God's Word on That

  • Judge Fairly

    Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be [used on] you (Matthew 7:1-2). Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way (Romans 14:13).

    Our job is to accept people and let the Holy Spirit bring conviction of sin in His timing. We are to join the ministry of reconciliation, not condemnation. The only time we confront a brother or sister is because we care about their relationship to God, not with other humans (2 Corinthians 5:19).

    There is only one Law-giver and one Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy. But you — who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:12) Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment (John 7:24).

    Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned (Luke 6:37). Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes (1 Corinthians 4:5).

    We have the job of reconciling others to Christ – while we are all on this planet together.

  • The Gift of You

    In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul explains that we are all built up together. We are like a building with many rooms. Yet we are all different. There is a music room designed to enhance the sound of the instruments, and there is a drawing room designed to draw people into groups to share in conversations. Not all of us can be music rooms and not all can be drawing rooms. I say “Thank God I don’t have to be the music room” – and you would too if you heard my singing.

    Paul uses the analogy of a body, yet he points out that the foot does not get jealous because someone says, “You have a beautiful face”. With such comments the whole body smiles and feels lighter.

    We have different gifts, according to the grace given us (Romans 12:6). Our job is not to worry about what the other parts are doing or not doing. Jesus is the Head; that’s His job. The world around us will prompt us to compare ourselves with others – to be the same, then to become arrogant or discouraged with ourselves. But the Spirit of God teaches us that each one of us is different, put here for different reasons and given different gifts on purpose. Let’s make God smile by using the gift He endowed us with.

  • Exercising Self-Control

    Everything is permissible for me – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me – but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).

    Paul is saying to the church at Corinth that we are not free to break the law, but we are free to not sin under the law, or be condemned by it. We are free from the law (Romans 8:2), but that doesn’t allow our desires to run rampant. This message to the Corinthians is a warning to be aware of anything that may control us.

    Self-control secures our freedom to love, to experience joy, to know peace, to respond with patience, to have a kind disposition, to act out goodness, to step in faithfulness, to agree with gentleness. Self-control is the ability to make choices which invite and enhance the authority and filling by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It is a decision to remain within the boundaries of victory.

    The Spirit of God lives in us (1 Corinthians 6:19), and self-control is our wall of protection for Him to work. Therefore self-control is like a wall of protection surrounding us, dramatically reducing our vulnerability to the enemy.

  • The Law of Opportunity

    We have been liberated from law-keeping as a means of justification and righteousness (Romans 3:21). Yes, we need a law to live by, but we don’t have to worry about the old law, the foods to eat and what to wear. Now there is a new law: Take into account the people around you (Romans 13:8).

    Romans 12:1 through 13:10 give wonderful guidelines that urge believers to offer their lives fully and completely to the Lord. As Christians we are no longer to conform to worldly standards – this should impact every area of our lives as well as our daily conduct.

    Sometimes the key to survival is simply “setting your jaw” and going on faithfully, trusting God is there beside us despite the circumstances. Choosing joy through hope rather than despair, choosing patient endurance in time of affliction, choosing faithfulness in prayer over other opportunities – are all decisions of the Will (Romans 12:12). We trust that God – who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) – can also change the circumstances because He hears and listens to our voice (Isaiah 65:24).

    We are to support one another in every opportunity given to us. And the day is full of opportunity.

  • Living for Today

    I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food and the body more than [something to drape] clothes [on] (Luke 12:22-23). Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15).

    The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me (John 12:25-26).

    “The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day” (Exodus 16:4). Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own [to occupy your time and thoughts] (Matthew 6:14).

    Don’t worry about tomorrow. God’s promises are for today. Relax and enjoy Him.

  • What is Reality?

    God’s laws were given to protect and promote man’s happiness, not to restrict it.  God wants the best for us.  He has laid down spiritual laws which, if obeyed, bring harmony and fulfillment. 

    We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual (Romans 7:14). If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise [in spiritual things]. (1 Corinthians 3:18).

    The spirit realm is reality, the material realm is only supplemental. Spiritual vision depends on our character, since “the pure in heart shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Like all knowledge, spiritual knowledge may make you feel relief, but unless you actually implement your knowledge – take proper action to cement it in your brain – your knowledge will simply remain knowledge. It will not transform to wisdom!

    You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (1 Peter 2:4-5).

    Things in our world feel “real” but the spiritual realm is “reality”.

  • Give Freely

    I tell you who hear me: love you enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. (Luke 6:27-30).

    Love your enemies; do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back (Luke 6:35). Do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Rather be open-handed and freely lend him whatever he needs (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to (Deuteronomy 15:10).

    Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely (Psalm 112:5). One man gives freely, yet gains even more (Proverbs 11:24). Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).

    God wants us to share what we have. It all belongs to Him anyway.

  • In the Midst of the Storm

    While studying Acts today, I ran across some truths that we can learn from Paul’s shipwreck incident.

    1. Paul knew from his feelings that disaster was coming. Yet when God speaks a promise to Paul, all that changes. Have faith when God gives you a promise!
    2. God can speak even [or especially] through the storm; we must be ready and listening.
    3. God may run us aground somewhere before He gets us to our final destination, but all will be well. It is probably for the betterment of those around us.
    4. No matter where God puts us, He always gives us support. Get rid of your idea of what a miracle is, and God is free to show you what He can do for you.

    The secret to godliness is: “This is God’s will for me right now” – no matter what is going on, or what it looks like, or if it’s unpleasant to go through.

    We all face storms; and we all have a Companion willing to sail with us.

  • Facing Something Difficult?

    And the Lord said to Moses, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened?” (Numbers 11:23) Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14) You are the Lord, the God of all mankind. Nothing is too hard for You! (Jeremiah 32:27)

    So I will look to You, Lord, and Your strength. I will seek Your face always — at all times – in everything I do (1 Chronicles 16:11). For I remember that You, gracious Father, reward those who diligently seek You (Hebrews 11:6). Those who seek You, Gracious God, lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10). As I first seek Your Kingdom and its needs, all things will be added to me as I need them (Matthew 6:33). My power and ability and sufficiency are from You, God Himself (2 Corinthians 3:5). I give cheerfully and You, my God, make all grace flow to me in abundance, so that in all things at all times, having all sufficiency in all that is needed, I abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).

    Praise and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength be to our God both now and forever. Amen! (Revelation 7:12).

    God has created water in the desert before. Nothing is impossible with Our God!

  • Let the Light Shine

    You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

    For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). … To purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good (Titus 2:14).

    For it is God’s will that by doing good works you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men (1 Peter 2:15). So live such good lives among the pagans, that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us (1 Peter 2:12).

    Let His magnificent Light shine through you.