The following was taken from an article from American Vision by Gary DeMar
“It’s been said that the most frequently quoted Bible verse is no longer John 3:16 but Matthew 7:1: ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged.’” Actually, it’s the most quoted out-of-context verse in the Bible: We cannot glibly quote this, though, without understanding what Jesus meant. When Jesus condemned judging, he wasn’t at all implying we should never make judgments about anyone. After all, a few verses later, Jesus himself calls certain people “pigs” and “dogs” (Matt. 7:6) and “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (7:15)! Any act of church discipline (1 Cor. 5:5) and rebuking false prophets (1 John 4:1) requires judgment. Jesus said “Do not judge lest you be judged” (Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37). But He also said, “Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24; see Deut. 16:18). These are not contradictory statements since the context of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1 tells us what He means by “not judging” and what it means to judge with “righteous judgment.” Jesus was condemning those who judge using two standards of morality, one standard for the judge and another for the accused. You know, like politicians who created a healthcare bill that requires everyone to participate but exempts them. The Bible maintains—in both the Old and New Testaments—that the standard of judgment must be equal for both parties (Num. 15:16). “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it shall be measured to you” (Matt. 7:2). God doesn’t take verses out of context."
This section of his entire article struck a chord with me. I have recently been wrestling with my own judgmental nature and I have felt convicted, rightly so, of my pious attitude many, many times. However, to judge with righteous judgment, the sins of those who unabashedly reject the truth of Christ is not condemned by God. God Himself is the ultimate judge of all. No doubt. However, to make a statement that certain behaviors and or attitudes (i.e. immorality, hatred, etc.) are wrong and worthy of death is not judgmental. Nor is it a sin. To speak the truth is a commandment that all God's children must follow. God uses us and our lives and words as examples to others in order to facilitate a relationship, a drawing of them, to Him. To evaluate what should be avoided both in our lives and in other's is to appropriately use the wisdom and instruction given us by God.
Most of the time, I believe when others refer to Matthew 7:1 they are using it as a cop-out. They are trying not to offend others under the guise of being non-judgmental. But as DeMar points out above, Matthew 7:1 highlights our tendency to live hypocritical lives and God is shining a spotlight on that. This, in no way, takes away from the truth of the Scriptures and of God's law. Certain behaviors and actions are bad. They are sinful. God has already judged us all and we are all depraved, lost souls. Only through His grace and His sacrifice of Christ are we made new and are our convictions overturned.
I, for one, would much rather err on the side of offending others with God's Word than to offend God by squelching His commandments. His message. His truth. I have lived my life as Peter for far too long. With the Lord's help I will no longer doubt & I will no longer deny. Who better to teach others than one of their own...a sinner saved by grace?
Proclaim the truth. Shout it from the rooftops. State the facts as they are presented in the Gospel. If that offends then so be it. The offense is not mine. The offended will eventually address their concerns with God. Whether they want to or not.
American Vision
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Yet Another Sellout...
NewsBusters
The article listed above should be read but I warn you, it is disappointing. Of course this seems to be a common thread when dealing with any politician these days.
Bob Inglis doesn’t really make sense when he tries to strike up a contrast between himself and Glenn Beck by stating he believes in an America founded by folks who overcame adversity most of us will never see to start a country made up of great freedoms and opportunities. I’m quite certain Beck agrees with him on that point. I’m not sure anyone would disagree with him. Even liberals hail our founding fathers as courageous and outstanding leaders. The contrast is in where we are now vs. where we should be. Perhaps Inglis' words are only to highlight a contrast in approach to that of Glenn Beck. I know, I'm reaching, and I don't truly believe promoting positivity was Bob's point.
Inglis' comments point out that he doesn’t understand the dire straits we have let ourselves, as a nation, fall into any more than the moron who voted for Obama because NBC told them to. I think it’s a case of Inglis simply not getting it. By highlighting what the current administration is doing to run this great nation and its most productive people into the ground, Beck is not saying our future is hopeless. He is prodding those of us who have been content to let others fight our battles to move. He is attempting to issue a call to arms. The silent majority has been silent too long. And if we believe there is hope for our nation, we must not be silent any longer. And yes, a lot of what I see going does strike a chord of fear in me. As it should. The happenings that are completely contrary to all that I stand for and all that this nation should stand for are both scary and infuriating. And it is that anger that has motivated me to become more than just a passive conservative. Just as it has motivated many others to attend tea parties, to write their congressmen, to stand up and be counted. Inglis’ comments lead one to believe that he is content with the Republican status quo. I understand not wanting to foster a spirit of fear in his constituents however there is a distinct difference in promoting hope for our party and accepting defeat by adopting the Liberal lies and agenda.
