"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." John 7:24
Those who know me know that I pursue photography as a serious hobby. Awhile back, I posted a picture on my Facebook photo page of a seemingly poor young boy who was looking through a set of bars. When you post items on social media, you can expect commentary. In fact, it is often the purpose for doing so. In this case a young woman responded to the image. She implied that I was exploiting the child and suggested that I do something to help instead of taking pictures. What she did not know, nor care to ask, was that the image was captured during a mission trip to Haiti, that we were there on a medical mission to help people and not exploit them, and that the young boy was merely looking into a church courtyard from the outside and was not, himself, in any real distress or need. He was just curious.
This leads us to the context of today's Scripture. Jesus found himself being withstood by detractors who were using the fact that he healed an invalid man on the Sabbath day. To them, this was unforgivable and, in their minds, tore down his credibility to speak on matters of God and religion because what he had done was, in their minds, a violation of God's law. Jesus reminded them that they would circumcise a young boy on the Sabbath if the eighth day requirement happened to fall on that day and that they saw nothing wrong with it. The implication was that they would both be doing a work on the Sabbath and that the ritual caused pain. He countered that he was bringing healing on the Sabbath day and they wanted to kill him for it.
Beloved, we are so often quick with our opinions, particularly our negative ones. We formulate them with very little information, without stopping to ask questions or do research and often, with a great deal of emotion based on what we think, how we feel or how we may be affected. Further, we do so without examining ourselves. As Christians, we often take as a first principle that we are not to judge, particularly if we are the ones under scrutiny. I submit to you, however, that we are, in fact, required to judge situations and actions against the word of God, but must do so righteously and not in an effort to condemn based on our own thoughts and opinions.
I informed my photography critic of the circumstances and asked her if she was actually involved in helping anyone as missionaries do or just busying herself with misguidedly demeaning what others are doing. Jesus told his listeners to look and consider more deeply before rendering a verdict. Wise advice for us all.
Building God's family,
Lee
Showing posts with label Judging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judging. Show all posts
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Monday, July 28, 2014
Sin and Compassion 7/28/2014
"Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, 'Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?'” Matthew 9:10-11
Jesus was never popular with the religious elite of his time. There were groups of scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees, who themselves differed in some very fundamental ways, but together made up the ruling council that governed the religious and social life of the people of God. They criticized everything that Jesus said and did and were constantly seeking opportunity to shame, discredit and ultimately kill him.
The interesting thing about these groups is that what should have been their main concern, in effect, was not. Rather than seeing to the needs of the people and doing all they could to shepherd them to godliness, they were often more concerned with position, pride, pomp and circumstance. When Jesus came along clarifying and advancing the spirit of the Law rather than the letter of the Law to which they so strictly adhered, it created problems that they wanted to resolve in his death. They should have known that that is why the Messiah was to come in the first place.
So it was that when Jesus went about the business of "seeking and saving the lost," those who should have been doing just that in anticipation of his arrival, withstood him for it.
Beloved, as Christians, the people of God, if you will, we should never withstand good being done. We should never judge those who are coming to Christ. Far too often, the church, whose main mission is to seek and save the lost through love and obedience to our heavenly Father, do the opposite by creating barriers to those who would come. Stories abound about homosexuals, fornicators, drunkards, abusers, thieves and other sinners being turned away at the doors of the worship facility because they are sinners. In so doing, we are exemplifying the adversaries of Christ more so than Christ himself. This is not to say that we are to endorse sin or turn a blind eye to it. The word of God is crystal clear about the dangers of sin and the prohibition against it. If we, however, do not display love and compassion toward the lost, how can they possibly be saved? How can we call ourselves Christians? And interestingly enough, there are none of us that were not ourselves bought out of sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
As we model the one who saved us from our sin, let us all endeavor to be more compassionate toward those who have yet to be saved. There is plenty of time and opportunity to teach righteousness but it will not materialize if we are not first welcoming as we ourselves have been welcomed.
