Who are We to Judge?

"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?" (1 Cor. 5:9-12)

Paul had a lot to deal with in the church at Corinth. They had become puffed up and even allowed a person to stay within their midst who was indulging in sexual immorality (not even of a kind that was tolerated by pagans). The apostle commanded that these type of people be removed from the fellowship. Then he goes on into more teaching about association.

As Christians, we aren't supposed to associate with sexually immoral people. However, Paul wasn't talking about those people out in the world, but of those in the Church. Why not those in the world? Because we'd have to be totally removed from the world. As long as we're alive, there will always be immoral, greedy, idolatrous men and women that we, out of necessity, have to have dealings with.

Then Paul goes on to say that anyone who calls himself a Christian brother and is involved in sexual immorality, greed, swindling, drunkenness, etc. we're not to associate with. This leads to an interesting point. The apostle Paul asked the question ,"What have I to do with judging outsiders?" Outsiders meaning those who make no claim of having been born-again and aren't in the church. What can you expect from sinners anyways? Sinners do as sinners do. However, if a person calls himself a brother, he immediately puts himself in the realm of judgement from other believers. In fact, Paul says we are to judge inside the church!

This type of teaching is largely overlooked. Instead of judging those inside the church, fingers are often pointed at unsaved politicians, movie stars, or someone else in the limelight. Are we to just except and think that the sins of the unsaved are OK? No, but as was said earlier, what can be expected from sinners? Is abortion, sexual immorality (fornication, adultery, homosexuality), drunkenness, and all other manner of sin OK? No! God's wrath will come on all sin, but our judgement is to be reserved for those within the church, not those who are outsiders.

Many won't like this type of teaching. In the modern "church", we are told not to judge, just love. This is not what we see from the apostle Paul's example or teachings. Judge the people within the church, not the outsiders.

Sober-Minded

It's been a long time! I can't believe my last post was around Christmas time. Hopefully, I can start posting more on here.

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (1 Pe. 4:7)

This verse has been on my mind a lot lately. It has been a convicting reminder that our actions and thoughts have a profound effect on our spiritual lives. Notice that we're to be self-controlled and sober-minded, for what, the sake of our prayers.

I felt like I was to memorize and study this verse and 1 Pe. 5:8, which also talks about being sober-minded. As I've been going about life, these verses have stopped me in my tracks when I was bordering on foolishness or lacking in soberness.

Part of being sober, I found in my studies, is to be moderate. As a young person, I love playing sports with friends. However, the Lord convicted me that I was to be more moderate in my play. This is an integral part of sober-mindedness. We as Christians should be sober-minded for the glory of the Lord, our prayers, and so that we may know when the devil is tempting us to sin. In these last days being sober-minded may mean the difference between life and death.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

True Patriotism by John Newton

Dear friend,
Allow me to say, that it excites both my wonder and concern, that a Christian minister such as yourself, should think it worth his while to attempt political reforms. When I look around upon the present state of the nation, such an attempt appears to me, to be no less vain and foolish, than it would be to paint the cabin—while the ship is sinking! Or to decorate the parlor—while the house is on fire!

When our Lord Jesus was upon earth, He refused to get involved in disputes or politics, “Friend, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Luke 12:14. “My kingdom is not of this world! If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight!” John 18:36. God’s children belong to a kingdom which is not of this world; they are strangers and pilgrims upon earth, and a part of their Scriptural character is, that they are the “quiet in the land.” Psalm 35:19.

Satan has many contrivances to amuse people, and to divert their thoughts from their real danger!

My dear sir, my prayer to God for you is—that He may induce you to employ the talents He has given you, in pointing out sin as the great cause and source of every existing evil; and to engage those who love and fear Him, (instead of wasting time in political speculations, for which very few of them are competent,) to sigh and cry for our abounding abominations, and to stand in the breach, by prayer, that God’s wrath may yet be averted, and our national mercies prolonged! This, I think, is true patriotism—the best way in which people in private life may serve their country.

I consider the ungodly as saws and hammers in the hand of the Lord. So far as they are His instruments, they will succeed—but not an inch further! Their wrath shall praise Him, and be subservient to His designs!

