There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:12
I am created in the image of God----> I represent God----> I am Junior God----> I am like God
It seems to be a slippery slope to reach a place of judgement and condemnation, doesn't it. Or maybe it's just me. God created us in His image and so it's very easy for us to get an overinflated sense of self. I really like how Beth laid it out in a very clear path just how easy it is to get there.
How are you most prone to play judge?
When I see other Christians talking about how holy they are or spouting off about their faith and then acting completely opposite to what the bible says, I have a very, very hard time not judging them. I can look at things non-Christians do with sympathy, empathy, grace and forgiveness, but give me a Christian who hides behind their faith and the judgey side of me cannot be contained.
Lisa: Me too! I know we've talked about this before, but I struggle with the same thing. Maybe it's because I have lived on the "unsaved" side of the fence and know what it's like to be totally turned off of the Christians around me, but I can love the lost all day long, but a hypocritical "Christian" playing church instead of actually being the church makes my blood boil with judgement.
Lisa: Me too! I know we've talked about this before, but I struggle with the same thing. Maybe it's because I have lived on the "unsaved" side of the fence and know what it's like to be totally turned off of the Christians around me, but I can love the lost all day long, but a hypocritical "Christian" playing church instead of actually being the church makes my blood boil with judgement.
To Love your neighbor. as yourself
Lisa: I made a note in the margin here: Do I really like/love myself when I behave "bad". When I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit about something and continue to live a certain way...am I really loving myself for the things that I am doing? Maybe I'm just looking for a loophole here, but, just thought I'd throw it out there.
Read Matthew 7:1-2. Does it make you squirm a little?
It does because God clearly says that we will be judged just as harshly for judging others.
Lisa: Yep! I'm squirming! We will be judged in the way that we judge others. Yikes!
To make sure we get the major point from Romans 2:2, what do we know about God's judgment?
That Gods judgment is the only judgment that is based on TRUTH.
Lisa: Nothing really to add here: God's judgement is based on the truth.
I was really glad to see Beth talk about the difference in and the right of a Godly community holding believers accountable, too. Especially when she reiterates that the difference is in the spirit conviction versus the human state of judgment. People who walk in the Spirit judge things. Not people.
Lisa: Favorite quote: "Humanly speaking, a fine line can squiggle between wise discernment and sinful judging. We need discernment in the worst way and we also need to know when to distance ourselves from the spiritually dangerous people."
This and the next paragraph which is a quote by Dr. Douglas Moo, really made me think about the decisions regarding our church, and also the way that your brother in-law runs his church. Lots to talk about tomorrow!
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