Tag: judgment
Righteous judgment
Scripture reading for July 11th: 1 Corinthians 5
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the Name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Following Paul’s instructions not to judge church members for their ministry and faithfulness, (1 Corinthians 4:5) Paul gives instruction to those leading the Corinthian church concerning a church member involved in gross sexual sin. This person, if allowed to continue in the church, would cause harm to the church and the cause of the Gospel. The person, if not dealt with, would become comfortable living in sin and could lose his salvation through blasphemy of the Spirit. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for being arrogant instead of mourning over this person and seeking repentance and a return to godly truth.
Paul, who had planted this church, told them what he would do if present. He would have ascertained the truth about the charge that this man was living with his father’s wife and confronted him. (Matthew 18:15-20) If true and he would not repent, he would have put the man out of the church. In doing so, this would deliver him over to Satan. In Satan’s realm, destruction of his flesh would result. The prayer of the mourning church for this man was that in the end, he would be saved before the final ‘Day of the Lord’ when Jesus would judge all by truth. This was Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ teaching on dealing with sin or offense.
Do you think there is a tolerance for gross immorality in our culture today? Are these principles of dealing with sexual sin being applied in the church? How does this teaching change your world view concerning dealing with sexual sin in your life and the church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for speaking clearly concerning the responsibility of church leadership to confront gross sexual sins. Help Your church today to apply these principles and not compromise with our culture. Give us hearts that mourn over sins and desire all to be saved and included Christ’s kingdom. Amen.
Judging faithfulness
Scripture reading for July 10: 1 Corinthians 4
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord Who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, Who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Judging our effectiveness and faithfulness to Christ is not possible with our natural senses or abilities. In this passage, Paul instructed the church at Corinth as to how they should view him and his team of evangelists and church planters. They were merely servants of Christ Jesus. They had been entrusted with the mysteries of God and the truths of the Gospel so that they might share them as God enabled them and opened hearts to receive. Sometimes these servants were dragged before courts and charged with sedition against Rome or Jewish religious laws. Paul stated that this was a small thing in comparison to standing before Christ one day.
Paul did not even judge himself! Even though he was not aware of any besetting sin, that did not mean he was guiltless. Only God knows the true condition of our heart. When the Lord Jesus comes again, He alone can bring righteous judgment. The Lord will reward each person for their faithfulness, which is the basis of great stewardship.
Have others in the church judged you for your lack of faithfulness and stewardship? Have you judged yourself as either unworthy or doing a good job? Are you ready to stand before Jesus Who will judge all justly and impartially, exposing hidden motives of the heart?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this word reminding me of my role as a servant and a steward of the Good News of Jesus Christ. I so want to be found faithful in going to those You send me to and in proclaiming Your Gospel. Help me to never judge others, but to rely on Your grace for myself. Amen.
Real rejoicing
Scripture reading for March 24: Luke 15
“And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:2-7
Religious people of all ages love to make judgments and comparisons. The Pharisees and scribes of Israel looked down their noses at Jesus because He was eating with ‘sinners’ and receiving them into His band of disciples. They thought it scandalous that He would choose to be with them and ‘contaminate’ Himself. But Jesus, wanting to expand their world view, told them a story to help them understand.
Jesus used a story about lost sheep, something very common in that time and culture of Israel. Sheep had value for meat, milk, and wool for clothes. A lost sheep was something of value worth looking for. It was the shepherd’s job and calling to protect his sheep and rescue them if they got lost, trapped, or wounded by a wild animal. We are not told what happened to this sheep, but only that the shepherd left the flock and searched and found this sheep. He carried the sheep home on his shoulders with joy. Upon arrival, he called his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. The point of this story came last: Heaven rejoices when one sinner who is lost, repents and returns to the fold! Instead of grumbling, those feeling no need of repentance should at least be rejoicing too.
As you examine your own heart, are there those that you judge to be ‘contaminating’ influences to be avoided? How does Jesus’ parable change your world view and invite you to enter into heaven’s joy? Do you identify with the shepherd or the ninety-nine or the one lost sheep?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You sent Jesus Christ, our Great Shepherd to seek and save the lost. I was found by Him and now want to help Him in reaching lost sheep. Teach me Your ways and lead me to the lost today. Fill my heart with Your love, my mouth with your Word and let rejoicing fill heaven. Amen.