One,
Lee
Jesus was never popular with the religious elite of his time. There were groups of scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees, who themselves differed in some very fundamental ways, but together made up the ruling council that governed the religious and social life of the people of God. They criticized everything that Jesus said and did and were constantly seeking opportunity to shame, discredit and ultimately kill him.
The interesting thing about these groups is that what should have been their main concern, in effect, was not. Rather than seeing to the needs of the people and doing all they could to shepherd them to godliness, they were often more concerned with position, pride, pomp and circumstance. When Jesus came along clarifying and advancing the spirit of the Law rather than the letter of the Law to which they so strictly adhered, it created problems that they wanted to resolve in his death. They should have known that that is why the Messiah was to come in the first place.
So it was that when Jesus went about the business of "seeking and saving the lost," those who should have been doing just that in anticipation of his arrival, withstood him for it.
Beloved, as Christians, the people of God, if you will, we should never withstand good being done. We should never judge those who are coming to Christ. Far too often, the church, whose main mission is to seek and save the lost through love and obedience to our heavenly Father, do the opposite by creating barriers to those who would come. Stories abound about homosexuals, fornicators, drunkards, abusers, thieves and other sinners being turned away at the doors of the worship facility because they are sinners. In so doing, we are exemplifying the adversaries of Christ more so than Christ himself. This is not to say that we are to endorse sin or turn a blind eye to it. The word of God is crystal clear about the dangers of sin and the prohibition against it. If we, however, do not display love and compassion toward the lost, how can they possibly be saved? How can we call ourselves Christians? And interestingly enough, there are none of us that were not ourselves bought out of sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
As we model the one who saved us from our sin, let us all endeavor to be more compassionate toward those who have yet to be saved. There is plenty of time and opportunity to teach righteousness but it will not materialize if we are not first welcoming as we ourselves have been welcomed.
One,
Lee
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Three Pointing Back at Me 10/23/2013
"Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 'Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.' And He answered and said to them, 'Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?'" Matthew 15:1-3
As a young man, I once heard a person say, "I want to be careful about pointing fingers because every time I do it, I find three pointing back at me." Initially, I thought the idea of people standing around pointing at one another was a useless exercise in rudeness. It was not until much later that I was shown the architecture of the hand while pointing the index finger. Indeed, the other three fingers were pointed in the opposite direction.
Jesus' adversaries were always looking for a way to entrap and discredit him. They used every means possible to accomplish their goal. When they could not get at him personally (and make no mistake, it was always about him personally) they would use someone like the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-12) or even his apostles. In this case, they accused the apostles of violating their traditions. By extension, they claimed the guilt of Jesus because he was their teacher.
It must be noted that these traditions were not spiritually binding but had become religiously and socially binding because of the adversaries themselves. They were the people in charge of a religion that ruled local society. Yet Jesus was able to counter by pointing out their failure at upholding what should have been their priority (obedience to the word of God) in favor of their traditions. Specifically, he pointed out their violation of God's commandment to honor father and mother by withholding support of their parents with the excuse of saying their resources were dedicated to God.
Beloved, when we point an accusing finger, there are two things we must consider. First, what is the spirit that motivates us to do it? Are we approaching a person who has violated God's command in privacy and in love that they might recognize, repent and renew or are we simply scandal mongering out of our own spiritual immaturity and failure to love? Second, have we given thought to our own shortcomings? In the previously mentioned incident involving the woman caught in the act of adultery, the accusers wanted to stone her. Jesus famously invited everyone who had no sin to go right ahead. Note that he did not stipulate adultery as the sin, but sin of any type.
Does this mean that because we are all guilty we should never say anything to anyone to help them when they have stumbled? Absolutely not. The Bible says in Galatians 6:1 (NIV), "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted" (emphasis mine). When we point with one finger, let us all be mindful of "the three pointing back at me."
Committed,
Lee
As a young man, I once heard a person say, "I want to be careful about pointing fingers because every time I do it, I find three pointing back at me." Initially, I thought the idea of people standing around pointing at one another was a useless exercise in rudeness. It was not until much later that I was shown the architecture of the hand while pointing the index finger. Indeed, the other three fingers were pointed in the opposite direction.
