Judging Those in the Body of Christ

God said that we are to judge those in the body.

2 Corinthians 13:5 5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless you actually fail the test?"

It is love to confront someone who lacks the fruit of the Spirit to challenge them to ask God if they have been born again. There are many pretenders in the church today who are confident they are going to heaven but will end up in hell.

Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

The greatest love we can show a brother or sister is to help them be sure they are born again.

The fruit of the Spirit is not works although works do follow, it is the fruit, the character qualities of Christ that we can see as we view people in the Spirit rather than the flesh. No one with the fruit of the Spirit will walk in the flesh as a lifestyle.

Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Those who have the Holy Spirit can discern this fruit in other believers.

Matthew 7:17-19…17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.…"

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 "…11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”…"

If we love our brothers and sisters we are more concerned about whether or not they are saved than we are about their momentary feelings. If we love our brothers and sisters we will be more concerned about their salvation than whether or not they will like us for the moment.