To judge or not to judge
            QUESTION from claire on June 2, 2004

Hello once again Bro. Ignatius! I have another question. In many passages of the Bible, it states that we are to judge a fellow "brother" (christian) justly (John 7:24 to name one) or to "Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest will be afraid." (to sin) -- 1 Tim 5:20. (See also Gal 6:1.) Yet in James 4:12, it states,"There is one law giver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?" In 1 Cor 5:11-13, "But I now write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a person. For why should I be judging outsiders?" (non-christians)"Is it not your business to judge those within? God will judge those outside. 'Purge the evil person from your midst.' " My question is what does James 4:12 really mean since the Bible does not contradict itself. For many passages tell us that we can and are to "judge", yet this passage says otherwise. Thank you and God bless you, from Claire :-)