2008-11-21
Good Morning God’s Treasures,
The Holy Spirit compels me to continue writing about judgment, even though much has already been written about this topic. If we wonder why, it is because it is important to Him. He still has much to say about this subject with which we are confronted most days of our lives. Think about it, we make judgments every day from things as mundane as what should we wear, to far more important decisions based on observation, knowledge of human law, and judgments based on God’s teaching. It should not be forgotten that some decisions are to be left to God alone, and it’s our responsibility to make sure that we know which ones fall into this category. We must also understand the reason why we can trust in our Lord’s teaching with regard to judgment. HE 4: 15, “Our High Priest is not One Who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest Who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.”
There is also an understanding that we need to have of the difference between Christ’s mission on His first Advent and what it will be on His second Advent. JN 3: 16-17, “For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to be its Judge, but to be its Savior.” That is what His first Advent accomplished. By His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection, He opened the way for anyone who would repent and come to faith in Him to avoid second (spiritual) death. At the time of His second Advent, His mission will be different. It will be to judge. We learn this from DN 7: 13-14, “During this vision in the night, I saw what looked like a human being [the Son]. He was approaching me, surrounded by clouds, and He went to the Ancient of Days [the Father] and was presented to Him. He was given authority, honor, and royal power, so that the people of all nations, races, and languages would serve Him. His authority would last forever, and His Kingdom would never end.” This authority would be to judge, authority that God alone had the right to give Him. Anyone who had read the book of Revelation knows, that part of that authority is to bar those who would reject Him as a lifestyle from entrance into heaven. REV 21: 27, “But nothing that is impure will enter the city [the New Jerusalem], nor anyone who does shameful things or tells lies. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of the living will enter the city.”
Are our hearts teachable? We need to examine the most uncomfortable role of leadership, that of making necessary judgments. Any person who has served in a leadership role in church, in some organization, in the military, or on the job knows that it is necessary to decide if someone potentially working with him on his team is qualified to do the job, or if his work is acceptable-fulfills the goals set out for the team. One’s educational background is only a part of that decision. His personality, his skills, his ability to work well with others, are just some of the criteria in making such a decision. Occasionally, even the best of leaders must critique a person’s work and even at times withdraw support of that work, if the person refuses to make necessary changes to improve it. Even in the case of an election, the voters must take these matters into serious consideration. Experience should be a teacher for us, but all too often it isn’t.
Leaders themselves must be accountable for their work. The verse to follow reflects the attitude leaders must take to conform to God’s will. In fact, it is the attitude anyone should take. IS 50: 4-5, “The Sovereign Lord has taught me what to say, so that I can strengthen the weary. Every morning He makes me eager to hear what He is going to teach me. The Lord has given me understanding and I have not rebelled or turned away from Him.” Ultimate accountability is with God, without regard for the venue in which the judgment is being made. We are not meant to tear down others, but to work to build up their faith and confidence in God. RO 14: 13, “So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make your brother stumble or fall into sin.” What is meant here is to let God lead when we are making the normal decisions that face us in our lives and on our jobs or in our churches. We are not to be unfairly judgmental, but are to make wise and fair decisions, just as Christ modeled for us. Each of us can look back over his own life and review the times when we either had to make a judgment about another person or had another make a judgment about us. If we ask what qualities does the person in this position have who had engendered our respect the most, we come upon an impressive list of criteria. It’s a pretty sure bet that being teachable is one of them. In next week’s message, we will examine the issue of constructive criticism and see how it fits into the construct of the boldface sentence immediately above.
PRAYER: O Lord, we stand before Your throne, all the while knowing that we cannot succeed to meet the goals that You have for us without Your intervention in our lives. Alone, we do not have the wisdom or the compassionate, courageous heart to live righteously. PS 51: 6, “Sincerity and truth are what You require; fill my mind with wisdom,” is our plea. You have asked us not to hold grudges against another. MT 5: 23-24, “So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.” You have told us not to lie or go to bed angry. EPH 4: 25-27, “No more lying, then! Everyone must tell the truth to his fellow believer, because we are all members together in the body of Christ. If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. Do not give the devil a chance.” You have made clear to us the fruits of the Holy Spirit. GA 5: 22-23, “But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. And there is no law against such things as these.” You have told us how to speak the truth to others. EPH 4: 15, “Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, Who is the Head.” While these passages speak to our interaction with other believers, You have wisely not told us who is a potential believer and who isn’t among our non-Christian friends and co-workers. That way, we are urged, Dearest Abba, to treat everyone we encounter using the same teaching that God has given to us for believers. We hear You and pause to meditate upon Your teaching and how it can be applied to the others in our lives. We remember PS 1: 1, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.” We thank and praise You, pledge our obedient faithfulness to You, in the name of our Lord and Messiah, Jesus Christ. To You belongs the glory! Amen.
As promised above, next week’s message will begin with the criteria for making godly judgments and dealing with constructive criticism. The “how to” teaching of the Scriptures was given to us over the sweep of history from Moses’ time through just before the final judgment. Nowhere else on earth or in heaven has more useful, consistent, and wise advice been given. Our loving God is eager to reward a life of righteousness. PS 146: 8, “The Lord love the righteous.” To begin, we must understand that “God is constantly renewing us in His image, so that we might have a better knowledge of Him” [COL 3: 10]. The righteous are “living memorials” to Him. PS 92: 15, “They [the righteous] show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” To see the reward, enjoy reading PS 94: 12-15, “Lord, blessed is the man You instruct, the one whom You teach Your law. You give him rest from the days of trouble until a pit is dug to trap the wicked. The Lord will not abandon His people; He will not desert those who belong to Him.” We must never question His love for each of us who come to genuine faith, are obedient to Him, and who serve Him according to His will. It is real, palpable, and constant. Even when we must go through trials, He is with us. 1 PET 5: 7, “Leave all your worries with Him, because He cares for you.” If we understand God’s love and take Him at His word, we never need to worry that He will withdraw His protection from us, even in the worst of times. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn