Author, speaker and national talk show host Julie Roys asks a twofold question: Are Christians supposed to judge or not judge? And just what is the Christian standard?
Here are Julie Roys’ 5 biblically-based principles concerning judging….
It happened when I posted something to social media lamenting author Jen Hatmaker’s disastrous decision to affirm gay unions. It happened again when I criticized a Saturday Night Live writer for attacking Barron Trump, the 10-year-old son of the president. Truth is, it happens anytime I make a judgment about anything or anyone.
“Christians are not to pass judgments, only state the truths,” one person commented.
“Christ taught us to LOVE EVERYONE. Judgments are for our father in heaven, not us,” said another.
And ironically, someone even stated, “You obviously are not a Christian because Jesus told us not to judge.”
In some ways, these statements reflect the ethic of our culture. Judging is wrong – except when it’s not. (Apparently, it’s wrong to judge someone’s sexual behavior, for example, but perfectly legitimate to judge someone for wearing fur or emitting too much carbon.) Yet, we judge all the time. (How could anyone hire a babysitter without judging?)
As David S. Oderberg, professor of philosophy at University of Reading, wrote, “We in the liberal, democratic West live in a society with a split personality, deriving from our own individual dissociative traits. . . . We do not want to appear (or even to be) judgmental, but we also know that we do judge our fellows continuously, and believe this is often justified.”
As Christians, we take our cues from Scripture, not culture. But even Scripture appears to give conflicting messages about judging. In Matthew 7:1, Jesus says, “Do not judge,” but in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, the apostle Paul says, “(T)he Lord’s people will judge the world. . . How much more the things of this life!”
So what gives? Are Christians supposed to judge or not judge? And just what is the Christian standard?
As someone who regularly writes and speaks publicly, this is something I have sought to understand. And it’s really not all that complicated when one studies the Scriptures in context, and considers the whole counsel of Scripture, not just a few select verses. So in the interest of clarity, I offer the following biblically-based principles concerning judging. Continue reading
Related:
Does the Bible really say we’re not to judge By Marsha West
“Jesus said you shouldn’t judge” By Tim Barnett
See our White Paper on Discernment
Judging applies to the Bride judging those that call themselves Christians. Judging the world is not up to us, when we judge, the standard has to be scripture, not us, not our feelings, not our preconceived notions. Judging ourselves is how we test if we are in the faith. The error of “no judging” has done more harm to the body than any open heresy would, it has been used by false teachers to introduce poison to the pulpit, keep the sheep in line and to shield themselves from scrutiny, as we are commanded to do. The Shack is just one example. Theologically weak Christians flock to that abomination as if it’s the truth, long ago having ceased studying scripture and abandoning The Word for a feel good, watered down, faux gospel that has some key words, but no substance, a gospel that doesn’t set free. These folks don’t believe judgement is coming to this world, as God’s love trumps everything, the blind leading the blind. They don’t read about the real attributes of God, yet they scurry to a false representation of His word.
I loved the shack, I gave it to a lot of non Christian friends because although it is a work of fiction, that its portrayal of the trinity helped them to understand my faith and me a little better.
You gave them a book that teaches a fake Jesus and preaches no gospe.l..which is the power of God unto salvation according too Paul. Jesus came to earth to pay for our sins on the cross with his blood. We must repent, turning to him from sin…or perish in hell fire for eternity.
If the God in the Shack does not share that message then He/She/it is not the God of the Bible, aka the one true God. I suggest you repent of sending your friends to a false God that cannot save their souls…and replace that gift with a Bible, preferably one based on the Textus Receptus.
Peace to you, along the sharp two-edged sword of truth, which is the word.
God is so amazing, and can use many things to bring people to a greater understanding. All my friends have Bibles – but without the Holy Spirit – the Bible may be difficult to access.
I hope that I am a good enough conduit of Gods love and that I also might help my friends to find him.
I do not focus on heaven and hell, for me just doing Gods will is enough of a reward. Just being with him on my journey through life is payment enough without thinking about eternal life. I sometimes find that people can focus too much on their own reward at the end, which can make Christianity seem selfish rather than the humbleness of just being in his presence day by day!
God can use the beauty and glory of his creation to show us his love for us…but he only speaks to us through the truth of his word. What is truth? Jesus Christ says to the Father, “Thy word is truth.” John 17:17.
Books that make a false Father, a false son and a false Holy Spirit, can speak to the hearts of men and women, but it speaks lies….lies that end in death and hell. We all get happy, tingly feelings at times…but those feelings mean nothing in terms of the reality of God unless they line up clearly and perfectly with the scriptures. Otherwise anyone can make up a fake Jesus that meets their needs, as Paul and Peter warned us would happen.
I would encourage you to focus more on heaven and hell then anything else. We are but a passing mist on this earth, and it will, one day, burn to crisp. Eternity in heaven or eternity in the lake of fire never, ever end. I don’t think you understand these things because I don’t think you know or want to know what the word, in full, says.
Paul says that if all we have is this life then we are to be pitied among men. That should tell you your thinking is backwards. All I care about is you in heaven, along with the people you influence. I’d rethink everything, and grab a nice, fat KJV then read it and meditate on it day and night. Shalom.
The verses judge not or you will be judged Mat.7:1 and there is only one judge but you, who are you to judge you neighbor James 4:12. If you bite and devour each other watch out or you will destroy each other Gal. 5:15.These apply more to those who know them and ignore them.
I never went to church much as I though church people were hypocritical and judgmental. I went to one a couple friends went to and left after 5 months and said I would never go to church again. The pastor took a comment I made and used it in a sermon in front of 2oo people. It was a comment I was going to correct but one you thinks just goes unnoticed.
Seven years later at a church I had never been to the pastor said I want to welcome all who abused by their former church. After the service he said in 25 years he had never said that and at the time wondered why. Jer. 1:9 says He puts words in our mouth.
Five years later, twelve years after I left the town where this abuse occurred I was back visiting someone and he said some women are having Bible study downstairs. I went down to share my testimony and the first person I saw was a woman who turned her back on us because of what the pastor told her.
HE KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS, OUR WORDS AND OUR DEEDS. That is why every day I say forgive me for my thoughts, words and deeds that are not kind.
I lost my pass to a tournament and as I was walking to the table I was thinking I would say do you remember me from yesterday. Before I opened my mouth she said I remember you from yesterday. I sat down and after 5 minutes realized God did that. I went back to tell her about God’s love and give her the paper how to find His love and as I was talking she had to wipe tears from her eyes.
I have seen this many times, one time I was thinking this is a thankless job and 30 seconds later walking past someone he said say does anyone every thank you for what you do.
Now if I thought God knows what I think I am not likely to make anything up.
Personally I take the bible in context so I would attribute more weight to what Jesus says than to Paul, because Jesus is God. I also feel you missed the point about the speck and the plank – you completely avoided this – Jesus’ uses this to show that your sins are greater (large plank) than your brothers speck (small speck). You should concentrate on putting yourself right with God (sorting out your huge plank) first and that never ends – so you should never have time to judge others’ ( and their small speck). Life is really too short and I should know ( I am terminally ill) but alive or not is irrelevant to God as he is by my side always. Concentrate on walking with God, turn your face to look at God, not others, as God is all that matters!! Not that I am judging!! God Bless. xx
Good evening Jacquelyn,
Since all scripture given by inspiration of God, what the apostles wrote by the inspiration of God is equally important, as we know Jesus is God, it is all equally important.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
But the Old Testament is Jewish, and God sent Jesus to show that people had lost their way – so again I would attribute more weight to Jesus’ personal teaching than to the Old Testament. The Jews were clearly expecting a warrior King to take them out of slavery! They were not expecting a child born in lowly circumstances who says that if a Roman asks you to carry a bag for a mile, you should carry it two! The reason they were not expecting him is because the scriptures do not say this and hence some are still waiting their messiah – hence Jewdaism continues.
You are avoiding the plank and speck part of my argument that was the more important part of what I wanted to say!
“God sent Jesus to show that people had lost their way.” No, God sent His son to deliver us from death, both Jew and gentile.Gid was renconciling the world to Himself through His Son Jesus. The Old Testament pointed to Jesus.
“so again I would attribute more weight to Jesus’ personal teaching than to the Old Testament.” Is Jesus also God? The Old testament tells us His story from the begining, the New testament tells us His story when He will make a new heaven and a new Earth, they’re both equally important.