Jesus' adversaries were always looking for a way to entrap and discredit him. They used every means possible to accomplish their goal. When they could not get at him personally (and make no mistake, it was always about him personally) they would use someone like the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-12) or even his apostles. In this case, they accused the apostles of violating their traditions. By extension, they claimed the guilt of Jesus because he was their teacher.
It must be noted that these traditions were not spiritually binding but had become religiously and socially binding because of the adversaries themselves. They were the people in charge of a religion that ruled local society. Yet Jesus was able to counter by pointing out their failure at upholding what should have been their priority (obedience to the word of God) in favor of their traditions. Specifically, he pointed out their violation of God's commandment to honor father and mother by withholding support of their parents with the excuse of saying their resources were dedicated to God.
Beloved, when we point an accusing finger, there are two things we must consider. First, what is the spirit that motivates us to do it? Are we approaching a person who has violated God's command in privacy and in love that they might recognize, repent and renew or are we simply scandal mongering out of our own spiritual immaturity and failure to love? Second, have we given thought to our own shortcomings? In the previously mentioned incident involving the woman caught in the act of adultery, the accusers wanted to stone her. Jesus famously invited everyone who had no sin to go right ahead. Note that he did not stipulate adultery as the sin, but sin of any type.
Does this mean that because we are all guilty we should never say anything to anyone to help them when they have stumbled? Absolutely not. The Bible says in Galatians 6:1 (NIV), "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted" (emphasis mine). When we point with one finger, let us all be mindful of "the three pointing back at me."
Committed,
Lee
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Don't Judge Me 6/6/2013
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24
It is kind of a running joke in my family that when someone makes a goofy mistake, there comes a loud and defensive, albeit joking, "Don't judge me!" by the perpetrator. The reply, invented by the youngest of the kids is, "It's too late. You've already been judged."
In Christianity, we advocate the avoidance of judging others and cite scriptures like Matt 7:1-2 but then we do it anyway. Jesus addressed this contradiction by referencing the fact that there were those who wanted to kill him for miraculously healing someone on the Sabbath, a day on which no work was to be done. He pointed out that they circumcised babies on the Sabbath when the 8th day after birth fell on that day in order to keep the law but they wanted to destroy him for obeying God's ultimate law of love.
Beloved, it is not that we should not judge, but how we judge, be it favorably or unfavorably. When Jesus said, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged" in Matt 7:21, he was cautioning against having an attitude that results in unjustly looking upon the character of another and making rash and unloving judgments about them. To be sure, we must take a stand for righteousness and be able to correct our brothers and sisters when it is needed (Prov 27:6, Gal 6:1-2); however, we must consider the spirit in which this is done. Do we jump to uninformed and mean spirited conclusions based on what we see on the surface, or worse, what we have heard from others or do we apply love to the situation and treat others as we would want to be treated?
When Jesus healed despite the Sabbath, the rules of which had been extended far beyond what God stipulated by man, he did so out of love for someone who was hurting. His adversaries were upset and accused him of having a demon, being a blasphemer and many other things. This was done out of hatred, using the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law to persecute him. Worse, it was the law that they set aside or reinterpreted when it was convenient to do so, often for much less noble reasons. Everything about this type of judgmental behavior is to be avoided. Jesus has said that when we do that to others, the same will be done to us.
Committed,
Lee
It is kind of a running joke in my family that when someone makes a goofy mistake, there comes a loud and defensive, albeit joking, "Don't judge me!" by the perpetrator. The reply, invented by the youngest of the kids is, "It's too late. You've already been judged."
In Christianity, we advocate the avoidance of judging others and cite scriptures like Matt 7:1-2 but then we do it anyway. Jesus addressed this contradiction by referencing the fact that there were those who wanted to kill him for miraculously healing someone on the Sabbath, a day on which no work was to be done. He pointed out that they circumcised babies on the Sabbath when the 8th day after birth fell on that day in order to keep the law but they wanted to destroy him for obeying God's ultimate law of love.