If our lot is so cast that we can exercise our ministry free from stripes, fines, imprisonments, and death—it is more than the gospel has promised to us! If Christians were quiet when under the cruel governments of Nero and other wicked persecutors, when they were hunted down like wild beasts—then we ought to be not only quiet but very thankful now! It was then accounted an honor to suffer for Christ and the ‘offence of the cross’!

Those are to be greatly pitied, who boast of their ‘liberty’—and yet they do not consider that they are in the most deplorable bondage as the slaves of sin and Satan, under the curse of God’s law and His eternal wrath! Oh! for a voice to reach their hearts, that they may know their true and dreadful state—and seek deliverance from their horrific thraldom! May you and I labor to direct them to the one thing, which is absolutely needful, and abundantly sufficient.

If I had the wisdom or influence to soothe the angry passions of mankind—I would gladly employ them! But I am a stranger and a pilgrim here in this world. My charter, my rights and my treasures, are all in heaven—and there my heart ought to be. In a very short time, I may be removed (and perhaps suddenly) into the unseen and eternal world—where all that now causes so much bustle upon earth—will be of no more importance to me—than the events which took place among the antediluvians!

In the hour, when death shall open the door into eternity—many things which now assume an ‘air of importance’, will be found as light and unsubstantial as a child’s dream!

How crucial then, is it for me—to be found watching, with my lamp burning, diligently engaged in my proper calling! For the Lord has not called me to set governments right—but to preach the gospel, to proclaim the glory of His name, and to endeavor to win souls! “Let the dead bury their own dead—but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God!” Luke 9:60. Happy is that servant, whom his Master finds so doing, when He returns!

As you have forced me to respond—both duty and love have obliged me to be faithful and free in giving you my thoughts.

I recommend you to the care and blessing of the great Shepherd and Savior; and remain for His sake, your affectionate friend and brother,
John Newton

Thoughts on H1N1

Many today are very concerned about the H1N1 flu. Is this something that Christians should lose sleep over? I would submit that we shouldn't.

Let's look at some promises in Psalm 91:1-11:


"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."

There are promises in the Bible for God's children. If we dwell in Him, we will find protection.

Proverbs 1:33 says, "But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."

Notice the condition for protection from the Lord, we must listen to Him. Then we can live without dread of disaster. Praise His Holy Name!

So, I would encourage you, find the promises of God in His Word. Meditate on them, obey any conditions found in them, and trust the Lord. Don't worry or fret over the things that have the world in turmoil, it doesn't produce faith and God is looking for faith in His people.

Is It Our Christian Duty?

Have you ever heard someone say, "It's our Christian duty to be involved in politics" or "Christians must actively participate in all aspects of society to bring glory to God" ? Probably and for many of us, we didn't think anything of it. But is that what the Bible really teaches? Are Christians supposed to be involved in politics and activism?

Christians are "strangers and pilgrims" in this world. As pilgrims we realize that this earthly "home" is not really where we're going to stay. This world and all of it's trappings may hold some appeal to us, but it can only bring momentary "satisfaction". It's not what we're made for and it's not what we should be deeply involved in. If you truly believe that you're a stranger and pilgrim in this world, why would you get wrapped up in its political system?

Another point to consider is, did Jesus or any of the apostles get involved in trying to change the world through politics? I don't think so! There's not a single mention of it. Instead we see them changing hearts and lives one at a time, not trying to change immoral laws or protesting the latest governmental move. So, if our Lord and those who were his personal disciples did not get involved with politics and try to change things that way, should we?

The government of their day was very corrupt, but from what we see in the four gospels, Jesus dealt with religious corruption and the corrupt hearts of men. Part of the reason Jesus was not recognized as the Messiah was because He did not come as a political savior, but as Savior of mankind.

So in closing, is it our Christian duty to get wrapped up in the politics and activism of this world? I think not. Our Christian duty is to "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15) We will find our duty is to build the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world.

God Desires Faith

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:5-7 ESV)

So often I subconsciously believe that God just wants me to come to Him in prayer. But that's not the whole story! It's not just about prayer, but about coming in faith, believing God will answer.

As Angus Buchan said, "When you put the 'if' in your prayer, you're done for. You've had it! Because negativity has entered in." It is a slap in the face of God when we don't believe Him. Our unbelief shows how little we trust Him as our Savior and Father.