“The reason they were not expecting him is because the scriptures do not say this and hence some are still waiting their messiah”
Of the best-known prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures concerning the death of Messiah, Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 certainly stand out. Psalm 22 is especially amazing since it predicted numerous separate elements about Jesus’ crucifixion a thousand years before Jesus was crucified. Here are some examples. Messiah will have His hands and His feet “pierced” through (Psalm 22:16; John 20:25). The Messiah’s bones will not be broken (a person’s legs were usually broken after being crucified to speed up their death) (Psalm 22:17; John 19:33). Men will cast lots for Messiah’s clothing (Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35).
Isaiah 53, the classic messianic prophecy known as the “Suffering Servant” prophecy, also details the death of Messiah for the sins of His people. More than 700 years before Jesus was even born, Isaiah provides details of His life and death. The Messiah will be rejected (Isaiah 53:3; Luke 13:34). The Messiah will be killed as a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of His people (Isaiah 53:5–9; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The Messiah will be silent in front of His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23). The Messiah will be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57–60). The Messiah will be with criminals in His death (Isaiah 53:12; Mark 15:27).
In addition to the death of the Jewish Messiah, His resurrection from the dead is also foretold. The clearest and best known of the resurrection prophecies is the one penned by Israel’s King David in Psalm 16:10, also written a millennium before the birth of Jesus: “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.”
Romans 11:24-26 …….As for the Jews today:
All Israel Shall Be Saved (not all that call themselves Israel are Israel)
24For if you were cut from a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into one that is cultivated, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! 25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob.…
As for your plank argument, how are you trying to implement it? Christians are commanded to judge within the body, judgement is never to be done in pride, it’s to be done by more than one party when confronting a wayward brother, it is to be used to discern and refute error, to confront those that call themselves teachers but are not.
So why do many Jews not claim Jesus as their Messiah? You must see that Jesus deliberately did things in a way to show the Jews he was never going to be the Messiah that they were looking for. Born in a stable/ riding into Jerusalem on a donkey not a stallion. Deliberately choosing the lowliest way.
My plank argument is that Christians are not called to judge, each of us has our personal walk with God. If you believe in an all powerful God, then God can change people – God can mould you into who he wants to be in order to do what he wants you to do. We are all different and have different roles (parts of the body). An all powerful omnipotent God does not need you as an individual or a church to judge anyone.
Jacquelyn
Everyone who denies Jesus as Messiah (Christ) does so from disbelief on their part not because Jesus deliberately chose ways to show He was not the Messiah prophesied in the OT.
Israel’s failure to recognize Jesus as Messiah was not from lack of OT evidence pointing to Him as Messiah. What they couldn’t understand is that the sin issue needed to be taken care of on the cross because they thought that the Law was given to take care of the sin problem. And then they wrote extra –scriptural books perverting the Law as given to Moses. Most simply did not take scripture to say what it says and relied on tradition and the oral Torah. That’s why Jesus so often said “you have heard it said…but I say to you”. Jesus taught from the OT scriptures.
After His resurrection Jesus meets two disciples on the road to Emmaus and after quizzing them (Lk 24:19) about what had taken place He rebuked them (Lk 24:25) and then expounded from all the OT things concerning Himself (Lk 24:26-27). Israel should have expected Him exactly as He came, a lowly birth (Micah 5:2) riding into Jerusalem on a donkey(Zech 9:9) and exactly when He came(Lk 19:41-44) .
Most of Israel believed that just being in a national covenant relationship with God was enough to enter the Kingdom therefore they overlooked or could not otherwise piece together the suffering Servant with the conquering King. Jesus is coming back as the conquering King; He will save Israel and reign from David’s throne in Jerusalem, but not until Israel repents of their national sins and believes Jesus to be the Messiah (Lev 26:40-42, Jer 3:11-18, Zech 12:10 Hos 5:15, Matt 23:37-39).
You miss the point of his message Jesus will never be a warrior King – the Jews had and still have the idea of success being power. This is not God’s way. It is the lowest, the humblest, the simple least successful (in a worldly way) that will be successful in terms of living a happy peaceful life, a Life walked with God by your side.
Of course Jesus taught from the OT he was a Jew, and it is not inevitable that Jews will be saved. Jesus said that he was the only way.
And you ignored the point about the plank!
“So why do many Jews not claim Jesus as their Messiah? You must see that Jesus deliberately did things in a way to show the Jews he was never going to be the Messiah that they were looking for. Born in a stable/ riding into Jerusalem on a donkey not a stallion. Deliberately choosing the lowliest way”
Romans 11:25-26 “A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “”The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob.””
Israel is hardened, untill the bride is complete, ALL of Israel will be saved, they have a day if reckoning called Jacob’s Trouble that’s coming their way.
“Christians are not called to judge,”
Paul would not agree with you. He commended the Bereans for being what? Judgemental, they judged all he said against the words of God. He even commands us to judge ourselves to make sure we are in the faith.
There’s never been a question as to what God can or cannot do, Paul concented to murder, Matthew was a tax collector, who was paid by excessive ursury, Peter was judged publicly by Paul when he acted like a hypocrite with we are all lumps of clay before Him, but He Has revealed Himself in His word, we are to Honor the way He chose,
Jacquelyn
Yes I ignore your judgmental remark about others having planks in their eyes. The only way you can say that is to make a judgment.
It is ironic that you criticize Israel for missing the lowly Servant while yourself denying the conquering King. Both are in scripture and both are Jesus Christ. Some advice—put down the fiction and read the truth found in God’s word. Find the true Jesus. I have judged that you are preaching a false one.
i will pray that the Lord will show both of us, after all as Jesus says, it is not our place to know everything.
God Bless. xx
And you probably right that would disagree with Paul – as I do over some things! Like that it is best not to marry!! God gave me my husband and he is the best companion to travel this life with as we both hold our hands with our Lord!! xx
If you are referring to 1 Cor 7 Paul is simply saying that it is good for some not to marry and the context is about avoiding fornication through monogamy or celibacy. Paul was not commanding (1 Cor 7:6) against the institution of marriage.
Jesus teaches the same thing in Matthew 19:10-12 His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
Hmmm “eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake”: Sounds like there is benefit for some to remain single. At least Jesus thinks so.
This is what we are told to do, not by the modern american church and it’s “don’t judge” thinking, but by the word of the eternal God:
Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
2 Corinthians 5:11a Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;
Jude 1:…ye should earnestly contend for the faith
These are just a few simple scriptures showing us all that we are to contend for the truth vigorously, as Paul did by “judging” Peter publicly in Galatians 2.Do not substitute what seems right to you for what is right in the eyes of the only God.
You are mistaking evangelism for judgement!
Jacquelyn
Was Jesus mistaking evangelism for judgment in Matt 7? How about Matt 7:6? If Jesus prohibited all judgment then how do we spot a dog or a pig to heed Jesus’ words? Is Jesus saying don’t evangelize dogs and pigs? Seems judgment and evangelism are two different things.
How about Matt 7:15-20 where Jesus instructs how to recognize false prophets? Seems Jesus calls for judgment to be exercised.
It’s quite clear you have your own idea about what “judgment” is as made evident by what you judge to be authoritative in God’s word. Luke 18:9-14 is the kind of judgment Jesus rejects. Exhorting you to heed His word (all of it) is not being judgmental.
False prophets are people teaching false things not judging who they are!
If the cap fits?!
Contending for the faith, warning false teachers, etc. do not come with qualifiers or limiting language. As i mentioned, Galatians 2 is the perfect example, where Paul challenges Peter publicly for living a manner that hurt the message of salvation by grace through faith. He wasn’t evangelizing. He was publicly correcting false teaching because neither my reputation or yours matters…only the truth of the gospel.
As Solomon so powerfully stated in Proverbs: There is a way that seems right to a man…but in the end it leads only to death. May none of us ever put what seems right to us above the truth of the word.
The portrayal of The Holy Trinity in that book is blasphemous. Just because it’s a work of fiction it doesn’t give the author the right to portray the person of God in a dishonest way.
Which bit of his portrayal of God, was blasphemous?
Seriously you can’t see it?
Manny’s post above concerning The Holy Trinity is “RIGHT ON TARGET!” The shack “ABSOULTELY” has a unbiblical portray of The Trinity. There are many excellent reviews and articles concerning The Shack. Many well-known Christian scholars and Bible teachers have voiced their concern.