Beloved, it is not that we should not judge, but how we judge, be it favorably or unfavorably. When Jesus said, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged" in Matt 7:21, he was cautioning against having an attitude that results in unjustly looking upon the character of another and making rash and unloving judgments about them. To be sure, we must take a stand for righteousness and be able to correct our brothers and sisters when it is needed (Prov 27:6, Gal 6:1-2); however, we must consider the spirit in which this is done. Do we jump to uninformed and mean spirited conclusions based on what we see on the surface, or worse, what we have heard from others or do we apply love to the situation and treat others as we would want to be treated?
When Jesus healed despite the Sabbath, the rules of which had been extended far beyond what God stipulated by man, he did so out of love for someone who was hurting. His adversaries were upset and accused him of having a demon, being a blasphemer and many other things. This was done out of hatred, using the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law to persecute him. Worse, it was the law that they set aside or reinterpreted when it was convenient to do so, often for much less noble reasons. Everything about this type of judgmental behavior is to be avoided. Jesus has said that when we do that to others, the same will be done to us.
Committed,
Lee
Monday, March 11, 2013
Don't Major in Minor 3/11/2013
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Rom 14:19
Unfortunately, it is human nature to be critical of one another. When we see the way someone is dressed, how they do a certain thing or how they interact with others, our minds often go to the way we would do it as opposed to what we are witnessing. Further, we can become judgmental of individuals who do not do as we would do. This can lead to discord, damaged relationships and dis-fellowship.
As Jews and Gentiles began to come together in Christianity, there were numerous differences between them. Gentiles, for instance, had no problem eating all sorts of meat without regard to its origin or previous use in sacrificial ceremonies. Jews, on the other hand, avoided meat in an effort to remain ceremonially clean as thousands of years of heritage taught them. Paul made the case that God had long since given his permission to eat all kinds of food, but that those who knew this should not be critical of those who held on to their heritage and in so doing, served God in their way.
For this reason beloved, we must do all we can to seek peace and unity in our common faith. In some worship services it is common to wear suits, ties, dresses and hats, while in others, it is "come as you are." Some have the service arrayed in one order while others another. Some have praise teams while others have a single song leader. As long as we are adhering to the apostle's doctrine (the essentials of the Christian faith) and accomplishing God's good, we should be more tolerant of minor differences and not divide over "disputable matters." Even Jesus was criticized for being a friend of winebibbers, prostitutes and tax collectors. His goal was to seek and save the lost. This should also be our goal and there is more than one way to reach it. Let us seek to build one another up for the Christian task and avoid tearing each other down to the delight of the Enemy.
Committed,
Lee
Unfortunately, it is human nature to be critical of one another. When we see the way someone is dressed, how they do a certain thing or how they interact with others, our minds often go to the way we would do it as opposed to what we are witnessing. Further, we can become judgmental of individuals who do not do as we would do. This can lead to discord, damaged relationships and dis-fellowship.
As Jews and Gentiles began to come together in Christianity, there were numerous differences between them. Gentiles, for instance, had no problem eating all sorts of meat without regard to its origin or previous use in sacrificial ceremonies. Jews, on the other hand, avoided meat in an effort to remain ceremonially clean as thousands of years of heritage taught them. Paul made the case that God had long since given his permission to eat all kinds of food, but that those who knew this should not be critical of those who held on to their heritage and in so doing, served God in their way.
For this reason beloved, we must do all we can to seek peace and unity in our common faith. In some worship services it is common to wear suits, ties, dresses and hats, while in others, it is "come as you are." Some have the service arrayed in one order while others another. Some have praise teams while others have a single song leader. As long as we are adhering to the apostle's doctrine (the essentials of the Christian faith) and accomplishing God's good, we should be more tolerant of minor differences and not divide over "disputable matters." Even Jesus was criticized for being a friend of winebibbers, prostitutes and tax collectors. His goal was to seek and save the lost. This should also be our goal and there is more than one way to reach it. Let us seek to build one another up for the Christian task and avoid tearing each other down to the delight of the Enemy.
