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| Judge rightly, NOT by appearances! |
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We look around us, and see so much that is wrong with the church! It is very tempting to do or say something, anything, to right the ship, to set those Christians straight again! It eats away at our conscience to just let it go, doesn’t it? God can’t possibly want us to ignore a bad situation, could he?
Well, maybe he does.
13:28 The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 13:29 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest.'" Is it our job to fix the church? Is this to be our crusade? Baloney!!! You’re destroying wheat, brother! You’re doing more harm than good, sister! Please, just knock it off!!!
7:24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." Lord, if I may ECHO that!! The right judgment ain’t always the obvious one. In fact, it seldom is.
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| To add a comment to "Judge rightly, NOT by appearances!" |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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Amen!! Who are WE to PLAY the Holy Spirit!!
well said bro~ |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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You just preached the "TRUTH"
I've lived with being judged by my appearance,
I'm so glad God is not like that.
139:14I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| God does more work in other peoples hearts than we ever can think about doing...he even turned the heart of a king...Lots of times we need to just sit back and watch Him work without our help...Good stuff Mike...Lori |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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I read this twice and then sat back and read it a third time. I remember feeling dissatisfied in my church before when living in Richmond and eventually leaving it when I moved away. I can't say if things changed or not overall because after that the pastor died and his son took over. I just know that where I am now, I am so blessed that I am ministered to and find myself bragging to others about it and the pastors there. Then thought, you may mean the church collectively not our little places of worship. I am truthfully so aware of my own shortcomings that I just try to be a blessing and not tear down those trying also. We are going to make mistakes and growth brings enlightenment. ie: I pray for healing for others and financial blessings and then get whiney when I face the same and then the victory comes and I think I have it all figured out and something else hits and I find I knew less than I thought. I am constantly in God school. |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Not judging by appearances is the operative word Mike before we pass judgement. Although not a blanket statement. If the same thing is happening inside church as in outside church (I'm talking about wrongdoing) then who are we to judge? Spinning off from that, the reason people might not judge - is because they may be doing it themselves (but with a Christian label attached). Example? Bishop of Boston. Although people preach against homosexuality, they put a seal of approval on it when it becomes a bishop who is openly gay. It was widely publicised about him becoming a bishop, but what was not widely publicised - was the amount of people by their thousands who left because of it. If there's any judgment to be done, it'll be done by God. |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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Amen Mike - Things are not what they always appear to be.
Let both grow together until the harvest.'" |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| This is something that I will definitely be applying to my life...God knows what he does...even when we don't...awesome words... |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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Good comments, thanks! Stevie, we must judge between evil/good, true. Blatant evil must be discerned to be avoided. But so many of us rush to judgment based on mere appearances, our perception of what lies underneath. Truth is, only GOD knows what's really beneath the surface, and all we can do is make inferences based on what we see. We need to be able to hold back, trust God, ask questions, and (drumroll.....) encourage!! |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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Wow! Great Word!
13:28 The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 13:29 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest.'" | |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Amen Brother Mike. Thank you for sharing this with me. If we lead by example, then words are not necessary. . . |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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I keep coming back to read this and it is like the Holy Spirit is speaking to me to dig deeper. I remember a pastor telling us that those in church who are the most known and forefront are not always the strongest in Christ but those who silently pray and lift the church from their prayer closets without recognition. I have always been a known so I felt 'guilty' I wasn't more silent. Then in a study of disciples, see the different personalities and how each were key in their role. Still digging brother, there is something more for me here that I am supposed to "get" and I have not totally yet, this I know. When the revelation hits it will be like in fifth grade when I finally understood fractions after crying kleenex boxes full. This is probably basic but I can' t help but feel there is something, maybe just for me that I am supposed to get. It may even come from a comment not yet written. ly-juanita
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Awesome word Mike |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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Juanita, the Holy Spirit has jurisdiction here, therefore you may get something out of this from God that I never even intended...speaking of deep! Jewlz, great point....lead by example. And that example should be.....GRACE! |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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There is a time. The Apostle Paul even did it. But self-righteous nit-picking and correcting a brother or sister in love, are two very different things, and I think we sometimes confuse them. If we are on a "crusade" of sorts to always set out to fix this person or that person, then we got issues. But like I say; there is a time. Know the Word and listen to the Lord, so you obey Him, and let "everything you do be done in love."