Repent! Or perish!
Scripture reading for March 20: Luke 13
“There were some present at that very time who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”” Luke 13:1-5
People of every age have experienced wars, natural disasters and mass casualty events. Survivors and observers have often speculated about why these things happen or what divine judgment or satanic evil might be involved. There were two such events mentioned here by Jesus and He questioned the people about how they viewed what had happened. Were these people worse sinners? What or who caused them to suffer? Were they singled out for some nefarious reason that caused their destruction? Our cultural world view often determines how we seek to explain or justify these disturbing events. We assign blame and make excuses but fail to look in the mirror to see the state of our own souls!
But Jesus sought to use these sudden acts of violence and death to warn each person of their need to repent. If there was any sin or offenses in these who were now dead, there was no time left to repent and make changes. Their fates were set spiritually. If they were not right with God through repentance and faith, they would be eternally damned and under punishment. Jesus warned them that all who failed to go through Him, the ‘narrow Door,’ would experience weeping and gnashing of teeth and be left out of the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:28) The ‘Door’ would one day be shut and repentance would not be possible! Today is the time to take action, repent, and come to Jesus for a cleansing of heart.
When there is a mass casualty event or terrorist attack, how do you find yourself processing it? Do you assign blame and speculate on God’s reasons for allowing it? It it ever an occasion to thank God for His mercy in your life and ask Him for mercy on others?
Prayer: Father God, there have been many opportunities in my own life to process ‘accidents’, terrorist attacks, and the destruction of human lives by war and disease. It is often easy to view these things through media and assign blame. Forgive me and cleanse my mind from this thinking. Amen.
“Fire in the house!”
Scripture reading for September 11: Amos 1-2
Fire is a devastating force when not properly controlled and utilized. It has the capacity for great good and also for brutal destruction. I was helping an uncle shell corn at his farm about 6 miles south of our farm in Iowa. I was a young farmer and had started farming with a small hog herd and had about 25 sows (mother hogs) with their babies in a building. It was winter time and we were using heat lamps and furnaces to keep the hog building warm. One of the lamps must have fallen onto the straw, and a blaze erupted that swept through the building. I remember hearing the call to come home from my distraught aunt. “There’s a fire in the hog house!” I arrived home to find a charred building and some charred animals! It was devastating and caused great anguish to me and loss of my precious animals!
Amos was a fig (not pig!) farmer and shepherd who was called to be a prophet. (Amos 7:14-15) The reading today contains several warnings of “fire in the house!” These warning were to nations and peoples surrounding Israel and I imagine God’s people were probably cheering as their wicked neighbors were warned by God. (Amos 1:4, 7, 10, 14; Amos 2:2) God, however, is no respecter of persons and we as people all have the same malady at our core: sin. Amos also warned Judah and Israel that they also had fire coming to their houses as well! (Amos 2:4-16)
Sin brings God’s wrath and fiery judgment. God hates sin because it is totally foreign to His nature of love. But our God is very merciful! He always warns His people of their sins and even provides a way of escape for them. (1 Corinthians 10:13) He wants no one to perish but all to come to repentance and deliverance. (Amos 3:7) This is why He sends the prophet, preachers and saints to testify of His mercy and grace and warn of coming judgment!
Our nation is saturated with the gospel! We have more churches, preachers, and radio and television preaching than anywhere else in the world. To whom much has been given, much will be required! The Gospel warns people that there is ‘fire in their house’ and provides a Savior who took the fiery wrath of God against our sin. The Gospel offers us a new form of fire in our house, the precious Holy Spirit! This ‘fire’ is redemptive and empowering to the humble and teachable. It gives us power to live free from sin and to take the Gospel to those who have the wrong kind of fire in their house. Take time today to thank the Lord for His mercy and ask Him to refill you with holy Fire to share God’s love for the lost!
Multitudes in the valley of decision!