Jacquelyn,
You state, “Jesus will never be a warrior King.” I beg to differ, read Revelation, He comes back not as a lowly servant but as a King reclaiming His kingdom, His will destroy millions with the sword that comes from His mouth, His words will bring destruction on the antichrist, the false prophet, their armies and the world wide religious system known as Babylon. He comes on a white horse, clearly the description is military. He will have Satan imprisoned for a thousand years. He will usher in His kingdom (not the NAR), He will restore justice, freedom and He will rule the nation’s.
Revelation is not the words of Jesus.
Then you must not believe much of anything in Bible. You take the parts you want and throw away the rest. You have no understanding because you are in unbelief. You hypocritically call yourself a Christ follower but you spurn His apostles and prophets. You do exactly what the Jews did who killed the prophets sent to them by God. You are in unbelief, but you come here with emotion to try to persuade.
Read the Word of God, even Revelation, which is the Word of God. Get a red-letter edition so you can see what the Lord Yeshua Messiah says directly to the apostle John in the Revelation.
Jacquelyn the only conclusion you leave is:
God got it wrong, He allowed others besides Jesus to write down His words.
Jesus got it wrong, because He chose apostles to write down scripture.
Jesus was not being obedient because He didn’t take it upon Himself to write down all of scripture.
The Old Testament is wrong because Jesus didn’t write it.
Do you see the conflict?
Well said, Manny. It is amazing how many claim to know Christ, but He will say, “I never knew you.” May God grant Jacquelyn repentance.
Amen brother, I can’t tell you how saddened this debate has made me, Jacquelyn stated she’s terminally ill, it’s imperative she hears the truth.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.
Jacquelyn says she only gives wright to Jesus’ words. May God open her eyes.
God nor Jesus got it wrong – but man does get it wrong – we do not worship the men that wrote the Bible they are just like you and I, and yes they can misunderstand. After all it was man who decided which books to include and which books to leave out. Now don’t get me wrong they did a good job, to the best of their ability, and leave us books that if read in contact can give us great insight and helpful teachings – but they are not God nor Jesus and therefore must conclude that Jesus’teachings must be paramount in your learning process.
Jacquelyn you are spurning scripture, scripture is so clear, ALL OF IT is God inspired.
Your statements say that “man” got it wrong, so God and Jesus appointed men who were not capable UNDER the guidance of the Holy Spirit to write down what He said. By that logic you shouldn’t pay attention to Jesus’ words either, after all they were written by the same men who got it wrong, so if I’m to follow your logic I can’t accept Jesus’ words because they were written by fallible men and who really knows what Jesus meant. You are questioning the veracity of scripture or God’s word. This philosophy is what’s undermined the authority of scripture, this is why insipid error has filtered in church, the standard by which all is judged has been corrupted in order to appease the vocal apostates, that would rather preach the world than the truth.
I prayed for you today, I hope our God opens your eyes, you seem like a sincere person, but sincerity and kindness is not what gets you to see Christ.
I am glad you see sincerity and kindness in me – because this is not due to me – but it is the Holy Spirit shining through!
Good morning Jacquelyn,
It’s not what I see that counts, I’ve met kind atheists who “act” better than some Christians I know, what counts is a relationship with Jesus Christ of The Bible. Now how can you believe in Christ when fallible men wrote what He said? How do you know what they wrote about Him is true? If you reject the apostles then you reject faith by grace, you reject every tenet of salvation.
This is as far as I walk, I pray the Good Lord opens your eyes to His truth.
I walk with Jesus Christ by my side, and by grace I am saved. That I KNOW is true – it is a living personal faith!
If you had the Holy Spirit you would believe all of scripture is inspired. We are called to test the spirits -“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
Christ told Nicodemus ‘ye must be born again’. This is not something sinners can attain – it is a supernatural work of God. Many will say ‘Lord Lord’ and Christ will respond ‘depart from me, I never knew you’. It isn’t a claim to know Christ that saves sinners.
Which Christ? The impotent one who cannot even ensure that His own book is authored correctly? The one who can be reduced to nothing but emotionalism? The one who didn’t die on the cross to take the penalty for sins (as Wm. P. Young teaches)?
Jacquelyn: ” I will pray that the Lord will show both of us, after all as Jesus says, it is not our place to know everything.”
We do not need to know “everything”, but we must know what scripture says, it is all a Christian needs:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works
[I will pray that the Lord will show both of us, after all as Jesus says, it is not our place to know everything.]
Jacquelyn, the Lord Yeshua told His disciples that they would not know the day of His return or when He would set up His earthly Kingdom. This doesn’t mean that we should shut our minds to what He DOES reveal to His own.
1 Corinthian 2:12-16.
It is sad that you do not have any understanding of His return with power and glory to rule and reign as King. At least one-third of the Bible talks about His return and His Kingdom. But you can have no part in it unless you believe Who He is and this is only revealed in the Bible. The fact that you revel in a book/movie that is anti-Bible and anti-Christ tells me that you are in danger.
Sound biblical responses brethren. It would appear Jacquelyn cherry picks the bible and denies it’s authority. She doesn’t believe the writings of the Apostles are Spirit inspired, thus, she doesn’t believe most of what is written in the N.T. She denies the deity of Christ and shows her carnality in stating Revelation was not written by Christ.
Her carnal views show her dire need for God’s mercy and the new birth. She misuses judging, and shows from her comments her lack of understanding concerning the things of God.
The Holy Spirit is the one who inspired the men who wrote the bible -“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21
Those who refuse to love the truth will be turned over by God to the strong delusion, and they will fall for garbage like the shack. May God have mercy on her.
Good evening Lyn,
All blessings sister. This has been a sad exercise for me, it’s been bewildering and hard to see a soul reject scripture under the premise that “men” get it wrong, specially after she’s been shown over and over, Rascott and Berlorac have done a wonderful job handling the word, I prayed for her today with a heavy heart, perhaps The Lord will open her eyes. Keep fighting the good fight Lyn, we have darker days ahead.
blessings to you brother, yes, the days ahead will indeed be much darker….
An interesting concept for you all to mull over
If you had a person who is mentally incapable of understanding the written word even if spoken to them. For instance a person who lives their lives with the mental capacity of a 5 year old. Their lack of understanding of the bible does not mean that they have less of a faith than you. Or indeed could not show the people around them that Gods love shines through them.
God can work through you no matter about your understanding of the bible
Or are you saying that all those who cannot understand the bible in depth cannot ever see salvation or can never receive the joy of the Holy Spirit.
As I say – I worship a living God – whose Grace gives salvation to All. Not worship of the Bible – a book!
Jacquelyn, How could a person who is mentally incapable of understanding something reject something they don’t understand? Are you mentally incapable of understanding the written word? It doesn’t appear that way to me. So the question is not about your hypothetical situation but concerns the real situation as to why you reject the written word.
I do not reject it – just interpret it differently and as with the mentally incapable person – God would forgive our understanding if we had a living faith with him!
You could therefore argue William P Young can have a living faith – and just interpret the Bible differently from you! xx
No I could not argue that because God’s word is my standard. You are arguing that and I reject it because you have failed to direct me to anywhere in God’s word that supports your argument. You have a floating standard and have no objective ground to anchor your apologia for having “living faith’ but only have your subjective feelings which means what’s true for you may not be true for me and that is not common faith.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
I should not have to direct you anywhere except to Jesus’ enduring love and compassion, that should be the cornerstone of your faith.
People who have never seen the Bible like Moses, like Noah, like Jonah all came to the faith without the written word and so can you and I and many others in places where the Bible has not reached. The incredible thing about our (yours and mine) faith is that God speaks to us, leads us and loves us and lives with us, without being restricted by a book, or the written word – God is so much more than that – and you already know that in your heart anyway – in the heat and fervour and love that burns inside you. There you will find God. He is just so amazing!!
And yes the amazing thing about God is that it is not a ‘common’ faith but more amazing an individualised faith – he knows you by name, calls you by name, knows every hair on your head. God is more than you can ever imagine! xx
Jacquelyn has found the god from seducing spirits, it’s Luciferian gnosticism. Bible is optional.
To whom are you addressing? The difference between Christianity and other religions is that other religions appear to be Man seeking a God. Christianity is God in the form of Christ coming to man. Christ came to me! The Bible is a helpful tool, but not to be worshipped.
“To whom are you addressing?”
Not you Jacquelyn, there’s no reason to address you, you’ve proven you cannot be convinced by the bible or reason so it would be a waste of time. I’m addressing everyone else to warn them of your false teaching, which is Gnosticism.