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Yes Mike, we keep thinking that we have to do God's job for him. Like trying to fix people for instance, but I have to keep the perspective of the consequences of not speaking the truth in love or warning people of impending danger. By imparting the word of God it is the word that judges them depending on how they receive it and how they respond to it. I have to go before God to make sure that my motives and intentions were in line with his heart and I struggle with whether or not I spoke or behaved in an appropriate manner but my conscience is clean, and I try to keep my heart pure. |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Its a hard lesson to learn when you rush into judgment only to find out later how wrong you were because you didnt know the FULL story. And... along the way you hurt so many people. Discerning blatent evil of course must be done... but... evil disguises itself as good too.... its a delima for sure... best left to wiser people then me. Good blog brother. God bless. |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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Isn't THIS what EVERYTHING should be about:
A wise person gave this to me once:
It would be nice if the Christian community really could stop being so quick to judge each other (on appearances).We could spare so much pain and suffering, and really appear charming to the world around us! |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Excellent scripture KC Joe! Very relevant! |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| LOL!! Well Joe, brother, doesn't that just sum it up!!! Amen there guy!! |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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:-) Mike, the problem is Paul also wrote all the other verses that bring all these into balance. For example, those written in 1 Corinthians 5 about removing evil men from our midst. In the book of revelation Ephesians was commended for standing up to the false messengers (Apostles, etc.). Assemblies were also rebuked for putting up with stuff they shouldn't have. So it bothers me when only a single perspective is presented: it may be completely true but not the truth. Best regards,
Craig |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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Thanx Craig, good to read your perspective. And I agree, we should be careful of an unbalanced approach. Had I written "never judge", I agree that would be unbalanced. Too vague and overly general. As always, we find the balanced approach in scripture: "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." The caveat "by mere appearances" provides the wisdom we need to avoid disastrous mistakes. And in the first scripture above, the servants thought they could distinguish weeds from wheat, by mere appearance I suppose, didn't they?
Craig, this isn't directed at you, but the whole family. The church would be a much more attractive place to be, and fewer folks would leave this site in a huff, IF there was less weedin' going on! (God bless you bro) |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Got it! Thanks Mike! :-) |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| There is a right time to step in and there is a wrong time. Please Lord, help me to know the difference! |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| amen and i stand in agreement on this situation amen and i will keep praying about it too amen |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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I took a long nap, pain med induced but nevertheless over an hour. I dreamt of this blog, never happened before. I know what God wanted me to see. This judgement happens in our marriages. One thinks they are right and the other needs fixed and they aren't seeing the spouse as He sees it or down the road and they want to split it or root it up and it would destroy both wheat and weed, better to keep them growing together till harvest. Now having this revelation may only be for me. I judged my husband as having cornered me on a decision last year and left. I worked on my marriage and he has come to Christ and we are together. I sinned in many areas by being apart and God was gracious to me and we are under the same roof growing together. I really think this may be for me in how I judged him. Often we are harder on our own households. This wasn't the meds talking, that just made me sleepy, not high. I see that I have judged Jim harsher than I would one of you brothers. I have repented and am working on being a better wife. If you are judging your spouse harshly then maybe it is for you too.
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| ps if you go back and read it again as if it is referring to you and your spouse and your marriage then it makes more sense |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| I like the drum-roll Mike, LOL!!! The key is to hold back and trust God and see what He does next. |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| A HUGE AMEN & AMEN. Great post. God bless you. |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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Dear Mike and Laura,
Loved your article. As a Pastor, God has taught me through the University of Hard knocks many isights regarding being judgmental. In the Beatitudes, Jesus says that the judgment we render will be meted out to us in proportion. The same is true with the ideal of Mercy. "Blessed art the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." It is hard sometimes to discern between the tares and the wheat. Since Jesus is Lord of the Harvest it is good to let God take care of this judgment business. This does not mean that we cannot discern. The difference between discerning and judgment is that judgment is that judgment carries the connotation of writing off or excusing ourselves when we are to be our brother's keeper.
