Pastor’s Blog 3.27.19

This is part two of lasts week blog “Should a Christian judge?”

In our current Church culture, a “judgment free zone” has been declared. If a leader attempts to bring correction to a behavior the Bible condemns, people may respond, “you don’t have the right to judge me”. Thus they continue in the lifestyle of sin and live in false security based on false doctrine and confirmation. Well, didn’t Jesus tell us not to judge? Yes, in context.

Matthew 7:1-6

7:1 “Judge  not, that you be not judged. 

2 For with what judgment you judge , you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 

3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 

4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 

5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 

6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. NKJV

Now let’s read this in the Passion translation…

“Refuse to be a critic full of bias toward others, and judgment will not be passed on you. For you’ll be judged by the same standard that you’ve used to judge others. The measurement you use on them will be used on you. Why would you focus on the flaw in someone else’s life and yet fail to notice the glaring flaws of your own? How could you say to your friend, ‘Let me show you where you’re wrong,’ when you’re guilty of even more? You’re being hypercritical and a hypocrite! First acknowledge your own ‘blind spots’ and deal with them, and then you’ll be capable of dealing with the ‘blind spot’ of your friend.

“Who would hang earrings on a dog’s ear or throw pearls in front of wild pigs? They’ll only trample them under their feet and then turn around and tear you to pieces!Matthew 7:1-6 TPT

In context, in a more American English translation we get further light on the subject of judging. We all know critical people don’t we? We know those who live to pick apart everyone who does not agree with them. We know those who think they are right and everyone else is wrong, are closed minded and have no grace for others’ opinions. Jesus is warning us in these scriptures not to be hypocrites who hold others to standards we ourselves can’t conform to. We all have a temptation to do this and it seems those with the strongest personalities fall prey to this temptation often.

I have a strong temptation to become critical of other Church leaders when I see how they lead in the Church and have to continually check myself. I have to check myself when I see others who appear to be having a greater success than I am and I know the reason for the success with man – is based in compromise and man pleasing rather than preaching the truth that men don’t always want to hear. David of old had the same issue.

I have been corrected, comforted and confirmed by this Psalm many times over the last 35 years of ministry…

Psalm 73 1-28 TPT

Asaph’s psalm

No one can deny it—God is really good to Israel

and to all those with pure hearts.

But I nearly missed seeing it for myself.

Here’s my story: I came so close to missing the way.

I was stumbling over what I saw with the wicked.

For when I saw the boasters with such wealth and prosperity,

I became jealous over their smug security.

4–5 Indulging in whatever they wanted, going where they wanted,

doing what they wanted, and with no care in the world.

No pain, no problems, they seemed to have it made.

They lived as though life would never end.

They didn’t even try to hide their pride and opulence.

Cruelty and violence is part of their lifestyle.

Pampered and pompous, vice oozes from their souls;

they overflow with vanity.

They’re such snobs—looking down their noses.

They even scoff at God!

They are nothing but bullies threatening God’s people.

Loudmouths with no fear of God, pretending to know it all.

Windbags full of hot air, impressing only themselves.

Yet the people keep coming back to listen

to more of their nonsense.

They tell their cohorts, “God will never know.

See, he has no clue of what we’re doing.”

These are the wicked ones I’m talking about!

They never have to lift a finger,

living a life of ease while their riches multiply.

Have I been foolish to play by the rules and keep my life pure?

Here I am suffering under your discipline day after day.

I feel like I’m being punished all day long.

If I had given in to my pain and spoken of what I was really feeling,

it would have sounded like unfaithfulness to the next generation.

When I tried to understand it all, I just couldn’t.

It was too puzzling—too much of a riddle to me.

But then one day I was brought into the sanctuaries of God,

and in the light of glory, my distorted perspective vanished.

Then I understood that the destiny of the wicked was near!

They’re the ones who are on the slippery path,

and God will suddenly let them slide off into destruction

to be consumed with terrors forever!

It will be an instant end to all their life of ease;

a blink of the eye and they’re swept away by sudden calamity!

They’re all nothing more than momentary monarchs—

soon to disappear like a dream when one awakes.

When the rooster crows,

Lord God, you’ll despise their life of fantasies.

When I saw all of this, what turmoil filled my heart,

piercing my opinions with your truth.

I was so stupid. I was senseless and ignorant,

acting like a brute beast before you, Lord.

Yet, in spite of all this, you comfort me by your counsel;

you draw me closer to you.

You lead me with your secret wisdom.

And following you brings me into your brightness and glory!

Whom have I in heaven but you? You’re all I want!

No one on earth means as much to me as you.

Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace.

But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence

protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need!

Those who abandon the worship of God will perish.

The false and unfaithful will be silenced, never heard from again.

But I’ll keep coming closer and closer to you, Lord Yahweh,

for your name is good to me. I’ll keep telling the world of

your awesome works, my faithful and glorious God!

I have lived long enough now to have watched the rebels buried. I have many minister friends who would never come under authority and always seemed to come out smelling like a rose. Well, they are dead. They died before their time so to speak, and the laws of sowing and reaping will not be mocked. Let’s keep ourselves pure, obey the truth and live a good long life of blessing!

Be blessed indeed!