In all of my conversations with you all, I have not been at all rude.
Was this necessary?
Christ will keep coming to you – keep knocking on your heart until you let him in. He will never stop asking, but you must let him into your heart.
That is why Christianity is not a religion, it just is.
Jacquelyn,
With all due respect, no one here worships the bible, time and again you keep referring to the bible as an object of veneration, without the content of scripture you would have never known Christ, unless youre saying that Jesus manifested Himself to you personally? And that’s why you spurn the bible.
Look up Nicodemos he was a Pharisee and a member of the Samnhedrin and he believed in the the letter of the OT and he prayed regularly and he did what he was supposed to do – as a good Jew – then he met with Jesus and realised a living faith was more amazing and more real.
Yes Jesus speaks to me through prayer, through many things. Not the Bible alone. My early faith came from Sunday School and my parents. But then you have to take the step when you ask him into your life to walk with you. He is REAL – not a flat historic biblical version of him. You sell yourself short, if that is the only faith you have. He is so much more. Just ask him into your heart. Go on, speak to him for real – he will hear you!
I do not believe it is true that without the Bible I would not know Christ. Many people come to Christ without knowing the Bible after all it is only in recent history that the Bible was translated into a common language that the lay person could read.
I am sorry I hope I have not offended anyone, I am not a preacher. Just a follower of Christ who is dying of Cancer happily knowing that I am going home! (Bit like the shack – but I know that might anger some of you (sorry))
If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you can receive encouragement and comfort from reading the Bible. I don’t think anyone is angry with you–I think it is deep concern and compassion for you and your eternal salvation. People here are praying for you.
Amen sister, that’s exactly what it is, people here are concerned for Jacquelyn, eternity is a long time.
Jacquelyn,
I for one am not offended, I am concerned about you. And as for me, I have only spoken to you in truth.
Do not be concerned for me – Jesus walks my path with me everyday and that is more comfort than anything. I KNOW where I am going! But for you guys – I feel you look at the book rather than looking at the face of our Lord. We seek his face, because there you will find all the love and compassion you could desire!!
God Bless you all, and returning to my original point concentrate on your planks before looking at your brother’s specks!! xxxxx
Maggie why do you say if? As if you doubt that I am being carried by Him. I could not walk this path without Him. I do find comfort in scripture, but I do not use scripture to berate how others live their lives – that is between them and God – a personal individual faith – after all Jesus sort out the people others shunned – Zacheus etc. He chose a prostitue to be one of his closest companions. Where is Jesus in your actions of condemnation. Sinful individual I am, not worthy to pick up the crumbs from under his table, He has chosen to walk with me, and he will walk with anyone – all you have to do is ask.
J, I did not say “if” as a condemnation. What I said was in kindness, although I do have a concern that the Jesus you are following may be one suited to your own desires. I, too, am a sinful individual, who has been convicted and repented of sin, saved by faith and the grace by the completed work of Jesus Crucified.
Whether you want him to walk with them or not – that is what angered the Jews and got him killed – because he would not condemn the actions of others.
Actually what got Him crucified was He told the high priest He is the Son of God, at that moment the high priest tore his robe and yelled “what further proof do we need?” Jesus walked with sinners and He shunned sin, He also became angry with the money changers at the temple, made a whip of chords and chased them out.
He did turn over the tables of the money changers – those people who abused the sacred space. Did he shun Mary Magdalene? did he go to tea with Zaccheus and spent the whole time telling him how awful he was? I doubt it. And the woman at the Well a gentile, a woman who had several husbands and he offered her water – he did not shun her?
I said he walked with sinners, but he shunned sin. He would say to them “go sin no more.”
The Jewish leaders had been trying to get rid of him for some time. He had already been arrested by then because he was causing such a stir with his radical ideas. Because he did not look to socialise with the Pharisee’s and climb the expected social ladder to salvation – he chose to socialise with sinners and said said to them belongs the kingdom of God – That angered the leaders who needed people to follow the Pharisee’s and put money into the synagogues. The teachings of Jesus was so radical, As a Jew you spend time learning the scriptures growing into salvation. Where as Jesus offered Salvation by Grace – no work needed!
Mary Magdalene, Zaccheus, The woman at the Well, And many more, all of these the Pharisee’s and Sanhedrin – the leaders of the Synagogue – Could not believe he would spend time with such unlearned people, people who did not understand all the written teachings of the Jews. – my point exactly all these people found faith without the written word. It seems ironic that a body of people would chose to ignore this. Are we not trying to be as Christ like as possible – I know Jesus, he would not have spent hours telling Mary Magdalene that if she had read the scriptures she would know not to prostitute herself and deserves to have been stoned!!
These people did not find faith, faith like salvation, is a gift from God. Also, you’re speaking of a time when God walked with men, He was revealed in His Son Jesus. Jesus didn’t do miracles in some places because the people were hard hearted.
But again, if you don’t believe scripture, how do you know all these things are true?
How do you know these people did not find faith – how would you know that? Unless you are God. This is what I mean. This judgement of these people is not found in scripture.
Maybe Jesus told him. Again you stand on scripture to prove scripture is not authoritative.
Yes, Manny, it was an extraordinary time when He walked among the Israelites for 3 years. He manifested the Father. And those who had faith to see Him for Who He was could do so only because this truth was revealed to them by the Father (Matthew 16:17).
But now He is not physically walking among men, but He has sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. The Holy Spirit, sent from the Father, reveals Christ to men. Salvation by grace through faith is a gift. And we learn all this in His written Word.
Amen B, amen brother!
You seem to be under the misconception that people in this conversation are saying that you are “an awful person”. That’s not the case. What is really taking place is the questioning of what you consider to be the word of God i.e. that he reveals Himself to you (us) other than through His word. It’s amazing how one has to stand on the written word to try to prove that the written word is not needed or authoritative.
Those you mention did not find faith without the written word (Matthew 7:28-29). Without the written word Jesus’ claims of being the Messiah could rightly be rejected. But He came as prophesied in the written word; He lived as prophesied in the written word, His signs were prophesied in the written word. Mary Magdalene, Zaccheus, the woman at the well knew of Messiah from the written word: Objective truth and not subjective feelings.
I pray for both your spiritual health as well as physical comfort in your illness.
I do not think that people think ‘I am awful’ I do think the people in this conversation doubt that I am saved and question my relationship with my Lord. I question their/your right to make that judgement of me or others, whether you base that judgement on scripture or not is irrelevant to me. It is the judgement I question. If you would rather I not enter this discussion because I chose not to quote scripture (even if I know it well), my choice not to quote scripture is similar to Jesus’ choice not to advise his follows to attend a synagogue. Which he could well have done. I believe God is bigger than just what we read in the Bible or what we find in Church – He just is. I will not apologise for causing people to question their faith – we should always question, be childlike open to Him showing us new revelations. Otherwise how do we grow? God is not only found in scripture – is this a better way of saying it?
The four main thrusts of all you have said.
1. Others have planks in their eye for questioning your take on scripture. That is a judgment you are making while asking not to be judged.
2. The Bible may be good maybe not it depends on if one has the same subject interpretation as yours.
3. Calling in to question your take on revelation (not the book of Revelation) is tantamount to judging you to hell. This is not true on my part
4. Your arguments have caused some here to question their faith. This is not true in my case.
If that is your message you have said it well if not convincingly. If that is not your message then I could not tell you a better way of saying it because I don’t know what your message is.
1 I also have a plank which is why I have not ever said that you do not have a faith
2 The Bible should be taken in context – who wrote what – what was their back ground and who were they writing it for (just as you would for an historical document) (now before you take me out of context the Bible is extraordinary Book)
3 no but I don’t think judging is helpful to anyone – you or the judged
4 Did I not read that I was a ‘false witness’ for my lord?
I do not think it is helpful to judge in this context and was stating my argument against the article on judging others – maybe I have not been as clear as I could have been!
One problem with your argument is that you are using judgment to make a judgment while denying that you are judging. You stand on scripture (only an extraordinary Book) when it says something to suit you but ignore scripture when it does not suit your argument. This too is a judgment. If you know you have a plank why was it not removed before you casted judgment on those who cast judgment?
The point of the article and replies to you are that some judgment is beneficial in our walk with the Lord. And I agree with the article.
What you are saying is false. That’s a judgment I have made. If you are justified before God is not a judgment I will make.