Committed,
Lee
Monday, January 30, 2012
Help With Self Improvement-1/30/2012
“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matt 7:3-5
Beloved, some of you may not know the origin or the thought process behind this daily devotional. Despite my privilege of serving as minister to the O’Fallon Church of Christ and all that it entails, I felt my personal walk with God was not close enough (can any ever be?). After long consideration and lots of prayer, I decided that producing a daily devotion would bend my head even more to His study, bend my will even more to His will and build my knowledge, understanding and wisdom that I might be better able to serve Him through serving His people. It occurred to me that others may benefit from this and the distribution was born.
I felt the need to reiterate this statement for two reasons. First, I’d like to remind all who read that most of what is written has to do, with me in on way or another. This is not a preaching forum, a commentary on anyone’s life or an attempt to judge. It is true that certain things are observed in life and human interactions that cry out to be spoken about from a scriptural perspective, but even then it is presented first as a reminder to self and then to those who have elected to receive these thoughts.
Secondly, I find myself humbled by and subject to God’s word just like everyone else. Yesterday, I lovingly approached a very dear friend about an issue I observed. The conversation was lovingly received and we talked for a while. During the course of this chat, it became obvious that my friend could have lovingly approached me about the very same thing. What a revelation that was! While I thought I was helping to remove a speck, I looked past my own log.
This is why my favorite verse in all of the Bible is, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Phil 3:13-14. This is why I stay in His word. I have to. I need to. I thank Him for his lessons from wherever they come. I thank Him for my dear friend and I thank Him for you.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Beloved, some of you may not know the origin or the thought process behind this daily devotional. Despite my privilege of serving as minister to the O’Fallon Church of Christ and all that it entails, I felt my personal walk with God was not close enough (can any ever be?). After long consideration and lots of prayer, I decided that producing a daily devotion would bend my head even more to His study, bend my will even more to His will and build my knowledge, understanding and wisdom that I might be better able to serve Him through serving His people. It occurred to me that others may benefit from this and the distribution was born.
I felt the need to reiterate this statement for two reasons. First, I’d like to remind all who read that most of what is written has to do, with me in on way or another. This is not a preaching forum, a commentary on anyone’s life or an attempt to judge. It is true that certain things are observed in life and human interactions that cry out to be spoken about from a scriptural perspective, but even then it is presented first as a reminder to self and then to those who have elected to receive these thoughts.
Secondly, I find myself humbled by and subject to God’s word just like everyone else. Yesterday, I lovingly approached a very dear friend about an issue I observed. The conversation was lovingly received and we talked for a while. During the course of this chat, it became obvious that my friend could have lovingly approached me about the very same thing. What a revelation that was! While I thought I was helping to remove a speck, I looked past my own log.
This is why my favorite verse in all of the Bible is, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Phil 3:13-14. This is why I stay in His word. I have to. I need to. I thank Him for his lessons from wherever they come. I thank Him for my dear friend and I thank Him for you.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Reaching People Where They Are-1/17/2012
"He said to her, 'Go, call your husband and come here.' The woman answered and said, 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her, 'You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.'” John 4:16-18
It is important to understand the context of this passage. Jesus had arrived in a place called Samaria. As a Jew, this was not a place most would find themselves. The problem was that the occupants of the area were once Jews themselves. The Jewish point of view was that while much of Israel was taken captive by the Babylonians in 721 BC, those who remained in the homeland mixed with the Assyrians making them in the minds of many, unclean half-breeds.
Further, it was very much outside the norm if not considered downright wrong for a Jew of Jesus' rabbinical stature to interact one on one with any female, let alone a Samaritan. At Jesus' request that the woman give him a drink, even the woman asked in verse 9, "How is it that you being a Jew, asks drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans)." So what was Jesus doing? What was he thinking?
Beloved, Jesus was thinking as we all should think. Far too many times, we miss the opportunity to share the gospel because of biases and prejudices. Somewhere within us, we just do not want to deal with "those" people, whoever they may be. Do not make the mistake of thinking this is just about race, ethnicity, color, etc. It also includes sexual preference, religious proclivity or socioeconomic standing, drug use, cohabitation, alcoholism, etc. The list is vast.