Like Lindsay Graham, Inglis now comes across as weak and I don’t want a weak moderate representing me. I hope he realizes that by sticking his head in the sand he is doing his voters a disservice and he is an embarrassment at best. Not to mention, this certainly doesn’t look like a simple contrast in approach when you see his comments in light of his voting record. I haven’t followed him as closely as I should and it’s been easy for him to fly in under the radar given the many controversies that plague the conservative party. But truth be told, he’s flip-flopped more than a fish on dry land.
I can’t help but think he’s getting ready to make a bid for the White House come 2012 on a much, much more moderate ticket (if not left of center) and this is simply laying the groundwork for such a campaign. Truthfully, I think we may have the beginnings of yet another sellout in our midst. I hope I’m wrong.
The article listed above should be read but I warn you, it is disappointing. Of course this seems to be a common thread when dealing with any politician these days.
Bob Inglis doesn’t really make sense when he tries to strike up a contrast between himself and Glenn Beck by stating he believes in an America founded by folks who overcame adversity most of us will never see to start a country made up of great freedoms and opportunities. I’m quite certain Beck agrees with him on that point. I’m not sure anyone would disagree with him. Even liberals hail our founding fathers as courageous and outstanding leaders. The contrast is in where we are now vs. where we should be. Perhaps Inglis' words are only to highlight a contrast in approach to that of Glenn Beck. I know, I'm reaching, and I don't truly believe promoting positivity was Bob's point.
Inglis' comments point out that he doesn’t understand the dire straits we have let ourselves, as a nation, fall into any more than the moron who voted for Obama because NBC told them to. I think it’s a case of Inglis simply not getting it. By highlighting what the current administration is doing to run this great nation and its most productive people into the ground, Beck is not saying our future is hopeless. He is prodding those of us who have been content to let others fight our battles to move. He is attempting to issue a call to arms. The silent majority has been silent too long. And if we believe there is hope for our nation, we must not be silent any longer. And yes, a lot of what I see going does strike a chord of fear in me. As it should. The happenings that are completely contrary to all that I stand for and all that this nation should stand for are both scary and infuriating. And it is that anger that has motivated me to become more than just a passive conservative. Just as it has motivated many others to attend tea parties, to write their congressmen, to stand up and be counted. Inglis’ comments lead one to believe that he is content with the Republican status quo. I understand not wanting to foster a spirit of fear in his constituents however there is a distinct difference in promoting hope for our party and accepting defeat by adopting the Liberal lies and agenda.
Like Lindsay Graham, Inglis now comes across as weak and I don’t want a weak moderate representing me. I hope he realizes that by sticking his head in the sand he is doing his voters a disservice and he is an embarrassment at best. Not to mention, this certainly doesn’t look like a simple contrast in approach when you see his comments in light of his voting record. I haven’t followed him as closely as I should and it’s been easy for him to fly in under the radar given the many controversies that plague the conservative party. But truth be told, he’s flip-flopped more than a fish on dry land.
I can’t help but think he’s getting ready to make a bid for the White House come 2012 on a much, much more moderate ticket (if not left of center) and this is simply laying the groundwork for such a campaign. Truthfully, I think we may have the beginnings of yet another sellout in our midst. I hope I’m wrong.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Where Are You?
GENESIS 3:7-13
After not listening to God, Adam and Eve found themselves in a terrible predicament. Their first reaction was to cover up rather than "fess up." Fig leaves can never hide the root problem of sin, but even today, we still try this approach (v. 7). Instead of acknowledging and confessing sin, we often attempt a quick surface fix of the situation.
Adam and Eve's second response was to avoid God. They knew they were guilty of disobeying, but instead of coming to Him to reestablish their relationship, they hid from Him in fear (v. 8). We can do the same thing when sin breaks our fellowship with the Lord. Have you ever found yourself avoiding prayer and time in the Scriptures because you were struggling with sin and felt guilty?
