The typical liberal misunderstanding of the Christian religion is that Christians shouldn’t judge anybody. This misinterpretation comes from a superficial reading of Rabbi Yeshua’s (Jesus’) teaching where He said: "Judge not, that ye be not judged…" (Luke 7:1-5). But when read IN CONTEXT it’s understood that God will hold us to a standard as strict as that which we demand of others.I say yes and amen to this teaching. In the church today we have become lax in calling sin, sin and evil evil. In fact secular society calls evil good and good evil. The church wanting to fit in decides to follow suit and not rile the water much.
All judgment must be tempered with mercy. Jesus clearly taught that we can see others imperfections (the "mote" in their eye) and help to remove it ONCE we have first gotten the "beam" out of our own eye. The purpose is to help and not hurt: constructive criticism, not self-righteousness or sinister motivations.
There is a great difference between judging an act and condemning a person to Gehenna (Hell) fire. Only God truly knows the thoughts and intents, and potential, of any individual. When God delivered to Moses various statutes and laws for the nation of Israel, He commanded that they judge and condemn to death some individuals for certain infractions.
When Jesus pardoned the woman caught in adultery, He didn’t excuse her actions but admonished her to "go and sin no more" (John 8:11). In other words, repent (1 John 3:4; 2:4). He acknowledged it was a sin worthy of death, but obviously forgave her for God’s greater purpose, discerning a truly repentant attitude.
She didn’t argue about what technically constituted sin, lie about it, or threaten to vigorously go after her accusers. Jesus had let their own guilty thoughts shame them into leaving the scene and leaving her alone with the Savior (where we must all ultimately appear).
Again, the apostle Paul wrote that "he that is spiritual judges all things" (1 Cor. 2:15). Today such a Scripture would be politically incorrect. It appears as if it’s "live and let live," "never judge," as long as whatever it is is wrong and not right! The spiritual person is to judge everything based upon the Law Book that we call the Holy Bible. In fact, the fact that so many people are confused as to what’s right and wrong and have blurred any DISTINCTION between the two is the fault of faulty ministers!
Yes, I’m judging them! I’m judging them by their lack of performance since the Scripture teaches that they’re supposed to "teach my people the DIFFERENCE between the holy and the profane, and cause them to DISCERN between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it ACCORDING TO MY JUDGMENTS (not the latest poll): and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths" (Ezek. 44:23-24).
We’re to view the news from a higher perspective, through God’s eyes, and judge everything accordingly (Isa. 55:8-9). As is far too evident in our attitudes and actions, we’re so far away from true spirituality that it’s past time to read God’s mind and go by the Book! (Deut.17:18-20). Without that stabilizing standard there’s only chaos and confusion.
May God bless the American and British peoples, and our Jewish brethren, to remember our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities, restore law and order and flourish rather than flounder (Malachi 4:4).
SO we are left inert. I think it's high time that we call it as we see it. But, judgement ALWAYS starts in house of the Lord. We as Christians must hold one another and so called Christian leaders to a higher standard than the world would. A world that embraces abortion, euthanasia, the homosexual agenda and pushing God out of the Commons.
Time to speak up folks. Some times that is going to sound like Judgement. We need to be as capable of standing the scrutiny that we hand out. Living Holy helps that. Jesus said: "Judge not, that ye be not judged…" (Luke 7:1-5). But when read IN CONTEXT it’s understood that God will hold us to a standard as strict as that which we demand of others.
By the same measure in which you hand it out you will be judged, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
Can you handle that? I hope so.
It's time to blow the whistle.
1 comment:
...unless the "church" drives the truth out of the "church" iteself.
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.
Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit,"and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."
I would imagine in the end times (and we're there), we'll see a lot of false brothers too. Brother against brother stuff.
To best guard yourself against falsehood and false teachers - know the truth.
Jack Nicholson comes to mind.
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