Jesus was willing to defy convention and go to a person who had needs. Not only were the circumstances not an issue, they may very well have been the reason for him doing what he did. He once said, "They that are whole have no need of a physician but they that are sick," Matt 9:12. In short, the Lord was willing to meet the Samaritan woman right where she was in the circumstances she was in and ministered to here there.
The epilogue is that she went and told her village who, based on what she told them, came to see and hear Jesus for themselves. After a time with Jesus, they told the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world," John 4:42.
Do you remember when Jesus met you where you were? Thank God for new life.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
It is important to understand the context of this passage. Jesus had arrived in a place called Samaria. As a Jew, this was not a place most would find themselves. The problem was that the occupants of the area were once Jews themselves. The Jewish point of view was that while much of Israel was taken captive by the Babylonians in 721 BC, those who remained in the homeland mixed with the Assyrians making them in the minds of many, unclean half-breeds.
Further, it was very much outside the norm if not considered downright wrong for a Jew of Jesus' rabbinical stature to interact one on one with any female, let alone a Samaritan. At Jesus' request that the woman give him a drink, even the woman asked in verse 9, "How is it that you being a Jew, asks drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans)." So what was Jesus doing? What was he thinking?
Beloved, Jesus was thinking as we all should think. Far too many times, we miss the opportunity to share the gospel because of biases and prejudices. Somewhere within us, we just do not want to deal with "those" people, whoever they may be. Do not make the mistake of thinking this is just about race, ethnicity, color, etc. It also includes sexual preference, religious proclivity or socioeconomic standing, drug use, cohabitation, alcoholism, etc. The list is vast.
Jesus was willing to defy convention and go to a person who had needs. Not only were the circumstances not an issue, they may very well have been the reason for him doing what he did. He once said, "They that are whole have no need of a physician but they that are sick," Matt 9:12. In short, the Lord was willing to meet the Samaritan woman right where she was in the circumstances she was in and ministered to here there.
The epilogue is that she went and told her village who, based on what she told them, came to see and hear Jesus for themselves. After a time with Jesus, they told the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world," John 4:42.
Do you remember when Jesus met you where you were? Thank God for new life.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Thursday, December 15, 2011
He Said, She Said-12/15/2011
"Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others." Eccl 7:21-22
Contextually, Solomon is extolling the virtues of wisdom while simultaneously imparting it. Here we are cautioned to not pay too much attention to the expressions of others where we are concerned. Very often we actively seek or present an inquiring ear for the positive things people say about us. It is human nature to want to hear flowery compliments about our personality, abilities, accomplishments, expressions and the like. This can lead to a false sense of security and reputation that does not represent the whole picture.
Likewise, we must not give undo credence to those who would criticize. People are very quick to form opinions and express them, often based on limited experience and understanding regarding that which they speak. Giving undo credence to these can lead to an ill advised response or an unnecessary alteration.
Perhaps the greatest wisdom contained in the passage is the gentle reminder that we ourselves have been guilty of speaking out of turn about others. The scripture says this has been the case "many times." Sobering. It is well known that everyone has something to say about everyone else. We are card carrying members of "everyone."
Beloved, let us take the whole of Solomon's advice. The apostle Paul put it this way, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me."
1 Cor 4:3-4
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Contextually, Solomon is extolling the virtues of wisdom while simultaneously imparting it. Here we are cautioned to not pay too much attention to the expressions of others where we are concerned. Very often we actively seek or present an inquiring ear for the positive things people say about us. It is human nature to want to hear flowery compliments about our personality, abilities, accomplishments, expressions and the like. This can lead to a false sense of security and reputation that does not represent the whole picture.
Likewise, we must not give undo credence to those who would criticize. People are very quick to form opinions and express them, often based on limited experience and understanding regarding that which they speak. Giving undo credence to these can lead to an ill advised response or an unnecessary alteration.