God wants us to come boldly (boldly because of our faith in God) before the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). That's when we find mercy.

Pride

Pride, a human issue and something that we all struggle with at times. The Bible talks a lot about about the sin of pride and of the consequences it brings when left un-dealt with.


"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Pro. 16:18)

"One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor." (Pro. 29:23)

Ernie Haase posted some good thoughts on his blog about pride. Read the post, Joyful Living in Christ Begins by Putting Pride Aside and be blessed!

How Would You Respond?

In our morning family devotions, we have started reading from the book of Matthew. Something that I have been thinking about is the miraculous events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Every time I read of how Mary and Joseph's respond to the Lord and His messengers, I'm think, "How would I respond if faced with the same situation?"

It's easy to say the right things and think, "Oh sure, I'd obey the Lord just like they did!" But is that true? Would I knowingly put myself in the shoes of that brave couple? Think of it, Mary set herself up for much ridicule and scorn. People would think she had been promiscuous and now her sin had finally caught up with her. For Joseph, people would think that he had been immoral or that he was engaged to a fornicator.

However, Mary was just doing what the Lord asked her to do. She responded in faith and for that she was blessed with being able to carry the Savior of the whole world! Joseph was such a godly man that he planned to quietly put Mary away, but when an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him to go ahead with the marriage, he did.

So how do you think you'd respond? Would it be in faith or with doubt? Let us look to Jesus and respond in faith when called upon to do something for the Lord!

The Way of the Lord

As Christians, we're going a different way than the world. We have entered the straight and narrow path, but the world takes the broad road. To the world, this seems like foolishness and that we're making life extra hard. However, the straight and narrow path leads to life.

Proverbs 10:29 says, "The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers." Isn't it interesting that a thing which is for one person a stronghold, is destruction for another? If people don't enter onto the narrow way, they will perish, no matter how foolish it appears to them.

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing..." (1 Cor. 1:18a) The Lord's way may not seem like the best way, but in the end, it always leads to what is best for us and will provide us with a stronghold. If we pick up our cross daily (Matt. 16:24) and seek to walk hand-in-hand with our Lord in His way, we will always have a stronghold to run to in times of trouble.

Psalm 61:2

From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock thaty is higher than I.

The Purpose of the Lord Will Stand

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

We can make all the plans we want to in this life, but if they don't line up with the purposes of the Lord, they will not stand. So often it is easy to start going about life without even thinking to ask for guidance from God.

Are we going to be like the foolish man and not listen to or even seek the guidance of the Lord (Matt. 7:24-27)? Or will we build our lives on the authority and power of God's Word? We can plan all we want, but in the end, it is the purpose of the Lord that will last eternally.

Scripture taken from Proverbs 19:21, ESV

Bible Promises and Their Conditions

So often, I hear people (myself included) talking about the promises of God in the Bible. It is a good thing to know those promises, but one thing that I don't hear people talk about very much is the conditions to those promises.

For example, an oft quoted promise is, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." That's great, however, many only stop there without sharing the condition ("Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."). If we do this, it may lead to a wrong view of the promises of God. Easy believism will be able to slip in.

In John 15:14, Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command you." Notice the condition, we're Christ's friend if we do what He commands us. Not just pray a prayer, but put into action what we say we believe.

So, when you think of the promises in the Bible or are telling someone about what God has promised, remember to share the "whole story" of the promises and their conditions.

Lessons Learned From Gideon

In my personal devotions, I have been reading out of Judges. I recently read about Gideon. As with most Christians, I am very familiar with how God used Gideon in a mighty way. However, the Lord showed me something that I'd never noticed before.

In chapter 8, we see that after God granted Gideon such an awesome victory, he and his household falls away from the Lord and worships a golden ephod.

This was very sobering to me, to see how God can grant victory and we humans see it, but still fall away from Him. I was reminded of how much I need the Lord's help to keep pressing on, especially after a spiritual victory.

Scribing

Recently, I have started scribing the Bible. It has been great! Besides just being in the Word for devotions or to study, I'm writing it down into another notebook. It's like you're really washing in the water of the Word. God's Word is powerful!

To hear the message that his idea came from click here.