Are You In The Judgment Seat? Are You A Saint?

Do Christians have the right to judge? I've heard many Christians throughout my time give biblical texts to condone the judging of others. Unlike popular belief, the bible reveals that not all men are called to be saints and therefore have no right to judge others.

The bible says that there are prophets, saints and those that fear the Lord (the multitude)...

Rev 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

1 Cor 12:27-30 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?.

Not everyone is a prophet and not everyone is considered to be a saint. The saints were anointed by the Holy Ghost and given power. They have the authority to judge matters concerning the followers/believers of the gospel. The book of Corinthians is a letter written to those called to be saints. In this letter we can find evidence that the saints were given a little extra dose of the Holy Spirit and were authorized to judge earthly matters...

1 Cor 2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto US by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1 Cor 4:1 Let a man so account of US, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

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

1 Cor 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

1 Cor 6:2-6 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

The following texts were addressed to All the brethren and provide this advice on judging others...

Romans 14:10-13 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

The texts given above, urge the brethren NOT to judge each other (they do not have the authority to do so). Instead they are instructed to encourage one another.

There are other books/letters written to both the saints and the followers: (Philip 1:1) (Col 1:2). These books do not contain any relevant texts pertaining to the judging of others.

The bible tells us that it was regular practice for the brethren to collect money for the saints (1 Cor 16:1). With this fact and previous texts given above, we know that not all people were considered saints. This is the same for this day and age. Therefore ALL people should not put themselves in ANY kind of judgment seat. It's best to follow Jesus' own words...

Matthew 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Why are we as believers UNWORTHY to judge others within the church or outside the church for that matter??? The bible tells us...

John 8:15-16 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

Rom 2:16 ...God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ...

So don't be too quick to judge one another. The job of parishioners is to draw in the spiritually lost, show genuine love for ALL people, encourage each other and most important of all PRAY. Pray for those who seek spiritual healing and freedom from sin. TRUST the power of the Holy Spirit. Only the Lord can see the heart and mind of the sinner and is worthy to judge. If there is some good in a sinful soul he/she will be changed by the Holy Ghost. If no good can be found in the soul the Holy Spirit will chase them right out the door. It's not the job for the congregation.

The Lord will judge the repentant and all unrepentant sinners in His own time. Just relax and watch the Holy Spirit work.