Perhaps the greatest wisdom contained in the passage is the gentle reminder that we ourselves have been guilty of speaking out of turn about others. The scripture says this has been the case "many times." Sobering. It is well known that everyone has something to say about everyone else. We are card carrying members of "everyone."
Beloved, let us take the whole of Solomon's advice. The apostle Paul put it this way, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me."
1 Cor 4:3-4
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Sin is Sin-9/22/2011
"Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor 6:11
This scripture is found right in the middle of a passage in which Paul is both encouraging Christians to behave righteously and admonishing them for failing to do so. An area of specific focus is a representative list of "wrongdoings" (NIV)that will prevent the inheritance of the kingdom. It so happens that found within this list is homosexuality.
Over the past decade or so, homosexuality has come into greater and greater prominence in our society. Whereas public opinion for most of our country's history was decidedly against, the pendulum has swung to a point where legislatures are legalizing same sex marriage and those who are critical of the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) lifestyle are themselves criticized and at times, publicly castigated.
Beloved, the point of all of this is not a campaign against homosexuality. It is a campaign against sin. Homosexuality is highlighted because it is so polarizing and affects people at a core level. It is, in fact, the issue of the moment. Older Christians will remember Rock and Roll and the fornication it lead to as the scourge of society. What we need to realize is that in Paul's list of wrongdoings, homosexuality comes after sexual immorality, idolatry and adultery. Also included on the list is theft, greed, slander and swindling. This in no way is meant to be a ranking of sin. The purpose here is to say that we should not be unduly focused on homosexuality, but sin itself. James 2:11 says that if a person is guilty of one aspect of the law, they are guilty of the whole. He provides the example, "If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker."
As Christians, we need to guard ourselves because as Paul states, it is we who were formerly guilty of the things he lists. We also need to view those who are still struggling in these areas as the mission field. If we spend all of our time judging and distancing ourselves from wrongdoers, what hope is there that they can ever be saved? Let us pursue righteousness, avoid wrongdoing and help those who are struggling.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
This scripture is found right in the middle of a passage in which Paul is both encouraging Christians to behave righteously and admonishing them for failing to do so. An area of specific focus is a representative list of "wrongdoings" (NIV)that will prevent the inheritance of the kingdom. It so happens that found within this list is homosexuality.
Over the past decade or so, homosexuality has come into greater and greater prominence in our society. Whereas public opinion for most of our country's history was decidedly against, the pendulum has swung to a point where legislatures are legalizing same sex marriage and those who are critical of the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) lifestyle are themselves criticized and at times, publicly castigated.
Beloved, the point of all of this is not a campaign against homosexuality. It is a campaign against sin. Homosexuality is highlighted because it is so polarizing and affects people at a core level. It is, in fact, the issue of the moment. Older Christians will remember Rock and Roll and the fornication it lead to as the scourge of society. What we need to realize is that in Paul's list of wrongdoings, homosexuality comes after sexual immorality, idolatry and adultery. Also included on the list is theft, greed, slander and swindling. This in no way is meant to be a ranking of sin. The purpose here is to say that we should not be unduly focused on homosexuality, but sin itself. James 2:11 says that if a person is guilty of one aspect of the law, they are guilty of the whole. He provides the example, "If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker."
As Christians, we need to guard ourselves because as Paul states, it is we who were formerly guilty of the things he lists. We also need to view those who are still struggling in these areas as the mission field. If we spend all of our time judging and distancing ourselves from wrongdoers, what hope is there that they can ever be saved? Let us pursue righteousness, avoid wrongdoing and help those who are struggling.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Appearances Can Be Deceiving-8/2/2011
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7
God had commissioned his servant Samuel to go and anoint a new king. Saul, God's first anointed turned out to be an utter failure due to his lack of obedience. One of Saul's features was that he stood head and shoulders in height above all the people of Israel. He turned out to be, however, quite small on the inside. In the house of Jesse, there was another tall and good looking man named Eliab whom Samuel thought surely to be the next king. Eliab was not God's choice and Samuel was mistaken.
