We will be judging angels!

The word ‘judge’ is used in the Scriptures with a variety of meanings. In a negative sense, it means to judge and therefore to condemn. But in a positive sense, it can mean to judge for the sake of discernment or to determine.

On one side, we see that we should never judge a brother and yet the church is called to pass judgment over sin in a brother. On one side, we are called to judge righteously and yet, we are told to be merciful and see the log in our own eye first. So, on the whole, we understand that we do not give up judging altogether. Imagine! we will finally be called to even judge the angels.

But while we make a righteous judgment over sin and condemn it, we can never condemn a brother because only God has the right to condemn. We can judge a brother, however it is not to condemn but to extend mercy. Every time we find fault or complain against someone, we are judging to condemn instead of showing mercy.