Jul 10, 2013
Jul 9, 2013
Jul 8, 2013
Mind Your Bees Wax!
FUEL Students,
check out Matthew 7:1-6
Jesus teaches us, in this portion of the sermon on the mount, that we shouldn't "judge" others. Well at least somewhat. Its easy to look at this passage and assume that Jesus is saying we should never Judge people, or point out the flaws, character issues, and bad habits that we may see in others. This perspective has worked its way into may Christian's lives to the point that there is an "over tolerance" of sin or acceptance "misbelief" in peoples lives.
Then you also have the flip side, the "extremist" who not only doesn't tolerate but utterly condemns people for the things that they have done or the sin in which they are entrapped by. So the question is what is Jesus teaching us here? What does the bible teach on "judging"?
Well, here in Matthew 7 its important to note that Jesus is not condemning judging people solely on the basis that people shouldn't be judged, but on the basis that he or she that Judges better have taken care of their own issues first. Jesus especially had in mind the "Pharisee's" when he taught this. They were the leading religious leaders of Jesus day and they were far from right with God. They were a good example of "Judging" others yet having a "plank" in their own eye. So we are warned not to be like them, that we must deal with what's in our own lives first before we deal with what's in someone else's life.
Even so, are we still supposed to judge people? Yes and No. Read 1 Corinthians 5:12. Paul says "what business is it of mine to judge those who are "outside" the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" Paul teaches us here that we as "believers," those who have been judge by Christ and have received a new nature have no place to judge those who don't believe. They have not yet entered into that Covenant with Christ. Therefore they still are living according to their flesh and don't know any better. Paul explains that we are to judge one another that are "within" the church. We all profess a life changing experience in Christ, therefore we are to speak into one another and restore one another if there is need of it.
The reason for not "judging" the world incase you have questions as to why we wouldn't since we are the "light of the world." Is found in Matthew 7:6. I like what the Fire Bible Student Edition says in the commentary on page 1282. It says this:
So when it comes to the world, leave it to God to Judge. When it comes fellow friends/ believers be sure an deal with your own sin (plank) first then speak the truth in love to your neighbor with love and genuine concern. If the attitude of your heart is still contempt for that person you should wait and ask the Lord for your heart to be right first. God could use you to restore another person to a solid and consistent walk with Him through your obedience, love and confidentiality.
This is inspired by students who have recently done this and may not even realize they changed a life by doing so!
Comment and let me know if you have ever spoken up to a friend and by doing so it caused them to be better for it. (Remember no names, or places)
God is Able!
Pastor B
check out Matthew 7:1-6
Jesus teaches us, in this portion of the sermon on the mount, that we shouldn't "judge" others. Well at least somewhat. Its easy to look at this passage and assume that Jesus is saying we should never Judge people, or point out the flaws, character issues, and bad habits that we may see in others. This perspective has worked its way into may Christian's lives to the point that there is an "over tolerance" of sin or acceptance "misbelief" in peoples lives.
Then you also have the flip side, the "extremist" who not only doesn't tolerate but utterly condemns people for the things that they have done or the sin in which they are entrapped by. So the question is what is Jesus teaching us here? What does the bible teach on "judging"?
Well, here in Matthew 7 its important to note that Jesus is not condemning judging people solely on the basis that people shouldn't be judged, but on the basis that he or she that Judges better have taken care of their own issues first. Jesus especially had in mind the "Pharisee's" when he taught this. They were the leading religious leaders of Jesus day and they were far from right with God. They were a good example of "Judging" others yet having a "plank" in their own eye. So we are warned not to be like them, that we must deal with what's in our own lives first before we deal with what's in someone else's life.
Even so, are we still supposed to judge people? Yes and No. Read 1 Corinthians 5:12. Paul says "what business is it of mine to judge those who are "outside" the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" Paul teaches us here that we as "believers," those who have been judge by Christ and have received a new nature have no place to judge those who don't believe. They have not yet entered into that Covenant with Christ. Therefore they still are living according to their flesh and don't know any better. Paul explains that we are to judge one another that are "within" the church. We all profess a life changing experience in Christ, therefore we are to speak into one another and restore one another if there is need of it.
The reason for not "judging" the world incase you have questions as to why we wouldn't since we are the "light of the world." Is found in Matthew 7:6. I like what the Fire Bible Student Edition says in the commentary on page 1282. It says this:
"Jesus follows his warning about making undue judgments by saying that we should "not give dogs what is sacred" or "throw pearls to pigs." He is saying that there is no use in trying to teach or correct a person beyond their capacity to understand the truth. This explains why it is usually ineffective for Gods followers to attempt to correct sinful behaviors in the world by "attacking" those who are still enslaved to sin. This only leads to greater opposition and resistance as ungodly people tend to trample on the truth."-FBSE
So when it comes to the world, leave it to God to Judge. When it comes fellow friends/ believers be sure an deal with your own sin (plank) first then speak the truth in love to your neighbor with love and genuine concern. If the attitude of your heart is still contempt for that person you should wait and ask the Lord for your heart to be right first. God could use you to restore another person to a solid and consistent walk with Him through your obedience, love and confidentiality.
This is inspired by students who have recently done this and may not even realize they changed a life by doing so!
Comment and let me know if you have ever spoken up to a friend and by doing so it caused them to be better for it. (Remember no names, or places)
God is Able!
Pastor B
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