Beloved, have we ever made the mistake of judging a book by its cover? Do we see the way a person dresses, or appreciate their dimensions or hear the resonance of their voice and begin making assumptions? Conversely, do we see those who are poorly dressed, of extreme dimensions or discordant voice and disregard them? Who among us likes to be judged out of hand? Inevitably our response is, "You don't even know me!" Certainly this is a cry to look past appearances and see the heart before making decisions about the whole person. It is an unfathomable blessing that God does just that.
Samuel was directed by God to choose the youngest of eight boys to be the next anointed king of His people. He was not a soldier like his older brothers, but a keeper of the sheep and still a youth, It was David who had a heart for God (that gave him confidence before Goliath) and was a man after God's own heart.
Let us all seek spiritual discernment that we may see each other's heart rather than just outward appearances.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
God had commissioned his servant Samuel to go and anoint a new king. Saul, God's first anointed turned out to be an utter failure due to his lack of obedience. One of Saul's features was that he stood head and shoulders in height above all the people of Israel. He turned out to be, however, quite small on the inside. In the house of Jesse, there was another tall and good looking man named Eliab whom Samuel thought surely to be the next king. Eliab was not God's choice and Samuel was mistaken.
Beloved, have we ever made the mistake of judging a book by its cover? Do we see the way a person dresses, or appreciate their dimensions or hear the resonance of their voice and begin making assumptions? Conversely, do we see those who are poorly dressed, of extreme dimensions or discordant voice and disregard them? Who among us likes to be judged out of hand? Inevitably our response is, "You don't even know me!" Certainly this is a cry to look past appearances and see the heart before making decisions about the whole person. It is an unfathomable blessing that God does just that.
Samuel was directed by God to choose the youngest of eight boys to be the next anointed king of His people. He was not a soldier like his older brothers, but a keeper of the sheep and still a youth, It was David who had a heart for God (that gave him confidence before Goliath) and was a man after God's own heart.
Let us all seek spiritual discernment that we may see each other's heart rather than just outward appearances.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Such Were Some of Us-DD 2/1/2011
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;"
1Tim 1:12-13
Beloved, we all have a past. For some, that past might be as recent as yesterday. Each of us can think back to things that we used to do and ways we used to live and hang our heads in shame. Thank the Lord that he has delivered us.
As others make that same transition, we must be mindful of the standard to which we hold them. We, who through the grace of God, have become dyed in the wool Christians can often look down our noses at those who are currently living reprobate lives but struggling toward the light. We can be very quick to tell them what they are doing is wrong instead of helping them to understand what is right.
There are two things that it is important that we remember. The first is that we were not always the saints that we have become. 1 Cor 6:9-10 contains a list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God and then pointedly states in verse 11, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." Secondly, the same Savior to whom we owe our lives and who called us, calls others who are in the condition that was previously ours. In Matt 9:10-13, Jesus was having a meal with sinners. When the Pharisees questioned it, Jesus replied, "They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick (do)."
Jesus came to heal and forgive. As his disciples, let us emulate the master and not hinder those who would come to him, but help. Let those who were served and saved, serve and save others.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
1Tim 1:12-13
Beloved, we all have a past. For some, that past might be as recent as yesterday. Each of us can think back to things that we used to do and ways we used to live and hang our heads in shame. Thank the Lord that he has delivered us.
As others make that same transition, we must be mindful of the standard to which we hold them. We, who through the grace of God, have become dyed in the wool Christians can often look down our noses at those who are currently living reprobate lives but struggling toward the light. We can be very quick to tell them what they are doing is wrong instead of helping them to understand what is right.
There are two things that it is important that we remember. The first is that we were not always the saints that we have become. 1 Cor 6:9-10 contains a list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God and then pointedly states in verse 11, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." Secondly, the same Savior to whom we owe our lives and who called us, calls others who are in the condition that was previously ours. In Matt 9:10-13, Jesus was having a meal with sinners. When the Pharisees questioned it, Jesus replied, "They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick (do)."
Jesus came to heal and forgive. As his disciples, let us emulate the master and not hinder those who would come to him, but help. Let those who were served and saved, serve and save others.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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