But no one is willing to challenge the plank and the speck – my original argument! I give one argument – and a lot of biblical scripture as well as a few insults are hurled back, but none that has yet convinced me that Jesus’ teaching of the plank and speck should be ignored so that we may judge others!!!
Please as I tell my children if you want to argue with me at least get better at it!!!
What ‘Jesus’ do you claim to follow? You seem to have little reverence for God’s holy word. With that said, how can you know the God of the bible if you reject much of what is written?
This is NOT about arguing, to be misled by false teachings is very serious.
In John 3:3 Christ told Nicodemus, a very religious man of his day, ‘ye must be born again’. Do you understand this?
I love Mary Magdalene, I feel that I am like her – sinful yet loving. I think I too would be in love with Jesus had I been alive in those times. He was enigmatic charismatic, yet warm gentle loving. A beautiful beautiful man, I am in love with him. And he loves me as a parent loves their child. He is not angry and judgemental – he sighs and smiles when I make a mistake knowing that I made that error not because I have malicious intent but because compared to him, I am naive and lack understanding. Jesus is God incarnate – He is the manifestation of God on Earth – so for us and our limited understanding, he is as close to looking into the eyes of God as we can get. He is love.
“I have not ever said that you do not have a faith”. You implied that some here worship the Bible. Is that not the same as claiming we do not worship Jesus? Have faith?
I cant see anyone questioning their faith on the premise set forth. The canon is closed there are no new revelations, we have His story from creation to the end. You appeal to extra biblical revelation…… God, not man, chose to reveal Himself to His creation as stated in scripture. We grow by studying scripture, getting to know Him better through prayer and walking in the Spirit. Scripture says we are pruned like a tree, as pruning promotes growth.
I just disagree with the article – and it glosses over the plank and the speck as you all have done. Why do you think Jesus chose the works (a large) plank and (a small) speck?????
To me it sounds like Jesus – in his words not some spurious quote taken out of context, is telling us that it is Gods job to judge not ours!
I did address it March 6, 2017 at 2:28 pm.
I will expound more. Concerning Matt 7 whatever Jesus is teaching in verses 1-5 we presume that Jesus was intelligent enough not to be contradictory within a few verses because in verse 6 He tells us not to cast “that which is holy unto dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine.” If you cannot judge and are prohibited from judging, how can you spot a dog or a pig when you see one? Very obviously verse 1 can’t call for reservation of all judgment in all situations, for if it did it would spell a contradiction with verse 6 that would immediately follow. Also Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, that come to you in sheep’s clothing,” how do you tell a false prophet if you cannot judge. So it’s quite clear that in the context Jesus must be teaching something about judgment, but not withholding all judgment. 2 John 10, the apostle of love has some very strong words. “If there come unto any of you and bring not this doctrine, don’t receive him into your house.” Now isn’t that judging? Obviously it is.
Luke 18:9-14 this is the kind of judgment Jesus is angry at, the Pharisaical. human viewpoint judgment; using righteousness selectively legalistic judgment. Also, because of Romans 8:33-34 we are not do not judge a believers standing before God because it’s not our place to do so.
We are to judge the content of what is being taught and not the person’s standing before the throne of God.
You ignore the first sentence in Matthew 7 – Do Not judge others
Do you not think the what Jesus says in verse 6 is to do with not letting yourself be judged by others. You are beautiful in the eyes of God – you are the pearl – so do not let others trample on you.
Following Do not judge others – that would make more sense to me
Words not works
Don’t want anyone questioning my faith – just wanted my question answered that you all seem to have failed to do. Please no patronising just why did the article and everyone gloss over what seems glaringly obvious to me – feel like I should take up Donald Trumps mantle and write this in capital letters!!!!!
As for judging, if believers were not to judge those inside the ‘church, then this would never have been written, “12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” 1 Cor. 5
We are to judge rightly, so your argument fails miserably. That is the new age mindset, ‘do not judge’, but it goes against the bible.
The new age mindset also has a lopsided ‘god’, one who is only love and never controversial. Anything is embraced as long as it is not too offensive. The problem is the Bible teaches opposite of the new age movement.
We are to examine ourselves and test the spirits {1 John}. Many claim Christ, but that isn’t going to save you.
‘Ye must be born again’ – that is the supernatural work of God the Spirit as He opens the understanding of the sinner’s mind and reveals their vileness to them and their need to be saved. This inward work is unknown to many, or it is passed off as a ‘work’. Sinners are saved by God’s grace, not by verbal professions. The demons believe, and shudder.
Corinthians is written by Paul to a specific church that was dealing with specific issues.
So, according to you, we cannot adhere to Paul’s writings because they don’t apply to this modern day? That is cherry picking and that is not how we are to read God’s word. The judging Paul spoke of is just as relevant in our day as it was in his. Wherever there is sin in the church, there must be right judgment implemented.
Your ‘god’ is all love, so tell me, what do you do with the God of the Bible that struck Ananias and Sapphira dead in their tracks for lying? What do you do with the God that detests all sin and states He will judge unrepentant sinners? Do you know this God? The God of the bible is thrice holy, yet you define Him as all lovey dovey. This is the ‘god’ most Americans worship, but it is not the God of the Bible.
Jacquelyn, I am concerned that you appear to have a love for “Jesus,” but then you deny His authority, His omnipotence, and His truth. By questioning the veracity of Scripture, you question the veracity of Christ Himself. He chose the writers, He worked through them to write what they wrote, and He has preserved His written Word to this day. It is true that He has, in times past, revealed Himself to men in different ways, but He is now revealing Himself through His written Word by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You appear to have a love for “Jesus,” but then you defend a blasphemous book/movie, one that directly contradicts the Bible. The teaching of this book/movie is that God will not punish sin, but this impugns the character of God, specifically as the Just Judge. This book/movie also teaches universalism, which is not in the least what the Bible teaches.
I do not deny Gods power or authority in fact totally the opposite – I believe his power and authority goes far beyond any book. God is not limited in any way
Jacquelyn says she’s “not a preacher” and she has cancer, blah blah blah.
She is preaching cancer to your soul.
Q – before I have written anything I have asked myself – is what I have to say going to helpful – is it full of love – is it God led – (as we all try to live Our loves likeJesus) I ask myself – is this the kind of thing Jesus would say? Do you think your comment is The kind of thing Jesus would say?
Jesus was and would be very severe in his criticism of false teaching a false gospel, preaching a false jesus, and undermining the word of God.
You publicly preach false teaching and you are being publicly rebuked.
I will also point out your tactic, it’s the same used by liberals in other areas as well as when it comes to biblical truth.
First you try to convince people about your false jesus, then you play on peoples sympathies with the cancer card, now you are throwing out the not said in love card.
Warning others and you of your false teaching is loving, hopefully you will take heed.
It seems to me like if you had a logical argument you would use it – but because you do not you resort to insults. I do not throw out the cancer card. I thought long and hard about whether to tell you or not. I am not looking for sympathy (actually I hate sympathy – one thing God is teaching me that I have to live with). Nothing I say or would even want to say would convince you that I really have cancer. But actually like Jesus he has shown me a good way to teach you. God will judge justly because he knows I have cancer and he will judge me accordingly: you on the other hand like all of us humans are not in command of the whole truth. Which is why if you chose to judge you will judge falsely. However if as Jesus asks you leave the judgement to God he will judge fairly.
Nothing you can say will make my situation better or worse your insults are pointless.
I found this article very difficult to read, because it seemed so unlike the beautiful gentle Jesus who is my God. I hope that you all understand why I felt this way – and felt led to write demonstrating that God is so full of love and understanding. His judgement is made with the eyes that has seen everything that has happened in your lives and is made without malice. We could never hope to judge our fellow Christians honestly because we do not have that insight.
Loving is all we can do – because we ourselves are not worthy.
Hope a little bit of what I have said resonates with some of you.
Gob Bless.
xxxxxxxxxx
You need to read the entire chapter of Matthew 7. Pointing out what is false is not judging, as you claim. By stating so you are in fact passing judgment!
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
How can a true believer in Christ discern what is false unless the ‘fruit’ is examined and scrutinized? This is the type of judging we are called to do, as well as judging those in sin within the church.
