"For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”" (1 Corinthians 5:12-13, NRSV)
"you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 5:5, NRSV)
Judging is such a negative word these days. But what would we do without judgment. What would we do if everybody could do what they think is right in their own eyes? What if we lived a in culture where people were not allowed to judge at all. We couldn’t judge a person’s behavior, a people’s behavior. We just had to tolerate. Well, we know that is just absurd.
Judging has it’s place in the world. Paul here frustrated with the church in Corinth demands that they stating judging within their ranks in order that people that have fallen into sin may be transformed. We are to judge carefully and with respect to our own sinfulness to help others and ourselves be saved.
Judgment is part and parcel with Jesus’ message of salvation.
It is hard for me to think of judging as a part of the journey of one’s salvation. However, if deadly behavior isn’t pointed out, how is the person going to know what they are doing is wrong or separates them from the living God. If there are no consequences, how do we learn and grow.
Perhaps I need more people in my life judging me to help me grow closer to Jesus.
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