Scripture reading for September 10: Joel 1-3
“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; The earth and sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for His people; a stronghold for the people of Israel.” Joel 3:14-16
This book of Joel is an appropriate reading for our day! Joel was a prophet of God who spoke to God’s people during a terrible plague of locusts. (Joel 1:4) God used this locust plague to speak of their coming judgment if they failed to repent and turn to Him. (Joel 1:13-14) Joel called God’s people to fast and prayer for God’s mercy. A trumpet was to be blown calling all to God’s temple for serious intercession. Joel spoke to them about the ‘day of the Lord’ being near and their need to be ready.
The preparation for this coming ‘day of the Lord’ was preparation of the heart. The custom for fasting was to put on sackcloth and sprinkle ashes on their heads. They would cry out in weeping before God, symbolically in mourning for their sins. But God was after something else. He desired a broken and contrite heart! (Psalm 51:17) (Joel 2:13) God through Joel called all the people together to rend their hearts. They were to say, “Spare Your people, O Lord.” (Joel 2:17) God’s grace and compassion was the motivation for the fast. The goodness of God always leads His people to repentance! (Romans 2:4)
The answer from God to this fast was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the whole land! (Joel 2:28-32) (Acts 2:14-21) As they came to fast, all would be anointed with God’s Spirit! There would be signs and wonders among God’s people, young and old, men and women! This would happen right before the ‘day of the Lord’! Everyone who would call on God would be saved! (Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13)
Joel ends with a vision of the coming ‘day of the Lord’. Joel sees multitudes of people gathered in the valley of Jehoshaphat. There God enters into judgment against the nations that have rejected Him and His people. There are multitudes who will be judged and eternally lost! (Joel 3:1-2) This will be a terrible day for the unsaved when the lights of heaven grow dim and eternal darkness covers their souls. But God will be a refuge for His people! Whose side will you be on? Maybe it’s time for another fast!
Truth!–or consequences?
Scripture reading for August 9: Jeremiah 26-29
It takes discernment to hear the voice of God. What sounds good is not always truth and only the truth will make us free! In Jeremiah 28 we have a story that always makes me stop and consider what I might have done as I listened to these two prophets. One had a message of victory and hope, and the other a message of judgment and captivity. One message was true and the other was false. God allowed them to give their messages in the temple of the Lord in front of the priests and the people. After the messages were given, the priests and people had to decide which one to believe.
In the fifth month of the fourth year of King Zedekiah, all the people were gathered with the priests in the temple. Hananiah, a prophet from Gibeon spoke to Jeremiah in front of all the people. Jeremiah had been wearing a wooden yoke around his neck for a long time telling the people of their coming captivity. Hananiah declared that within two years, God would remove the yoke of the Babylonians and Judah would be free. To illustrate that message, he took the yoke off Jeremiah and broke it in front of the people. (Jeremiah 28:1-4,10-11)
Jeremiah responded initially with an ‘amen’ to the message. But he added some prophetic insight. Most prophets were sent to warn of coming disaster and turn the people back to God. This prophecy of peace would only be from the Lord if it actually happened. (Jeremiah 28:6-9)
As Jeremiah went his way, the Lord told him to go back with a Word for Hananiah. He was to tell Hananiah that he was not sent by the Lord and that his prophecy was not true. God was going to remove the wooden yoke and place an iron yoke on His rebellious people. Last, God declared that Hananiah would die because he preached rebellion against the Lord.
Who would you want to believe? Wouldn’t it have been tempting to hate Jeremiah and his message? How would you decide which was true? In the seventh month Hananiah died! God’s Word is always validated because it comes to pass! Please take time today to thank God for His Word and the blessing of knowing the truth. Ask Him for discernment in these last days that you will not be deceived by messages that simply make you feel good but are not of God!
Come, let us reason together!
Scripture reading for July 16: Isaiah 1-4
The book of Isaiah is a rich resource of prophesy and New Testament truth. Jesus Christ said of Isaiah that he “saw my glory and spoke about it.” (John 12:41) Jesus began His ministry quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2 as recorded in Luke 4:18-19. Isaiah was a faithful prophet of the Lord during over 50 years of ministry under four different kings of Judah. His book is considered by some to be a miniature of the Bible as a whole. The first 39 chapters record Isaiah’s messages of judgment on the sins of a backslidden and lost people. The last 27 chapters contain a message of hope and consolation to those God has disciplined.
