1. We Are Not to Judge One Another (Am I My Brother’s Keeper?) Lesson 4

2. Brief Review In this series of lessons, “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?”, we are coming to the discovery that we are indeed responsible for the well being of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. As a matter of fact, we are to help: –Provide for the physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual needs of one another –Protect one another from the evil one –Promote the mutual growth of our faith

3. Brief Review In order to address our theme fully, we are examining all of the “one another” passages in the New Testament. In our first three lessons we have come to understand that we are our brother’s keeper because: –We are to love one another –We are to be at peace with one another –We are to give preference to one another in honor

4. We Are Not to Judge One Another The Rule Stated The Rationale Specified The Resolutions Set Forth

5. The Rule Stated We are told very plainly in the New Testament that we are not to judge one another. That is to say we are not to unjustly condemn one another. We are told this by Jesus (Matthew 7:1), the apostle Paul (Romans 14:13), and the writer James (James 4:12).

6. The Rationale Specified Not only have we received the command not to judge our brethren, we are given the rationale as to why this command is to be honored. 1.We are not to judge one another because it will affect how we will be judged. (Matthew 7:2) 2.We are not to judge one another because we have enough in our own lives with which to be concerned. (Matthew 7:3-5) 3.We are not to judge one another because we put ourselves in the position of being seen by God as hypocritical. (Romans 2:1)

7. The Rationale Specified 4.We are not to judge one another because in so doing we can develop a sinful attitude of contempt. (Romans 14:10) 5.We are not to judge one another because when we judge others we end up speaking evil of them. (James 4:11) 6.We are not to judge one another because we are not in a position to be the judge. That is reserved for God. (James 4:12; Romans 2:16; Hebrews 10:30; I Peter 1:17; Revelation 20:12,13).

8. The Resolution Set Forth There are principles set forth in the New Testament that can help us to avoid the practice of judging one another. 1.We should not judge others unless we are without sin. (John 8:7) 2.We are to receive those who are weak in the faith. (Romans 14:1) 3.We need to remember that it is the Lord who will determine whether we stand or fall. (Romans 14:4) 4.We need to let God do the judging. (Romans 14:10-12)