Pastor Charles E. Waddell (United Methodist Church Prentiss, MS) cewchuck@aol.com |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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One of the headships of a Christian movement I was apart of started going astray. While trying to find a verse to say goodbye to my brothers and sisters in Christ, I realized that I am no better than the hireling referenced in the following Bible verses, if I left the body of Christ: 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Great advice, Mike, think I will take heed. |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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"the judgment we render will be meted out in proportion" - excellent observation, Pastor Waddell. I also appreciated the difference you highlighted between judgment and discernment.
Thanks Panda!!
Juanita, awesome to see the Lord has spoken to you so clearly! The thoughts behind the writing of this blog were not far at all from the message you eventually took. God bless, dear lady!
To all... One thing I know....there's far too much judgin' goin on 'round here (that is, in the church, overall...and I'm guilty too!) |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| I need it too Teral! Thanks!! |
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| February 03, 2009 |
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| Awesome! |
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| February 04, 2009 |
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"The right judgement isn't always the obvious one".... How true! Thanks for the wonderful blog, Daddy!! Short and to-the-point with a great message! Loved it!!
-Sherlock- |
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| February 06, 2009 |
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| Well, Mike I think we need to use discernment. I totally agree with what the Lord is teaching us here. The Lord knows who are His. However, we also have an obligation to go to our brother and rebuke them gently and speak the truth in love. I think you sentiment is best expressed by Jude verse 22 "And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh." Ultimately, the Holy Spirit cleans us up and makes us presentable before the Father, all we need to do is love and forbear with one another. |
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| February 06, 2009 |
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Thanks Todd. I agree w/you re:discernment. I would not advocate a lack of discernment...but it seems our default stance is one of judgment, when I think that should actually be something we do reluctantly. Excellent comment. I've missed you around here lately bro.
Sherlock, thanks! You are such a sweetie!!
Rag, you rock! (to use another of our characteristic "Americanisms" lol) |
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| February 09, 2009 |
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What is a true Christian person to look for in a partner? is it height? weight? skin color? race? age? are these things important to be looking at? |
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| February 09, 2009 |
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| Well now, that isn't quite the direction in which I was thinking when I wrote this (LOL).... I guess if a Christian man ends up marrying a tall blue-eyed lady with brown hair b/c that is at least partially what attracted him to her, then so be it! But I sort of doubt that is what Jesus was referring to when he issued that quote, lol. |
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| February 09, 2009 |
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Thankfully, folks like you choose not to judge by appearance... or ole Rich woulda been fed to the dogs long ago.
I really like this one bro, short and to the point! I gotta stop pulling those weeds sometimes and let God be God. |
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| February 09, 2009 |
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| Hey Rich...thanks! (good to see you, ol' boy!) |
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| February 09, 2009 |
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| AMEN again |
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| February 09, 2009 |
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No offense taken Justin, thanks for the comment. And although there may not be enough righteous judgment, there is definitely too much unrighteous judgment! Judging is habitual. And I'll take my lumps w/everyone else, b/c I do it too. Best to hold my tongue and pray first!!
