Gracious judgment

It seems as though most Christians I know fall into one of two categories: 1. The nice, but wimpy Christian who lacks any kind of backbone, but will gossip about others (behind their backs) or 2. The nice (when you’re on their good side) but ungracious & cruel (when you’re not) Christians. Neither category is very Christian, and both are fairly judgmental towards others. Once again this only proves God’s point, concerning total depravity, in Romans 3:10-18. Honestly I’d have to say I’d fall more into category #2.

Christians seem to do a much better job of following Paul’s teaching in:

1 Corinthians 5:11-13
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.

Then following:

2 Corinthians 2:5-11
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Christians seem to always take the lazy or easy way out. The wimpy Christians would rather do nothing and say “God will take care of him or her”. The harsh Christians would rather slap the sinner in the face, excommunicate them and that’s it. No follow up, forgiveness, grace or love. “That’s someone else’s job”.

Why don’t we know how to handle confrontation, admonishment or accountability? It seems to me the church has no idea how to handle these issues, even though the Bible teaches at length how to apply these topics. Per a very quick glance at the Bible I can find out: Why admonish? Nehemiah 9:26 & Colossians 1:28, How? Colossians 3:16. Always in love, never for selfish motivations or out of fear.

Restore your brother, for you are your brother’s keeper:

Luke 17:3-4
So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Let none of us forget the betrayal of Peter, who denied Jesus not once, but 3 times. Yet the Lord Himself forgave and restored Peter and used him mightily for the advancement of the kingdom.

So yes, there is a time to confront and admonish a brother or sister, but this by no means raises any of us above them. Only God is above.

John 8:4,5,7,10,11
"Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

In these verses the woman is first confronted with her sin. Then Jesus forgives her. Finally, Jesus instructs her to leave her life of sin.

Christians need to be firm and unyielding about standing by the truth of scripture, yet loving in its application. Christains need to show more grace to their brothers and sisters because the Father forgives our sins. Otherwise we're no better then the wicked servant, who after his master forgives his huge debt, beats a fellow servant until he repays an insignificant debt.

Admonishment should be done first for the glory of Jesus Christ, second for the protection of the church and third for the spiritual benefit of the offender, never with selfish motivations, but always in love, forgiveness and grace.