Only God knows what’s in a persons heart. So therefore we can’t judge. We can look at the fruit in a persons life. But sometimes people fall, or backslide. So we must build each other up in Christ.
I definitely agree with this -----
As Far as Judgement goes -----there is Righteous Judgment for Believers -----Judging unbelievers is futile ---as they are living in the World and living rightly according to the world's standards ------their hearts are away from God -----God will be their Judge ----not us
Believers are in a different class and should welcome righteous judgment and the Scriptures tells us about this righteous Judgment for Believers -------there is also righteous anger ----which leads to the right resolution without sin -------
Jesus Judges and shows anger rightly and does not sin ------
Jesus showed both when He turned over the tables in the Temple courtyard ------where the money changers were making a mockery of God's Temple ------
James says this --------------------We Christians are to do this -------
James 1:19
Verse Concepts
This you know, my beloved brethren.
But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
Judge rightly ----
John 7:24 ESV /
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Paul rightly judged Peter in public for his actions -----
Galatians 2:11-13 NLT
Paul Confronts Peter
11 But when Peter came to Antioch,
I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore.
He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13 As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
I say -------The Scripture tells us how to deal with Believers -----Praying for other believers when they sin or backslide is good to do but sometimes they need to be confronted with their disobedience and should be spoken to in a gentle and loving Way to
hopefully bring them back to the right way ---and as you said ----what Fruit is being produced is a good sign for who your dealing with -------
Galatians 6:1-2 ESV /
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Matthew 18 NIV
Dealing With Sin in the Church
15
“If your brother or sister[b] sins,[c] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
16
But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[d]
17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;
and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 NIV
Warning Against Idleness
6
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching[
a] you received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
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