“Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked” (Exodus 23:7). “If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that [the judges] may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked” (Deut. 25:1). “Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” (Isaiah 5:23).

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy (Mt. 23), but he justified Mary’s anointing His body (John 12:7,8). Paul and Barnabas condemned false teachers in Antioch (Acts 15:1ff).

God justified Abel in true worship (Heb. 11:4) and condemned Cain in vain worship (Gen. 4; Jude 11). The apostle John’s inspired judgment of Cain and Abel: “Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (I John 3:12).

The Corinthians, by their puffed up attitude, justified, rather than condemning, the fornicator (I Cor. 5). Paul did not justify the Corinthians’ puffed up attitude, but commanded them to deliver such an one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (I Cor. 5).

Do we have people today who justify the wicked and condemn the righteous? When one defends an adulterous union, he is justifying the wicked (Gal. 5:19ff). And when he condemns one who opposes such unions, he has condemned the righteous.

Have you ever heard one say, Do not withdraw from one who has quit worshipping, he has withdrawn from you? When one scripturally withdraws from another, the one withdrawn from has correcting to do before fellowship can be restored. What correction does the church have to make before one who has quit attending can fellowship it again? The one who quits worshipping has not withdrawn in the Biblical sense, he is one who knows to do good and does it not (James 4:17). To quit worshipping is walking disorderly, such should be withdrawn from if there is no repentance (Heb. 10:25; II Th. 3:6).

What about one who condemns the church when it scripturally withdraws from an impenitent sinner? Such condemns the righteous. But, when much effort has been made to restore an impenitent soul, and yet the church does not withdraw, what about the person who condemns the church for NOT withdrawing? He may be viewed as a troublemaker, but is he? Has he not judged righteous judgment?

Do we justify the righteous? Do we condemn the wicked? “Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth” (Hab. 1:4). Jesus commanded, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Righteous judgment is based on:

1. The righteous standard -- the word of God (II Tim. 3:16,17)

2. Proper motive (Rom. 13:10)

3. Proper application of the word of God to self (Mt. 7:1-5)

4. Judgment with mercy (Mt. 5:7)

5. Individual rather than group judgment (John 1:46)