Judging One Another

Difficult subject to share about but the church no matter the denomination is struggling with what is right and wrong so this is relevant and important even if you don’t agree. We often hear it said that we are not to judge anyone. And this scripture is always quoted:

1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged

Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT)

I shared with you this week that we must be willing to show love to those who come to our churches and into our lives that do not know Jesus as their lord and savior; sharing with them that same grace and mercy that we have received. As we look at the passage from the Sermon on the Mount we are often quick to say that we should not judge each other because this is what Jesus taught. Yet in verse two you see the line, “that you will be treated as you treat others.” On the issue of judging it becomes a matter of the standards we will live by. In reality we as Christians cannot judge the world because the standard we hold to be true as Christians is absolutely different than what the world holds to be truth. So yes we should not judge those who are in the world because we have no common ground from which to do it. We see that Paul understood this as he wrote to the Corinthians:

9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NLT)

As Children of God we no longer live by the same rules the world does. My sons do not have the same rules to live by as your children might. As Christians we are bound by the Word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to act and do things in accordance with God’s word. The problem today is that too many people have decided to allow things to go on that are contrary to the word of God. This is what is wrong in our churches today. It has become the hunt and peck system of living the Christian life. We only allow God’s Word to address issues that are not controversial; we avoid the areas that call people into conviction out of a desire not to judge. Our desire for political correctness is going to send individuals to hell.  When people cannot tell the difference between the church and the world maybe it is time we started holding those who claim to be Christians accountable to God’s Word. After all that is the standard we ourselves will one day be judged by. If you believe scripture is true, we will all one day stand before God and face that judgment ourselves. Do you realize that the Day of Judgment is not even taught in some denominations?  I believe the day has come that we must either be willing to offend while changes can be made or we will allow those who we call brothers and sister in Christ to be put to shame. I pray that in wisdom, grace and mercy we can begin to reclaim the values found in God’s word and restore honor to His name. I pray you have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.

Are God's Judgments Empty?

Ezekiel 12:21-28, “²¹ The word of the LORD came to me: ²² “Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’? ²³ Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. ²⁴ For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel. ²⁵ But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”

²⁶ The word of the LORD came to me: ²⁷ “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’

²⁸ “Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”

            I am not sure why this verse struck me today but I had to share it. You know all my life even before I was a Christian I heard that God was coming back and I was always a little scared by the idea that I would miss it. To be honest with you though there was a time I did not care if He came back or not. I did not believe any of it to be true like many of you.

           We are not the first generation to wonder when or if God’s judgments are coming or if they are just stories to scare children to act right. The Jews felt this same way about the prophecies of people like Micah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah these men told Israeli that if they did not turn from there wicked ways God would remove them from the land and utterly destroy them. In Ezekiel’s time 593B.C. the vision was closer than the others. Babylon invaded and destroyed the temple in 586 B.C. I taught the other day about the Edomites and the judgment of their nation prophesied in Obadiah and that God would destroy them and remove them for what they did to Israeli. They are no more.         Folk’s time is growing short. I can say that because even those who do not believe in God have a clock (the Doomsday Clock) they are watching and its hands are on five minutes till midnight. We teach that God is not a respecter of personhood that if He has done it for someone else He will do it for you. That  principle applies, He will judge the world just as He has judged Israeli, Edom and many others found in the Bible.  We have been told the same and if the Lord does wait about His return I can tell you He calls people saved and unsaved home everyday. They go to be in Him or the wait on the judgment of God. We must be ready. I know this is not an uplifting word to some; but you know, I am looking forward to the day I hear Him say, “Well done My good and faithful servant.” God Bless your walk today. Allow His glory to shine upon your every step so you can walk according to your call.