[Feb. 12th, 1854.]
Moses on Mt. Sinai; Christ on the mountain of Palestine.
-
The one was terrible, the other attractive.
-
The one was legal and ceremonial, the other spiritual and evangelical.
-
The one was ministerial, the other authoritative
-
The one was in form earthly, the other heavenly.
This discourse is distinguished, 1. By its heavenly character. 2. By the comprehensiveness and spirituality of its precepts. 3. By its catholicity.
The peculiar command, Judge not.
-
The word means simply to pronounce on the conformity, or want of conformity of an act or person to the law. This may be done, 1st, Officially and with authority. 2d, It may be done unofficially, as when we express a conviction regarding a person or act, that he or it is worthy of praise or blame. 3d, As intermediate between official judgment and the mere expression of approbation or disapprobation, is the decided condemnation of our brethren, or a pronouncing them guilty before God. The former is the expression of our own judgment, the latter is a declaration of what is the judgment of God. In the first sense there is of course no sin in judging. As to the third sense, it does not belong to us.
-
We have the right and duty to declare what God’s judgment is, so far as it is revealed, e.g., that no one who denies Christ, or says that Jesus is accursed, is of God; that no unclean person, or unjust, or murderer, or drunkard hath any part in the kingdom of God.
-
But beyond this we have no right to go. 1st. We have no right to pronounce that sin which God has not so declared—meats, days, etc. 2d. We have no right to judge the heart, or to pass sentence upon motives. Paul refused to be thus judged by the Corinthians.
(a.) We are utterly incompetent for this office.
(b.) This is not the time for judging.
(c.) We have no authority. It is an office which belongs to Christ. It is a usurpation on our part.
The second kind of judging, viz., the expression of approbation or disapprobation.
This is right, 1. When done with competent knowledge. 2. On suitable occasions. 3. From proper motives and design. 4. With proper mildness.
It is wrong on the other hand—and what is here condemned—when it is accompanied with,
-
Undue severity of judgment.
-
A disposition to condemn, to put the worst construction on acts, or to censure when we are not called upon to do it.
-
It is wrong to condemn where we are not competent to form a right judgment.
-
Where the motive is bad, to gratify malice, to wound the feelings, or to amuse others.
Reasons against judging:
-
We shall be judged, here and hereafter.
-
We are guilty of folly.
-
We cherish evil feelings ourselves.
-
We promote them in others.
← 180. Christian Forbearance · Contents · 182. Christian Rebuke →