Look Within First

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” – 1 Peter 4:17

As I was driving just the other day, I noticed a car that had been pulled over by a local policeman.  It was a shiny metallic blue Chevy Corvette and the driver was a young man, who couldn’t be more than 20.  Quickly my mind raced to the conclusion that this young man must have been speeding and it was justified that the police officer would write him a ticket.

How much more guilty am I though.  It’s easy to look at someone else’s circumstance and think they deserve it, but it is so much more difficult to look at my own life and think the same thing.  We have a tendency to focus on the good things we do in life and hold actions up for all to see, yet keep our mistakes, unrighteousness and bad habits hidden away.  We can hide these things from the world if we are careful, but often times we lump God in with the world.

God knows our transgressions and our sinful nature.  Whether we try to hide it from Him or not, He is fully aware of our actions and thoughts.  It is important to bring these things into your conversations with God.  How can we begin the process of repentance, healing and eliminating the guilt associated with these actions if we’re not willing to put them on the table.  Once dealt with, we become stronger and more prepared to help others with similar problems.  We become agents of God’s mercies by going through the pain and suffering ourselves.

The Bible is clear - God will judge the just and the unjust in do time. I’d rather ensure that my sins and transgressions have been dealt with prior to that time, so that God can use me to the fullest to help others as needed.  Start today won’t you?

Prayer:
Almighty God,
We come before You, sinners and unclean in our actions.  Please forgive us for our unrighteousness and our deceitful ways.  Teach us, oh Lord, to walk upright and holy in Your presence in all that we do.  Help us to turn from our sins and look to You for strength against the temptation that lie at the door in waiting.  Our trust is in You.  In Your name we pray – Amen
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Here Comes the Judge

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” – Matthew 7:2

In this society we are all fixated on a live and let live mentality.  If another person’s actions do not directly impact me, no harm.  This feeling of tolerance has engrained in our thinking that we are not to challenge someone on their actions.  The word teaches us not to judge others, for we will also be judged (Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37; Romans 14:10), but it is important that we look below the words on the page and understand the meaning in the usage of the words.

The word judge is one of those words that has so many definitions it can be confusing to the context by which it is used.  There are at least 15 different definitions for the single word judge.  From the Greek word, krino, we are led to multiple definitions as well which range from decision, discernment, to approve, to call into question, to rule or govern, to be of opinion and to separate as in judgment.  We are often times quick to jump to the final 3 definitions when we feel others are condemning our actions.  Yet there are several instances in the scriptures where it actually calls Christians to judge one another with grace and love to help each other on the path of righteousness.

In this way we are not judging for salvation’s sake, or in an attempt to replace God’s judgment on mankind.  The Bible is clear that God the Father, and His Son, are the only rightful judge of man’s eternal destination.  We are not to apply judgment on one another’s eternity, for we have not authority in doing so.  This does not mean though that we are not to apply discernment in others actions, and form opinions on the righteousness of others actions according to His Word.  It is not within our place to chastise, correct or condemn another’s actions, but I believe it is certainly appropriate to confront someone when necessary.

In this manner the Bible is also clear.  In Matthew 7:3-5, we find Jesus explaining to us that we are not in a position to confront another in any specific area of unrighteousness if we likewise are guilty in this same area.  We must look within ourselves, and be under self-control before we can effectively help a brother or sister through their struggles.  The Holy Spirit will act, within each of us, as judge on the righteousness of our own behavior.  As a part of God the Father, He has the full authority to do this.  You know right from wrong inherently, not just because the law tells you so.  This self awareness of your righteous behavior is your own methodology of judging yourself.  You need to be aware of your unrighteous behavior and deal with that in resolving it between you and God.  Then, and only then do you have the right to bring forth an opinion on other’s in this area. 

Tolerance in today’s world has become the norm, but it is not Biblical.  We are called to abide in Him and help one another.  Providing guidance and advice to another must be done cautiously with the love and grace of the Father, not with condemnation.  The intent should be to help them become stronger followers of Jesus Christ and in doing so strengthen the overall Kingdom.  There is a delicate line between providing loving support and advice and chastising condemnation.  I strongly suggest that you are fully within God’s direction and leadership when you choose to confront another individual on a situation.  The Word of the Lord is your strength and must be used as the checks and balance during these encounters.

Walk with the Lord and learn to apply loving advice to His children, as you would to your own.

Prayer:
Father Almighty,
Thank You for Your Word.  Thank You that it might live within our hearts and minds, and that it may become alive through us.  Help us to be discerning in this world of ours and to stand up for the truth we find in Your Word.  Strengthen us, oh Lord, to overcome our unrighteousness that we might in turn be used by You for helping others.  Give us Your peace and understanding to deal with the backlash from society when we have offended.  We seek Your glory and give all honor to You.  In Your name we pray – Amen


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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011