Comments on: On Becoming a True Judge

By: Mike Bull

Mike Bull — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:48:53 +0000

Dear Mr Bledsoe

You have a way of putting your finger on fundamental things. This essay should be mandatory reading for everyone. Thank you.

By: Jason Farley

Jason Farley — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:44:21 +0000

Isn’t dieing to yourself what keeps us from being judged at the table.

1Co 11:30-32 “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

There can be a judgment that happens at the table, but that is not what it is for, that is what happens if we don’t confess our sins. There is a judgment involved with the table, but it is the self-judging.

By: Al

Al — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:31:19 +0000

Thanks Rich,

I believe that helps. One follow up, while I understand we take in these capacities; I am not clear if we are being judged at the table.

All judgment brings death,
I die to self when coming to the table.
Therefore, I am being judged at the table.

I know there is a logical fallacy there, affirming the consequent, but is it true in this instance that the table brings death (to sin, self, self-righteousness etc), because God is judging me there and not because I kill sin in me prior to my approach to the table?

I don’t know if that makes any sense, but there you are.

Al sends

By: Training Toward Judgment « After The Handbasket

Training Toward Judgment « After The Handbasket — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:51:43 +0000

[...] Toward Judgment In an entry by Rich Bledsoe over at Biblical Horizons blog, I read something that set my mind to work. It was an illustration [...]

By: Rich Bledsoe

Rich Bledsoe — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:48:37 +0000

Hi Al,

I am not sure I can answer your question in a completely satisfactory way, but let me try.

At the Lord’s Supper, we receive all the benefits of being in union with him. We continue to be nourished by our justification. But in everyway, we are conformed to his image. Jesus in his life acts as a judge, in a preliminary way. He cuts, he divides (Luke 12:49-53 as a simple example, with Luke 7:36-50 being a very concrete example). In drinking the blood, we take into ourselves by faith, these same capacities. We begin to be like him, and mirror his as just judges ourselves. It is a matter of maturation and growth.

Does that help?
Rich

By: Al

Al — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:26:28 +0000

Rich,

Are we learning judgment at the table, through judgment? In otherwords, are we judged by the blood of Christ, wherein He expiates (is that a bad word at the table?) sin and prononces blessing on us?

Are we passing judgment on Christ in the sense of “I know not what others may choose, but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord?”

al sends