Can you dismiss WL's ministry because of his sins?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Judge has several meanings. I cannot judge anyone's heart as the Lord can. But I do have the right and even responsibility to decide whether I think someone is teaching truth.

Some random thoughts ...

Judges in our judicial system don't even like to refer to themselves as "I am the judge here," instead they prefer to use the phrase "this court ..." Judges can only judge actions. Only the Lord can judge the hearts of man. Judges cannot make law, rather they interpret the law and apply it. The true Judge has made the law, and has assigned men on earth to apply it.

We as Christians must discern the teachings and actions of others. Many of us in the LC's put far more trust in our LC leaders that we should have, believing that they were governed singularly by the scriptural mandate "to give account of your soul." I have witnessed and heard stories of elders being publicly chastised for placing the care of their flock above the demands of LC workers, both in Anaheim and Cleveland.

One area where posters can "cross the line" as ZNP has recently stated, is to heap condemnation on WL or other leaders. Courts have jurors that determine guilt, witnesses to reveal the facts, and counselors to establish the facts, but none of these assigns judgment. In this sense, posters can be witnesses, counselors, and jurors, but not judges.

I Cor 5 is a case where it appears like Paul was judging a man for sin which was damaging the assembly. Paul assumed responsibility that should have been the elders. He even delivered the man to Satan. Later, following a time of repentance in which the sin was stopped, Paul encouraged the church to receive the offender back into fellowship.

Personally, I believe most of what the Lord was referring to when He said "judge not lest you be judged," was all those petty condemnations which arise in our heart towards others. Happened to me a million times. Most are rooted in fleshly fickle feelings and need to be taken to the cross. Included here are those gossips and backstabbing suspicions which arise from those fleshly thoughts. These also need to be deposited at the closest cross.