A third reaction was to try and avoid personal responsibility by blaming others (vv. 12-13). Shifting guilt to another person can't remove it. We are each responsible before God for our actions, regardless of the circumstances or who else is involved.
Despite Adam and Eve's sin and their evasive ways of handling it, the Lord came to them (v. 9). Our sin is never large enough to keep Him away; our Father still calls to us and asks, "Where are you?" He knows what we have done and why, but He questions us so that we can come to realize our desperate state.
Never let guilt or shame keep you from God. He continually seeks those who have made a mess of their life and speaks to them through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Forgiveness and a restored relationship await all who are willing to listen and respond with confession and repentance.
In Touch Ministries
After not listening to God, Adam and Eve found themselves in a terrible predicament. Their first reaction was to cover up rather than "fess up." Fig leaves can never hide the root problem of sin, but even today, we still try this approach (v. 7). Instead of acknowledging and confessing sin, we often attempt a quick surface fix of the situation.
Adam and Eve's second response was to avoid God. They knew they were guilty of disobeying, but instead of coming to Him to reestablish their relationship, they hid from Him in fear (v. 8). We can do the same thing when sin breaks our fellowship with the Lord. Have you ever found yourself avoiding prayer and time in the Scriptures because you were struggling with sin and felt guilty?
A third reaction was to try and avoid personal responsibility by blaming others (vv. 12-13). Shifting guilt to another person can't remove it. We are each responsible before God for our actions, regardless of the circumstances or who else is involved.
Despite Adam and Eve's sin and their evasive ways of handling it, the Lord came to them (v. 9). Our sin is never large enough to keep Him away; our Father still calls to us and asks, "Where are you?" He knows what we have done and why, but He questions us so that we can come to realize our desperate state.
Never let guilt or shame keep you from God. He continually seeks those who have made a mess of their life and speaks to them through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Forgiveness and a restored relationship await all who are willing to listen and respond with confession and repentance.
In Touch Ministries
Failing to Listen to God
GENESIS 3:1-6
Listening to God is not a onetime event. We must continually keep His Word before us, or we'll begin to listen to the wrong voices.
In Genesis 2:16-17, the Lord gave a command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Eve began to listen to another voice and did not hold firmly to her Creator's words. All that Satan had to do was plant a single doubt about God's integrity and offer Eve one appealing advantage of doing things her own way--and she fell for it. He mentioned wisdom, but using her own reasoning, Eve added two more benefits to the temptation: the fruit is good for food and a delight to the eyes.
The schemes of the Enemy have not changed. He still whispers lies and twists truth to convince us that a) God cannot be trusted and b) His ways are not the best. In every temptation, there is a deception about the character and motive of God, plus an attractive promise of a better way.
The world is filled with voices that vie for our attention and influence our thoughts and actions. Throughout the day, consider the messages that are sent your way through the media and people. Consciously begin to compare them to what Scripture says about God and His ways.
Remembering what God says in the Bible is our safeguard against deception and temptation. Daily devotions won't protect us if they're quickly forgotten during the day. Follow Christ's example: be ready with truth in your mind and on your tongue whenever temptation strikes (Matt. 4:1-11).
In Touch Ministries
Listening to God is not a onetime event. We must continually keep His Word before us, or we'll begin to listen to the wrong voices.
In Genesis 2:16-17, the Lord gave a command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Eve began to listen to another voice and did not hold firmly to her Creator's words. All that Satan had to do was plant a single doubt about God's integrity and offer Eve one appealing advantage of doing things her own way--and she fell for it. He mentioned wisdom, but using her own reasoning, Eve added two more benefits to the temptation: the fruit is good for food and a delight to the eyes.
The schemes of the Enemy have not changed. He still whispers lies and twists truth to convince us that a) God cannot be trusted and b) His ways are not the best. In every temptation, there is a deception about the character and motive of God, plus an attractive promise of a better way.
The world is filled with voices that vie for our attention and influence our thoughts and actions. Throughout the day, consider the messages that are sent your way through the media and people. Consciously begin to compare them to what Scripture says about God and His ways.
Remembering what God says in the Bible is our safeguard against deception and temptation. Daily devotions won't protect us if they're quickly forgotten during the day. Follow Christ's example: be ready with truth in your mind and on your tongue whenever temptation strikes (Matt. 4:1-11).
In Touch Ministries
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