You have just enough ‘knowledge’ to dangerous, and you are. You have created a ‘god’ that is all love, that never judges and just wants peace and harmony – regardless of the situation. You forget what Christ said in Matthew 10 -34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
The true, pristine gospel is offensive to the carnal/natural man. The command to repent and believe is highly offensive to proud, arrogant mankind. God must do a work by opening the understanding so the sinner can be saved. This is not accomplished through man’s free will, rather, it is all a work of the triune God. May He open your understanding Jacquelyn and reveal your true state before a thrice holy God — vile and wicked!
Jacquelyn
You did not answer the question, what did Jesus mean when He said ‘ye must be born again’?
You say you are ‘in love’ with Jesus, this type of terminology is perverted and worldly. What did Christ say?
‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments’. Love is NOT an emotion, it is an action. Your views are new age and not supported by scripture at all.
But this is my point we all do not have enough knowledge to judge honestly. And I have never said God does not judge. But we as humans never have enough knowledge and therefore as Jesus says those without sin should cast the first stone. It is only God with all the facts that can judge us righteously.
My views are not new age! I can assure you my views are born from years (my whole life) studying and learning.
The question I keep asking is why did God lead me to your website – I believe I have a purpose in being here. God knows I won’t be dissuaded by bible references taken out of concept or by insults or being rebuked.
I would be persuaded by clear logical argument using the words and actions of Jesus. Do you truly believe that if Jesus were here today – he would be judging people. Going back to the bible and looking at his life. That is not what he did 2000 years ago, but you think he would have changed?
Thank for saying my teaching is dangerous, because Jesus’ teachings were dangerous, they undermined the whole of the Jewish culture and how the synagogues worked and that is why he was killed – the same reason you would like to ridicule and get rid of me! Jesus message is very challenging I would agree!
Context not concept
Good morning Jacquelyn,
“Do you truly believe that if Jesus were here today – he would be judging people. Going back to the bible and looking at his life. That is not what he did 2000 years ago”
Remember, He fashioned a whip from cord and threw out money changers, that was a physical judgement.
If The Lord was with us physically today, He would be having a field day, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen,TBN, the money preachers, Rob Bell, Furtick, and every stripe of heretic would be judged on the spot. You seem to be fixated on Jewish culture and judging, but since you don’t give need to all scripture, your premise fails.
You are right Jesus is God so he can Judge justly. We cannot.
I am not fixated on Jewish culture. But to understand Jesus, you have to understand Jewdaism, as this is the context into which the Bible is written! You cannot understand the Bible unless you understand the Jewish culture. Some of the Gospels are written for. Jewish audience, others are written for the Gentiles, once you understand that you can understand some of the differences in the gospels.
Again, scripture commands, not suggests, we judge. The Bereans judged Paul, and he commended them for it and he exhorts us to be like the them.
Jesus says in one sentence at the beginning of Matthew 7
Do Not Judge
I am not sure why you chose to ignore Jesus, who is God
And give more credence to Paul who is NOT God!
I leave you with this question: do you believe the book of Revelation?
Believe in what way? Revelation is written in a very pictorial language, and is supposed to be dreams sent by God. These dreams are ripe to be interpreted in many different ways and I think we need to be careful how we interpret it. It’s meaning is not as easy or straight forward. Anyone who claims to totally understand Revelation is lying. I believe it was written in the genuine belief that it was a message from God. I also believe that Paul included it in the Bible to help us to understand that God can teach us through our dreams.
I believe it is incredibly difficult to interpret and any trite and simple explanation is over simplifying.
“I believe it was written in the genuine belief that it was a message from God.”
That’s all you needed to say. You believe.
Thought this might be helpful.
I used to be a teacher – and treating youngsters fairly is not always treating them equally.
For instance I would be more strict on a child who did not hand in homework and yet lived in a middle class home where paper and pens and a table were easily accessible. On the other hand I would be less severe on the child who did not hand in homework and he comes from a home where finding a pen was difficult and there was no table at all.
So to be treated fairly is not always to be treated equally.
God knows what is in the rest of our lives and so can judge and be fair. But we must accept that we cannot.
I have read other parts of this website. I find the whole site full of hate and anger. How do you all live like this? Do you think this is how God wants you to live? Are you happy people? Do you lead a joyful life? I met a vicar while walking my dog a few days ago and I knew they were being given a hard time by some of their parishioners. I asked how they were coping and they said to me, that each day they look for God’s joy. After all God loves you so much, do you not think he would want you to be joyful. A message of hatred can be very draining. That is why Jesus promotes forgiveness, if you can forgive people like William P Young, for writing what he did. Or forgiving homosexuals for leading the lives they lead. Forgive Roman Catholics, forgive people who Sin. If you can forgive then you can let go of all the hatred, and feel some of that Joy and happiness that God intended would fill our lives.
This morning on my way to the hospital, I listened to a program about ACE schools or PACE system of teaching – where the children were in little booths all alone and that caning the children was common place. I cried. Jesus said let the children come to me. They took children with all their child like qualities – excitement and joy that would cause them to bounce on sofa’s and made them work in isolation. Jesus said we should be like them – when was the last time you bounced on the sofa with Joy?
Woo slow down! Did you remove that plank we discussed before you came here to judge our hate and anger? We can’t all live life as great as you I guess; be thankful to God that He has shown you the truth because apparently it’s not written on the pages of scripture or you would point us to it. I will paste your instructions into a word document and call it the “Epistle of Saint Jacquelyn”. I have reason no more to cling to the written word of God (or what I thought was). I see that now. Heaven sent you are. I will try to dream up some lovey-dovey stuff to counter all the bad stuff Peter, Paul, John, and the rest wrote. By the way did you know that Matthew wrote Matthew and John wrote John? How do you suppose they got Jesus’ words right and everything else wrong? From dreams perhaps?
Why do you not like love?
Oh dear! Another judgment. Plank gone?
This was a question not a judgement – if the piece of writing was called 5 ways in which Christians should question – I would have not felt so saddened by it
Baloney. Your “question” is akin to this one—why are you so stupid? See a judgment has been made and judgment is denied by semantics to make the questioner feel superior to the one being “questioned”.
Why are you so aggressive? And I am in no way superior. I am dying so why would I feel superior?
Aggressive? So another question and not a judgment? You have made a determination of what aggression is to think you are seeing it in me. You have posted more comments then I on this thread so who’s more aggressive?
John 11:24-27 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
If you have never believed in the Christ of scripture, the Lamb of God, the suffering servant, the returning King, the way the truth the life, I pray you turn to scripture to find what He has revealed about Himself through the Apostles and prophets. Sounds like your time is short.
Why do you ask me to turn to scriptures, if you believe that I am not a believer, why would you not encourage me to turn to Christ? This was my point about the worship of a book rather than a Christ our Lord.
And just before you accuse me of judging, it really is a question, I am curious as to how you think.
Isn’t it intriguing that you and I can read the same scriptures and yet lead our lives so differently
I also was listening to someone yesterday promoting meritocracy in other words they were promoting that we should be rewarded for living good lives. Unfortunately as a Christian we do not agree that the the world is a meritocracy. Unfortunately and as hard as it sounds. Jesus’ death on the cross paid for all sins past and present. Therefore it does not matter how hard we work for Christ, how much we hate those who we consider live ‘bad’ lives. As long as you ask God into your heart – you WILL be saved. So it does not matter how many people are turned away from the message by The Shack, as long as William PYoung accepts Jesus – and only he knows this – he will be saved. Just like the prodigal son – I am sure the other brother had a right to complain that this was not fair and that his father should just send him away saying he got treated justly. Instead his father threw him a lavish party. So no matter how much you hate others – as long as they ask Jesus into their hearts they will be saved. No matter how much you wish I would be cast out for my liberal ideas – because I believe in Jesus -( and God asks no more than that) I will be saved. It does not matter how much you hate – God Loves me – I will be judged by God. God is love – even if I ran off with my inheritance – squandered it in a debauched fashion. On my return he would hold a big party and welcome me home. There can be no HATE in God. Nowhere! Hate jealousy envy annoyance all come from non Godly ways.
Are you trying to be like Paul or like Jesus?
1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
But do you not think Paul and Jesus are very different in character after all as much as we strive no one can ever really be like Jesus because he was God
The other thing I thought about scripture – we sing hymns that are not scriptural and hymns can bring people to faith. I know someone who only comes to church when the great Wesleyan hymn ‘And can it be’ is sung. The organist lets him know when the hymn has been chosen by whoever is preaching, and then he comes to church! So it would be difficult to claim that other writings cannot bring people to faith. I love CS Lewis and his portrayal of God as the lion Aslan in the Lion the witch and the wardrobe stories, I think these stories help many children understand the Christian faith. I also love his Screwtape letters – letters from a senior devil to a junior devil is great and can show how we are truly tempted. Have you read CS Lewis’ the four loves – that is a great book too. There are so many ways to come to faith.
