2008-04-04
Good Morning God's Treasures,
Our God loves each of us beyond measure. He does this in a way no human can. One of the ways He demonstrates His righteousness is to judge us fairly on the backdrop of that love. With humans, when they judge, the question must be asked: Is this judgment, or it is hypocrisy? That question doesn't apply to God's judgments, because He is never a hypocrite. Today, we will begin to examine a question as we begin this new segment of messages on judgment: If we accept the Lord Jesus in our hearts, will we be saved, no matter what we do?
Christ actually deals with this in the seventh chapter of the book of Matthew. MT 7: 1 is a famous statement. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Taken out of context, this statement might be misinterpreted. To prevent that, Christ adds verses 2-6. MT 7: 2, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." As I was meditating over MT 7: 2, I was able to see a familiar pattern. Our actions have a direct bearing on God's actions, and His teaching should direct our behavior. All too often we actually try to usurp God's rightful responsibility in judgment, something for which there are serious consequences if we make a lifestyle of it. To see this same pattern in another context, that of forgiveness, look at COL 3: 13. "Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another, whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you." In other words, we must judge one another, as the Lord judges us. While we haven't had the final judgment yet, there is plenty in the Scriptures to indicate that we will be judged with fairness, wisdom, and compassion by the Lord [PS 94:14; PS 119: 73-80, 137-138, for example]. That is how he wants us to approach judging others. (If the question of should we judge at all comes to mind, suffice it to say that I will write about that later in this segment of messages).
Christ goes on to say, in MT 7: 3-5, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Once again, a familiar pattern in the Scriptures comes up, that of the Lord urging us to examine and evaluate our own behavior before striking out to act toward others. This is certainly the message of this passage of hyperbole Christ uses on the matter of judging. The same can apply to forgiving and other actions toward others too. Why use hyperbole here? The answer is simple; the Lord Jesus wants to shock His listeners into realizing the problem and its extent. We have all encountered hypocrites in our lives, and these people can level a lot of pain on others. For years, I felt quite beset by a family member who constantly compared herself favorably to me. She was a better wife, a better mother, a better everything in comparison to me. And, she was very pleased to let me know that at every turn. I ignored her taunts as much as I could, understanding that her personality being what it is, that trying to have a logical, calm, adult conversation to put an end to the problem would never work. This lady never takes responsibility for her own actions. There were times when I was on the seedy edge of losing my temper and running my mouth with her. It would have been fruitless and would have only led to even harder feelings than there already were. In the course of prayer, God let me know that her behavior stemmed from her relationship with her very neurotic mother, who by that time had passed away. This lady who taunted me has a poor sense of self-worth and deals with it by trying to emotionally pound down others. The question for me was what was the best thing to do? At one point, I offered to go into counseling with her, but her attitude was that she didn't need counseling. Then, God stepped in. First, He told me to pray for her with persistence. Then, my own circumstances changed, and my husband and I were transferred out of state. I was no longer in this lady's sphere of influence, no longer living near her. I often try to solve problems with healthy communication, but understood that there was no other way to take this route with her. I intend to take the Lord's counsel that He and not I, should be her Judge.
MT 7: 6, "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." The lady who beset me in my past has never recognized Christ's Messiahship. Nothing I could say would change that, because of our family relationship. She knows that I am a believer and sees that as having a "crutch" to lean on that, like all else about me, is unworthy. It's sad, because I would like to think that the example of how I lead my life would have an impact on her. Only the Holy Spirit can decide that, and I must have the wisdom to leave that up to Him. What you and I have in our faithfully obedient relationship with the Lord, our Covenant of Grace relationship, is indeed a pearl of great price. Whether or not those who at this moment reject Christ will come to faith in the future is up to the Holy Spirit. He, and He alone can "inwardly transform a person by the complete renewal of his mind" [RO 12: 2a].
PRAYER: O Lord, Your teaching here is wisdom that is indeed a "peal of great price." By Your wisdom, compassion, and grace, You teach us that we must first evaluate ourselves as to our own behavior in the radiance of Your light. PS 119: 93, "I will never forget Thy precepts: for with them Thou hast quickened me." We come alive in the Spirit when we listen and follow Your teaching. We are ever grateful for the death of Your only begotten Son on the cross, so that we might not only be saved, but might be led by the Holy Spirit on the hard, narrow path that leads to eternal life with You [JN 3: 16; MT 7: 13-14; RO 3; 24-25]. We pray that You will hear this prayer of confession. PS 51: 2, 10-12, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin…Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a steadfast spirit to sustain me." Dearest Abba, it is in Your light that we need to avoid the devil's temptation to judge others harshly, to give in to fits of temper against their hypocrisy, and to refuse to have discernment. It is Your light that leads us not only to confession or our own sin, but also to this plea for discernment. PS 119: 125, "I am You servant; give me understanding so that I may know Your teachings." And yes, Father, we also need to ask for Your wisdom in determining how to behave in the face of unfair human judgments and hypocrisy. PS 51: 6, "Sincerity and truth are what You require; fill my mind with wisdom." We know Your light allows us to see and understand Your truth. PS 36: 9, "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." PS 130: 5, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope." You are a wise, faithful, and loving Lord. We thank and praise You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Next week, the Spirit leads me to continue writing on judgment. He gives me Scriptures to share that support MT 7: 1-6 and lend illumination on this important passage of the Sermon on the Mount. Hopefully, an examination of these verses and passages will allow us to have clarity in understanding judgment verses hypocrisy. In the meanwhile, God wants us to know that He will instruct and protect those fully committed to Him, who are His honorable and diligent servants. He strengthens our faith. 2 CH 16: 9, "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those who are fully committed to Him." He gives us His word, which is useful and consistent in revealing His will for us and preparing us to serve Him with distinction [2 TIM 3: 16-17]. He protects us from the onslaught of those exhibiting unworthy behavior. PS 139: 5, "He is all around us on every side; He protects us with His power." He helps us when we have times of trouble. PS 46: 1, "God is our Shelter and our Strength, always ready to help in time of trouble." His love for us is unmatched. IS 64: 4, "No one has ever seen or heard of a God like You, Who does such deeds for those who put their hope in Him." He gives us peace, even in the face of adversity. IS 26: 3, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You. Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the Eternal Rock." He guides us and pulls us out of the pit of despair. PS 31: 3-4, "You are my Refuge and Defense; guide me and lead me as You have promised. Keep me safe from the snare that has been set for me; shelter me from danger." PS 40: 1-2, "I waited patiently for the Lord's help; then He listened to me and heard my cry. He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a Rock and made me secure." Praise be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn