We Are Not the Judge

James 4:11-12 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

Today's verses, and devotional, will get the nostrils of the self-righteous flaring. I will say this right up front, there is only one Judge, and His Name is Jesus. Now, with that said, let's clarify what James is communicating here. The verses do not say that we cannot hold each other accountable. As a matter of fact, we have been given what boundaries to operate within when dealing with a sinning brother or sister. In 1 Corinthians 5 the Apostle Paul tells us not to keep company with sexually immoral people, the covetous, extortioners, or idolaters. However, he was not speaking of the unsaved. He was speaking of those who claim to be Christians, but live a lifestyle that proves them to be these things, along with being revilers and drunkards. With that said...before we break fellowship with such a person, how should we approach them? This is where we must be careful to reflect on what James is saying in these verses. Galatians 6:1-3 clearly states, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." In other words, God does not call us to condemn one another, but calls us to restore one another. If that person refuses, and prefers a life of sin, then we are to break fellowship, and leave them to God's correction. However, we are to do so in love, not with condemnation or a judgmental attitude; as one day we too may find ourselves in need of God's grace and forgiveness. We must be extremely careful about judging another person's actions, as we cannot see the heart. Before we criticize and speak evil of another for violating one of our personal convictions, we need to step back and consider that we do not all have the same convictions in our walk with Jesus; and the Lord does give us the room and liberty to exercise our conviction in certain circumstances. Before we condemn another for having a different approach to serving, which does not violate God's Word, we need to stop and be very careful that we not hinder another from serving in a way that God has called them to serve, simply because it does not fit in the personal box we have put Jesus in, in our own life. Before we take it upon ourselves to correct another brother or sister with a self-righteous attitude, we need to stop and ask ourselves the same question James asks in verse 12, "Who are you (we) to judge another?"

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).