I don't judge them by their works. John does.
1 John 3:7
The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
1 John 3:10
Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
Now explain your criticism in light of what John himself says.
No explanation required.
The author of 1 John is teaching the Word of God.
The author in 1 John identifies himself as one who heard first-hand from Jesus Himself.
1 John 1:
[
1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
[
2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us...
[
3] That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
[
4] And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
[
5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
The author himself Identifies WHO he is writing to.
1 John 2:
[
1]
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:
[
12] I write unto
you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
[
13] I write unto
you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.
I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
[
14] I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and
the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
John is Writing to Jews.
Jews who Already were KNOWN to believe IN God.
Jews (fathers), who SAW and Heard Jesus first hand.
(Little children/Jews), WHOM some have Heard From (their father Jews) OF Jesus and Believed and OVERCOME)
(Little children/Jews), WHO are being Enlightened...to Knowledge...of WHAT is their GAIN FOR Belief; and WHAT is their LOSS For Disbelief.
The Point hinges on Background Knowledge.
Jews were ALREADY faithful TO God.
Gentile's WERE NOT.
Jews were being introduced TO Jesus.
Gentiles Were being introduced TO Jesus First, THEN God.
The POINT proceeds Forward-->TO Individual's.
Individuals---> Jew OR Gentile Hear and Decide and Choose What to Believe IN.
God only...Jesus only...God and Jesus.
And if you have not noticed; even TO this day...Broadly;
JEWS teach Jews & GENTILES teach Gentile's.
The Big Picture IS..STANDING on Belief in Both.
• Your focus is on Works. That you can KNOW a person's STANDING "by his WORKS".
• If that ^ be your point, I disagree.
• A man's STANDING, is on what he Believes.
• If you judge a man only on his Works, (and KNOW not his STANDING /Believer or Not)...and you Judge his Works as "good"...
Do you NOT already KNOW, an unbelievers WORKS are burned?
• it is KNOWING a persons STANDING (believer or not) and knowing the Word of God, that gives you the Background Knowledge to rightfully Judge another.
• It is Scripture that Teaches, "Declare your OWN STANDING"...and DO your OWN "WORKS"...that others SEEING "Your Works" are Glorifying to "your God, that you Stand with".
^ That is my point.
Works Glorifying TO GOD, ARE ONLY works accomplished BY an individual IN STANDING WITH God, THAT ARE Good works, according to Gods Principles.
It is the STANDING "IN and WITH God" that IS the Primary Factor...(of an individual), BEFORE "Works" (of the individual) IS Considered.
Glory to God,
Taken