The first chapter contains a pattern of preaching that many of the prophets used and one that Isaiah adopted. He used a four-point sermon outline: (A) calling out sins, (B) threats of coming judgment, (C) call to repent and return to God, and (D) promises of healing and restoration if they repented.
The charges against Judah sound familiar! The people of Judah were raised and delivered by God Himself, but they willfully chose not know God or do His will. They turned their backs on God and rebelled against their own Maker! (Isaiah 1:2-9) The results were sores and infection, a land under judgment, drought, and cities burned with fire! God likened them to Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities He had destroyed by fire because of their gross wickedness.
Because His people had provoked God in their rebellion and He called for judgment! He was sick of their hollow religious meetings and meaningless offerings. He hated their festivals and hypocrisy. He promised to hide His face from them and would not respond to their prayers. (Isaiah 1:10-15)
In mercy God asked them to turn from their sins while He waited. Their hands were full of innocent blood and their land full of idols. He called to them to seek justice and righteousness and begin to encourage the oppressed and help the fatherless and widow. God was concerned with social justice and particularly with the needy and weak who were being exploited. (Isaiah 1:16-17) He tried to reason with them about the stain of their sins. As red blood stains a white garment and is difficult to remove, God promised to blot out the stain of their sin and make them white as snow or white like a clean wool garment! (Isaiah 1:18-19) Repentance would bring healing, cleansing and blessing.
Take time to examine your own life in light of God’s mercy and grace he has extended to you. Do you have stains from sin, neglect of God, or putting on a religious show? God is listening for your call and ready to heal, cleanse and restore His blessings.
Judgment begins in God’s house!
Scripture reading for October 12th: 1st Peter 4, Psalm 54, Proverbs 18
1st Peter 4: 12-17 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the Name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that Name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?”
Peter went through some fiery trials himself that tested his faith and he failed on several occasions. Peter wrote to followers of Jesus who were also experiencing trial with words of encouragement and comfort. Peter had learned how to rejoice in the trials and recognize the blessing of God’s grace and glory in his life that sustained him. He had also watched Jesus suffer unjustly and came to understand how God sustained Him. Suffering is part of the trials of walking through this world as a follower of the Lord, Who suffered unjustly because of our sins. We must take time to examine our lives and judge our own hearts, attitudes, and actions in the face of suffering. It is only by God’s grace we overcome.
Psalm 54:1-3 “O God, save me by Your Name, and vindicate me by Your might. O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the instruction on trials that come to test us as we live for You here on earth. Help me to humbly evaluate each trial and respond through the Spirit of Grace and Glory that You have blessed me with. Help me to judge myself, my attitudes and and actions instead of judging others. I desire to honor You and glorify God as I live under Your authority and Holy Name.
Proverbs 18:12 “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
God’s kindness leads us to repent
Scripture reading for May 17th: Romans 2, Psalm 98, Proverbs 5
Romans 2: 2-5 “We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man–you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself–that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”
It’s human nature to see the faults and sins of others and judge them harshly, often when we are involved in some of the same faults. This was the reasoning of Paul with the Roman believers who were judging others. God is the righteous Judge who sees each person and will judge each one impartially. He is also patient, giving time to each person to confess and turn from sinful practices. Paul emphasizes that many people judge God’s kindness and patience as approval and don’t change themselves. God’s kindness and patience is meant to lead them to repentance and deliverance from the final judgment in the day of God’s wrath. We are not to play games and blame others, but rather look in the mirror and act.
Psalm 98:3-4 “He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your kindness and patience with me, giving me time to repent instead of judging me. Forgive me when I have judged others or been impatient with them, yet tolerated sinful thoughts and behavior in my own life. Fill me with Your kindness and remember Your covenant of mercy and love through Jesus Christ to remove my sins and fill me with the joy of salvation.
Proverbs 5:21-22 “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.”