There’s only one way to come to faith, it is a gift from God. You’re set in your ways, there’s no showing you from scripture how much in error you are, but many have tried. Oh well, if you’re comfortable in your error then, so be it.
You misunderstand I believe I have been asked by God to write to you in the hope that you may turn away from your hateful ways and experience the Joy of living with Christ. You do not need to live like this – set yourselves free from the oppression of speaking hateful things and find something nice to say.
As a teacher it is always nicer to concentrate on the positives – praise rather than chastise!
Praising always makes people work harder to be better. So try praising people’s good qualities rather than concentrating on the negative and berating the. For being ‘bad’ – nobody is all bad
Find something nice to say – it will make you feel better.
To you Manny I can say you are very honest and passionate person – these are good things – attributes God Loves!
God loves you all – he wants you to be happy and feel joy. Walk outside feel the sun on your face and know that you are beautiful!
Much love. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Paul wasn’t “nice” (at least by today’s weak standards) many times, but he always upheld the truth!
Are you trying to be like Paul or Jesus?
Sorry keep replying to the wrong bit so my replies end up somewhere else.
But do you not think Paul and Jesus are very different? After all no matter how hard Paul tries he can never be like Jesus because Jesus is God.
Like all of us – Paul tries but like us he is a man – and therefore can never be Jesus
First, notice that I did not say that all judgment you are exercising is bad. Some judgment is necessary to seeing truth and falsehood. This is the crux of the situation. I find truth in scripture, I did not find Christ apart from scripture and nobody can prove objectively that they have found Christ apart from scripture. The Christ you are proclaiming is one dimensional and intangible and many things you are saying about Him are refuted in scripture. You call that worshiping the Bible but that is misjudgment. We are worshiping Him Who scripture is about.
I ask why are you reluctant to search the scriptures to see if the things you believe are true? That is a judgment I am making from the content of what you have objectively communicated to me through what you have written. You are reluctant to find Christ in scripture. Notice I did not ask why are you sinful or why are you so hateful or stupid. But you have little knowledge of scripture and claim Jesus will never be conquering King, Jesus purposely demonstrated not to be the Messiah the Jews expected, Paul included Revelation to the Bible (John wrote it) all demonstratively wrong through scripture.
Jesus is undiminished Deity and true humanity in one forever. In His humanity He manifested eternal life and He was the “test pilot” for the Christian life. He was crucified to satisfy the righteous judgment of God on our behalf and He rose again to be the first fruits and all who believe in that Christ have eternal life. Paul is not Deity but He was a servant of Christ as steward of the mysteries of God (things not revealed in the OT). Rejecting the teaching of Paul is rejecting the teaching of Christ because Paul proclaimed the Christ, Son of God, because Paul was chosen to do so.
Again the Jesus you are proclaiming is not the Christ of scripture. Your time, our time is short. Sit down and read the Gospel of John. That is the Christ proclaimed throughout scripture. If you see a contradiction to what Paul has written then you have misjudged.
What happened to God setting us Free? Because these troubles are for God to worry about. He takes all that worry from us. So that we can live with joy!
You say that judgment is necessary to see truth from falsehood – that surely is discernment not judgement.
I have read my Bible and you are aware of that. I am not reluctant to search the scripture, and indeed I do.
Having read scripture, I do not judge others because it is not my place to do so.
As with children, as a parent it is your place to guide and steer them, however as a sibling it is not your place to parent, but to love them regardless of how they behave.
Do not judge is scriptural – it is this piece of writing and it is you who refute scripture.
I could take one word from each book in the Bible produce a sentence and say scripture says …….
I cannot believe that it is such an irrefutable sentence – Do not judge. Clarified by the reason why – that your own sins are probably more than the person you are judging – not least because you are judging them!!
Jesus was not a test pilot – he was God
Why do you chose to ignore the gentleness, meekness, of Jesus the irrefutable evidence that he forgave Mary Magdalene, Zaccheus, and too many to list.
Why do you teach a message of hate, when Jesus showed the antithesis he was full of tolerance for people and their failings. He was angered by politics (the money changers) but not by people
How can you read scripture and miss all this. The Jesus I worship is the Jesus shown in the Bible. Why do you not behave like him?
Why would I not see a contradiction in what a man has written and what is demonstrated by God – I understand human failings – and I understand the purity of who Jesus was. It does not matter how much Paul wanted to imitate Jesus – unless he was God – he couldn’t.
It seems appropriate to re-iterate ‘Q’s comment…
Q March 9, 2017 at 3:04 pm #
Jesus was and would be very severe in his criticism of false teaching a false gospel, preaching a false jesus, and undermining the word of God.
You publicly preach false teaching and you are being publicly rebuked.
I will also point out your tactic, it’s the same used by liberals in other areas as well as when it comes to biblical truth.
First you try to convince people about your false jesus, then you play on peoples sympathies with the cancer card, now you are throwing out the not said in love card.
Warning others and you of your false teaching is loving, hopefully you will take heed.
For those who wish to follow my journey through cancer and my faith I tweet under @longhousepilton, I am also Jacqltaylor on Facebook, there I tend to announce any medical stuff, just so I do not have to tell people individually.
In some ways you are right, At first I had no way of understanding how you could come to your conclusions having spent 45 years studying scripture, I have no way of understanding how Jesus’ teachings could be so twisted. Then when there was no reasonable arguments on your part I hoped that explaining the love of Jesus may be enough for you to stop spewing this hatred in His beautiful name. It seems so dark and so sad. When Christianity is so full of light and joy. I have led a very blessed life as you will see from my Facebook page I have a wonderful husband and three beautiful children. I am very blessed.
I used to run a bed and breakfast and spent time with people from all walks of life. I am very close friends with a retired preacher from God TV. A station I cannot watch without ending in tears as they too often mould their teaching to fit their end.
I can promise you I had no agenda except to spread love and kindness before I head home. I know my life will deteriorate and I am in the process of moving as my home is on three floors and will eventually become impossible for me to live here as I will become more disabled.
I hope if I have offended you. You will forgive me. I could not live like you – could not spend day in day out saying the things you say and judging people. I suppose I read your website and start to feel ashamed that you call yourselves Christians – you are people who are as far from Christlike I have ever met – I know new age witches who live closer to a Christian life.
I feel I have failed you, failed to convince you of the love and light in Christs message. Failed to understand you. I have failed and for that I am truly sorry.
Forgive me – there are some good people who have a similar message to mine – who are full of God’s love and you insult them the way you have insulted me.
My Jesus, my God, my gentle beautiful full of light God, could be yours too. Someone said on here that we can’t all live that lovey dovey existence like me. Yes I have been blessed and you too could be blessed.
I cannot carry hatred and anger anymore and you don’t have to either.
My teachings are those in scripture. I don’t know what has happened to you all to make you so suspicious and judgemental that you do not even believe I have cancer?! I would have to be pretty screwed up to lie about that
Look me up – stay in touch – watch my progress through the chemotherapies. I have felt some warmth from some of you during this correspondence – I have nothing to hide. There is nothing to fear – death lost its sting when Jesus died upon that cross.
God Bless
What is wrong with my photo?
When this was taken my hair had just grown back after chemotherapy. You will see it is now a lot longer and I think I look better!
Seriously? You support gay pride. That’s biblical? You support what the Bible calls an abomination!
I will not judge – all I will do is love
There’s such a thing as arguing for the sake of arguing, so as to ‘win’, and there’s debating so as to learn. It would appear Jacquelyn has no desire to learn, she only comes here to defend a blasphemous book and exalt her brand of religion. Many are doing this all over the internet, using forums like this one to promote their agendas and push their ‘god’. It may be time to stop giving Jacquelyn a platform to spew out her agenda on? Just a thought.
No! One thing is to exclude yourself from judging! Another is to accept sin under the guise of being non-judgemental! You have shown your true colors! And, by publicly approving gay pride you’re culpable, and hypocritical. The last word I’ll exchange with you is: repent.
“Why do you chose to ignore the gentleness, meekness, of Jesus the irrefutable evidence that he forgave Mary Magdalene, Zaccheus, and too many to list”
How do you know if this is true or not? Jesus didn’t write this. How can you say it’s irrefutable? You say the apostles were fallible, even if the Bible explicitly says they were writing this under the guidance of The Holy Spirit.