Angela, good to hear from you sister. Hope you're enjoying God's joy! |
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| February 11, 2009 |
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| This is funny that this blog pops up now in my life. I just started teaching a bible study on Weds. nights, at my church, tonight was our third week. It consists of things God has taught me on this subject. Just to give a brief overview/summary. When you see the two great commandments they are both about two things. 1) Love 2) relationships. Love God; Love your neighbor as yourself. I have tracked the 1st commandment back to Deut. 6 to love God. When Jesus walked on the earth he told us a new commandment I give unto you that you love one another as I have loved you. Jesus examples were always full of Grace seasoned with salt. Take the woman at the well. She was so healed by the feeling of His love and acceptance of her right where she was in life, that she ran into town telling everyone I met a man that told me everything I ever did. She was free! Consider Romans 5:17 Para. For if sin reigned by the death of one man, how much more shall those who receive the gift of Grace and Righteousness reign in life through the one Christ Jesus. We all get our grace and righteousness in the same place. A there but for the grace of God go I. Is a good attitude to have before you judge others. A little salt makes food taste better but too much ruins it. Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt. If the salt has lost it savor where with will it be seasoned. A Jesus example in this area always shows a love and acceptance of the person in need of a Savior. (I believe you need to have a right relationship with someone (acceptance/understanding of before you say anything). Jesus said if you open your mouth I will fill it. It takes a discerning spirit, some sow, some water and some reap. You learn your role in people's lives by listening. Out of the mouth proceed the things of the heart. Ask clarifying questions (show interest) gain their trust. Then you have developed a relationship of trust that allows them to be transparent. At this point they can be open to receive from you the things God has entrusted to you for them. (Wisdom) Walk in wisdom toward them that is without. Amen! |
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| February 11, 2009 |
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| Kay, that is an absolutely lovely comment, definitely full of grace!!! Can we have too much of that? I don't think so! You said it too, people are more apt to listen if you've established a relationship w/them, shown them that you CARE. Thanks for taking the time to put all that down, we're all the better for it! :D |
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| February 12, 2009 |
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General comment (to no one in particular):
In case some think the message of this blog is "don't judge". Notice, this blog is titled "Judge rightly..." That is, judge, but do it RIGHTLY! This is the point of John 7:24, which says to make a right judgment, but quit doin' it merely by appearances! In other words, don't be so quick to judge others! Slow down and consider there may be more than meets the eye!!!!!
Here's an example. Many Christians are quick to stand at the podium, megaphone in hand, and announce for the world to hear, "Homosexuality is a SIN! Homosexuals are going to hell!!" Then of course, ppl who struggle w/homosexuality come along, hear the aggressive tone, and NATURALLY conclude that the speaker (and ALL those who CHEER for him) hate homos!! Thus, hearts are hardened and people are driven away from the Church (AND the Gospel). Future opportunities to sow the Gospel ruined! Did Christ drive them away? No. Did God's word drive them away? Again, no. "CHRISTIANS" drove them away! When those ppl end up in hell, their blood is on themselves (biblically if we don't accept Christ's atonement, we are responsible for our own sins). But if God were to allow their blood to be on anyone else, it would be on the unwitting fools who drove them away from his Son!!
Or another. A Christian encounters a man who is clearly homosexual and detests all Christians, so sick and tired is he of being "judged" and condemned. The Christian thereby argues with the gay man that he has rejected God and will end up in hell. (Thus CONFIRMING the gay man's suspicions about "all Christians".) What the foolish Christian has ignored, is that the gay man has a past, which contributed to his becoming gay. He has a past history of being sexually abused by his father who ALSO claimed to be a Christian. So the Christian again has unwittingly allowed himself to become a tool of Satan rather than an instrument of redemption. Pitiful! And it happens all the time!
I could come up with thousands more scenarios like this! Christians need to THINK before they judge, and if in doubt, then DON'T judge, let God!
Our EAGERNESS to judge is tragic! |
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| February 16, 2009 |
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| Wow,.. that one made me think ---" let both grow until the harvest" ... thanks guys. |
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| March 26, 2009 |
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| Gregory Lynn Fox (which is a mouthful....do you have a nickname? lol) .... Thank you for posting! The most important thing is NOT performance and good works, living the right kind of life, or even looking the right way! The most important thing is the good news about Jesus Christ, i.e. the Gospel! Why can't we all focus on the good news, and let GOD change people from the inside? Our efforts to change ppl from the outside, mere manipulations of the exterior, accomplish nothing!! Well, I take it back. As I said several times above, and as the verse says, we end up driving ppl away from the kingdom of God, we're destroying wheat! Lord help us see!!! |
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| April 30, 2009 |
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Hey I just realized I wrote my essay on this very fact yesterday! I even quoted that same Bible verse!! WOW. Cool... :D
-Sherlock- |
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