king was to appoint anyway) ... there's that whole business of not looking past the plank at your brothers mote.

 

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All that sounds great, except that modern christianity has decided to invalidate the law. We have divided God's word into "grace" and "law" being the former the new "it" thing while the latter is this old obsolete curse.

So how can christian be judges if they have forsaken the Torah of their (spiritual) forefathers? Easy....... they can't!

We definitly are called to judge our society (according to righteousness). But as for being enabled to do so...... I see that very complicated: everbody has their own standards! Most christians reject Torah. There are hundreds of denominations each with different sets of rules and interpretations. Philosophical mindsets abound. Confusion is widespread. And hardly anybody reads the bible, much less study it.

Are we enabled to judge? No. We are regretably ill-prepared for this calling.

Well, you said a mouthful right there. Ill-prepared indeed.
Perhaps if Moses had created a video game instead.....things would be different.

 

[fivesense]

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Col 2:15 [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Reviewing these passages, and recognizing a few points, may shed some light on this subject concerning judgment by the believer. It is hopefully believed by all saints that they are new creations

2C 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ga 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Re 21:4

The man or woman of God who is in Christ is no longer part of the world system. While we may be in the world, we are now new creations, a new humanity that will one day rule and reign with Christ Jesus in the celestial realm. Already He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. It is ours to come into now and in the future.

Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:
Eph 1:3

The Cross of Christ is foolishness to them which are perishing, and a stumblingblock to the Jew. Yet this is all we are called to proclaim to the nations. It is through the Cross that we have obtained faith and grace, it is the just judgment of God the Father to have His Son die for us, in order to be at peace with all men. He is a conciliated God with all men everywhere, not holding their offenses against them, and making Himself accessible to everyone through His Son Jesus Christ.

If the God out of Whom are all things (1Cor 8:6), is at peace with all men everywhere (Ro 5:10), where does the purpose of passing judgment against anyone fit in with His established declaration?

There is no room for passing judgment by any standard, except the Cross of Christ. And that cross has become the focal point of God's judgment against all men. Believe on the Son of Mankind, or suffer condemnation. Not works, not deeds, but faith in the Son alone is the acid test of salvation in God. Anything less of a standard, whether it be Torah, Bible, Hammurabi's Code, all fall far short of faith as required by God.

Our new humanity is spiritual, not earthly. We are sons of God being conformed to the image of His Son. We are not terrestrial, for we live unto Him Who has made us new creations. Our warfare is against the spirits that oppose God, the invisible beings who terrorize us and others, who keep people in bondage to death with lies and deceptions, that run rampant through the Church with fables and Jewish myths.

With what standard do we judge those spirits, with whom we are constantly dealing with, over and above mankind? With our spirits submitting to the Heavenly One, Who is even now judging the works of the Adversary in heaven and subjecting him and his dupes to Himself, our judgment is one of discerment and exposure and proclamation of the Cross, not unto condemnation, but unto reconciliation.

Judgment with a view to reconciliation of fleshly things is futile. It is only the power and Holy Spirit that can perform such feats. Ours is to wage the warfare with the wicked forces in the heavenlies that seek to keep us from our inheritance in Christ, and prevent the Cross of Christ from being proclaimed.

God is at peace with all men everywhere through the blood of the Cross

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2C 5:19-20

fivesense