JUDGEMENT

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is on the topic of judging and judgement. It’s not an easy topic to get to grips with. John Gill’s commentary on this is very helpful and is found here-under:

Matthew 7:1 - Judge not, that ye be not judged.

This is not to be understood of any sort of judgment.

1.     Not of judgment in the civil courts of justice, by proper magistrates. This ought to be made and passed, according to the nature of the case;

2.     Nor of judgment in the churches of Christ, where offenders are to be called to an account, examined, tried, and dealt with according to the rules of the Gospel;

3.     Nor of every private judgment, which one man may make upon another, without any detriment to him;

It means rash judgment; interpreting men's words and deeds to the worst sense. Do not then, censure them severely. Do not pass sentence on them, with respect to their eternal state and condition.

Good is the advice given by the famous Hillel who lived a little before Christ's time: - "Do not judge thy neighbour, (says he,) until thou comest into his place.''

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 25 September 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	JUDGEMENT
As a young apprentice in England, I came across many tradesmen. Some were excellent. There was one “old man” I’ll never forget. He must have been well into his seventies and continued to come to work. He took care of the tool caravan. He could chisel a channel in a piece of metal that you would think was cut by a machine. He sharpened drills by hand just as well as it had come from the manufacturers. He was from the “old school” of tradesmen who did just about anything. Another man from those days was in his mid-thirties. But when you listened to him he must surely have been in his early nineties. No matter what anyone said or did, he had been there and done it. He had become a “pathological liar”. He believed everything he said. Over the past fifty odd years, I’ve found some honest and mature Christians upon whom Phyllida and I can depend. As honest as the day is long and with deep devotion to Jesus Christ, they were man and women from whom we could learn and emulate. Not many, but they were there if you took the trouble to look. Sadly, we’ve also came across others who were not trustworthy. Our problem has always been trying to find a way to cope with what they have done and are doing. The difficulty we both face is how to deal with this from a Christian angle. How do you handle lying, dishonest people who claim to be Christians? How do you do this without “judging” them? The easy way is to be like the priest in Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan. Walk by on the other side of the street and take no notice. We all have this ability. Stopping them and talking would only “waste time we haven’t got in ministry”! But what about our responsibility to the Lord and to our brothers and sisters in the Lord? If we say nothing and do nothing, are we not allowing that person to continue harming other Christians? Is that the right thing to do? Not at all. Paul comments as follows; 1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.1 Cor. 5:1-3 ESV How do we equate Paul’s statement with Jesus’ command, “Judge not, that you be not judged”. The idea of judging the sin and not the sinner is a convenient “cop out”. If Joe Soap has murdered someone, do we let him go but say murder is a sin? You can’t do that. Justice must be done and Joe Soap must be held responsible. In this case, to let him go because we mustn’t judge is nonsense. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			16 And this is the message I proclaim--that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life. Romans 2:16 NLT 5 So don't judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord returns. He will bring to light what is hidden in the dark. He will show the real reasons why people do what they do. At that time each person will receive praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 NIrV 22 "Also, the Father does not judge anyone. He has given the Son the task of judging. John 5:22 NIrV 27 "He has also given the Son authority to pass judgment because he is the Son of Man. John 5:27 GW 18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. Revelation 2:18 ESV 11 They say, "How can God know what we're doing? Does the Most High God really know that much?" Psalms 73:11 NIrV 21 I kept a quiet patience while you did these things; you thought I went along with your game. I'm calling you on the carpet, now, laying your wickedness out in plain sight. Psalms 50:21 MSG 2 You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. Luke 12:2 MSG 9 Lord, everything I really want is clearly known to you. You always hear me when I sigh. Psalms 38:9 NIrV 2 Examine me, O LORD, and test me. Look closely into my heart and mind. Psalms 26:2 GW	"Judge not, that you be not judged.” Is what the master said. And yet we keep on doing it; His words aren’t in our head. Matthew Chapter seven verse one is where you see The warning that the Master gave to folk like you and me. In fact, we’re rather good at it; and here’s the reason why. We think we’re so much better than all whom we espy! “I am the Master’s favourite. He thinks I am the best.” But when it comes right down to it, I’m sorry friend, you jest. For all the playful joking which we have all rehearsed. Determines every attitude with which we have been cursed.  “You’re not as bad as what you think” the Master said to me! You’re worse and what is tragic you do not look and see! I know what’s down inside you. You can’t hide it away. I know what you are thinking each second of your day. It isn’t edifying and if the others knew, They’d shun you like a rabid plague and have nothing to do, With anything you say to them. Their praise would be disdain And nobody would speak to you until I come again!” “I know You’re right Lord Jesus. I love to judge my peers. Help me change my attitude and help me dry my tears. Help me know that others are not as bad as me. That I deserve Your judgement. Lord Jesus hear my plea. Cleanse my inner motives. Disinfect my mind. May I only see my sin. And never seek to find, What’s happening to others. That isn’t my concern. You are the only Righteous judge. From sin please help me turn. I see your eyes of fire; Your bronzed and burnished feet. You know what has been tucked away. The lying and deceit. O Lord, please don’t expose me. Put all my sin away. Come and cleanse my inner man. To You O Lord I pray. Help me be converted in heart and mind and soul. May the life of Jesus be my one and only goal. Try me Lord and test me. Help me take off the Mask Is this too much to pray for? Is it too much to ask? But Lord you are forgiving. Please come and set me free. That everything I think and say will be controlled by Thee. Jim Strickland Written 25th September 2012