Pastor’s Blog 3.2.18

Judgment, sounds final doesn’t it? I guess in many ways it is, but there is a difference between judgement and final judgment. The final judgment, or the Great White Throne Judgment, is spoken of in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 20:11-21:1

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. NKJV

The society of American culture have changed the way people look at judgment in the last decade. Many cry “don’t judge me” or say “you don’t have a right to judge me”. That may or may not be true depending on the situation and circumstance. Tell a Circuit Court Judge he doesn’t have a right to judge you and see how that works out. I may not have the authority to judge someone, but I can judge good and evil, if the motives are clear and circumstances are truly revealed. There are many Biblical references that tell us we must, at times, pronounce judgments on certain people to protect the flock of God.

It seems a little ironic to me that many who cry out don’t judge me, have themselves, had no problem with judging God Himself. How does the cliché question go? “If God is such a good God, why does evil exist in the world?” The immoral majority of American culture has indeed passed judgment on God, His Law, AND His motives.

What about us in the Church? How do we judge God and His word? I want to judge that God is faithful and His word is true, don’t you? I was thinking about this as I combat doubt and unbelief in my life daily. Daily, I gaze at the promises of God and have to decide if I will continue to confess that I believe they are true. Circumstantial evidence seems to contradict the promises of God almost daily! Thank God, for the supernatural power, of the gift of faith that the Lord has given to us! When pain screams you’re sick! Faith answers, “By Jesus stripes I am healed!” When my bank account screams, you’re broke! My faith answers, “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!” When my flesh fails to be holy and my conscience condemns me, my faith cries out, “I am the righteousness God in Christ Jesus!

I could go on and on but I hope you got the point. The accuser of the brethren is also the accuser of God, and tries to get us to through circumstantial evidence, to side with him and judge God as unfaithful to keep His promises. Job, is said to be the oldest book in our Bible, and he got it right in the end.

Job 42:1-10 The Message

42:1 (JOB WORSHIPS GOD) I Babbled On About Things Far Beyond Me Job answered GOD:

2 “I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans.

3 You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’ I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head.

4 You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking. Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’

5 I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand — from my own eyes and ears!

6 I’m sorry — forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”

7 GOD RESTORES JOB I Will Accept His Prayer After GOD had finished addressing Job, he turned to Eliphaz the Temanite and said, “I’ve had it with you and your two friends. I’m fed up! You haven’t been honest either with me or about me — not the way my friend Job has.

8 So here’s what you must do. Take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my friend Job. Sacrifice a burnt offering on your own behalf. My friend Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer. He will ask me not to treat you as you deserve for talking nonsense about me, and for not being honest with me, as he has.”

9 They did it. Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did what GOD commanded. And GOD accepted Job’s prayer.

10 After Job had interceded for his friends, GOD restored his fortune — and then doubled it!

Job misjudged God for 41 chapters and got it right in the end. See, it matters not if you started wrong, as long as you finish right. Take some time, reflect, and ask Holy Spirit to show you any wrong judgments you have or have made towards God. Examine your heart and repent. Then, determine that no matter what the accuser says or who he uses to speak through, you are set on God’s word and He is faithful and true!

I just take it by faith God is Good!!!

Be Blessed!
Pastor Dave