Also discernment is the vehicle used in judging…… Judgement is the result of the discernment.
The money changers were not political per say, but corruption within the religious system. As for politics and government, Jesus said give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and give unto God what is God’s. Jesus being God also, instituted human government.
This reminds me of ” did God really say?” Subtle indeed. Judging is crucial, how can you tell the difference between the holy and the profane? The ultimate book of judgement is Revelation, the whole world will be judged. I went back and reread all the posts, there’s no logic to Jacquelyn’s premise, none. Either you accept the whole counsel of God or you don’t, the Jesus that Jacquelyn is promoting is not biblical.
Manny I am not being subtle just honest. Judging is not crucial – God can show you the difference. All that matters is your relationship with God. God is big enough to deal with his relationship with others. when he is with you, listening to your prayers, all he wants is for you to have a loving relationship with him! He is strong and powerful he will deal with the rest. He wants you.
It is the difference between Christianity and religion. God does not need you! He created everything – he existed long before the universe and will live long after. He does not need you to judge. But we need him. Individually, each of us need him to lead fulfilling lives. And because he loves us that much he will walk with us and guide us so we can live beautiful lives.
Sorry – I forget this is pointless – you don’t want to hear anymore really do you?
I do accept the whole counsel of God, I accept he will judge justly knowing every aspect of my life. Unlike you who will judge without even believing I have cancer?!!! How could you possibly judge me justly and righteously?
Good evening Jacquelyn,
If I follow your logic, then men like Rick Warren, Joel Osteen and the money preachers cannot be judged, they’re allowed to continue, we can’t even warn others since thats judging. Jacquelyn that doesn’t make sense.
Dear Jacquelyn,
I’m very saddened by your photo, Amy is spot on, we now understand where you’re coming from. I see now your aversion to scripture, judging and your embrace of a false gospel, repent Jacquelyn or what you will find when you meet Jesus face to face is not what you think. You approve of sin, your definition of love is not biblical, not even close. Everything now makes sense.
Oh I get it – I follow Jesus I- I will not cast the first stone to anyone. I Will not judge anyone be they LGBT or Muslim, Roman Catholic or atheist.
By the way I am 100% heterosexual, but I will not judge and you already knew that – that is what I have been trying to tell you for days. And why would the fact that I will not judge people sadden you? My life is so full of God’s love, I want to shout it from the rooftops.
That photo is about 8 or 9 years old – it must have taken you ages to rummage through my photos to find that one.
Keep in touch.
Try saying something nice to me. Keeping me in your prayers is nice.
I am sure we can find some coo on ground without be patronising to one another!!
You do judge Jacquelyn. eg You have evaluated that people commenting on this site are ‘far from Christlike’. But you do not know them. Neither do I.
There are plenty of instructions in the Bible that teach us to evaluate/judge/weigh up. Paul told Titus that elders/overseers should be able to ‘refute’ and means there needs to be a judging of some kind. ch 1v9.
I could have argued and joined in the discussion but there is nothing in me that hates yet if you are opposed you take it as not loving.
And you gave your information for all to check you out so you cannot complain. Not that I have found your facebook page. But many of us are such that we search well on the internet.
I see Jacquelyn where you are from. I did look and see from your tweets that you like Steve Chalke. Which explains most of the things I have read in your comments. Which means as I suspected, that you are happy with ’emergent’ or liberal teaching. Steve Chalke who caused great controversy in recent years in the UK with his comments on ‘the atonement’ and promotion of same sex marriage. (To American readers, a UK version of Rob Bell) I think you have every right to believe and follow what and who you want but not to come on a website like this and go on and on. Make your point then leave it.
We certainly as believers would want to be kind and sympathetic of a person with cancer but whether you have it or not is not for anyone to judge for nobody knows you. And I have not detected that anyone doubts you, but it is not something for you to use to gain pity. Many of us have difficult things in our lives.
You are obviously happy with what you believe in and follow and are not going to change and no doubt you have like minded people who will support you and care for you as you need at this time of life.
I wish you well.
Susan I hate pity and have never looked for it. I explained why I came on here. I read the article which did not logically make sense and I ask a question – the writer of the article ignored the fact that Jesus said do not judge -followed by a full stop. And demonstrated that with the example of (a large ) plank and (the small ) speck which was ignored in the article. I asked how could someone read this, know Jesus’ life and how he behaved and yet write an article that seems to say we can oppose anything that is different from us.
I used my cancer as an example and threw in a few ideas – like people who cannot understand the Bible and how you feel about their faith.
I have also read some other threads on the site and was shocked at the vile hatred content of some of the articles.
You say you would want to be kind and sympathetic to someone with cancer – but that does not stretch to people who are gay – you do not want to be kind or sympathetic to them? Or Roman Catholics you will not be kind and sympathetic to them either. What about Muslims, what about writers of books, writers of hymns. It is just hard for me to see why you make these distinctions.
What cannot you not see that we are all broken in one way or another and offer the hand of friendship – give them a chance. Perhaps if you spoke to them kindly – you may understand better.
Dialogue is not a bad thing – it is important for people to keep speaking to one another, that way barriers are broken down, it is when segregation occurs – hatred fills in the gaps where suspicion lies.
I have nothing to hide and have laid my life bare in front of you. To show you I am not your enemy. People who think like me are not your enemy.
Perhaps by seeing me and watching how God walks every step of my difficult path, it will help others to see he can do the same for them.
If Jesus’ message is not one of love – what is it?
Steve Charlie
“Home > Archives > 2013 > January
FAMILY AND SEXUALITY
Steve Chalke Stuns British Evangelicals By Coming Out in Support of Same-Sex Relationships
(Updated) Evangelical leader makes controversial argument in latest Christianity magazine.
Jeremy Weber [ POSTED 1/16/2013 07:01AM ]
Update (Feb. 5): The British parliament voted today to “[authorize] same-sex marriages but also exempts religious organizations from having to perform them,” reports the Los Angeles Times. The bill, which passed by a 400-175 vote, has several more hurdles to clear before becoming law.
Update (Jan. 25): Associated Baptist Press reports how British Baptists are debating Chalke’s position on homosexuality and how the Baptist Union of Great Britain should respond.
––-
Steve Chalke, one of the most prominent evangelical leaders in the United Kingdom, has publicly announced his change of belief that monogamous same-sex relationships are not sinful, and makes an argument for why churches should support such relationships in the latest issue of Christianity magazine.
Released yesterday, the magazine’s February issue focuses on “The Bible and Homosexuality.” It follows columnist Chalke’s article “calling for a new Christian understanding of homosexual relationships” with ones by theologian in residence Greg Downes “unpack[ing] the traditional evangelical understanding of homosexuality” and editor Ruth Dickinson “tak[ing] the temperature of evangelical opinion on the subject.”
“Steve Chalke: Why I’ve created a church charter for gay marriage
9th May 2016
Following the news that his church will offer gay marriages, Steve Chalke has launched an ‘Open Church Charter’ which calls on all churches to ‘offer marriage to couples regardless of gender identity and sexuality’. Here, Steve explains what led to his decision. For a response to these announcements, read Ed Shaw’s blog
The question of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender inclusion is a divisive one for the Church, but one which, in the end, is about something much bigger than simply the issue of Church unity. It goes much deeper. It impacts the life and health of countless individuals, families and entire communities as well as of our global society.
Exclusion by the Church has had a deeply damaging effect on LGBT people, both directly and indirectly. Many LGBT people have suffered mental, spiritual and even physical abuse at the hands of church leaders and members who have sought to lead them away from what they perceive to be ‘sinful’ inclinations or behaviours, as defined by their interpretation of the Bible.
The pervasive impact of the Church’s traditional view of sexuality has reinforced and perpetuated a national culture in which LGBT people are less than fully accepted or included and are often rejected.”
Instead of spreading The Gospels, he spreads sin. And he’s made a judgement, he’s judged against scripture, went after the world, he’s an apostate, teaching and approving sin, there’s a greater condemnation for these false teachers.
Jesus said not to judge in pride, in hypocrisy and for personal aggrandizement, there is righteous judgement!
Righteous judgement can only be made when you are receipt of full knowledge. Therefore you will never be able to judge righteously. Although God can, and will. If you believe we are all so wrong – why do you not trust that God, that he will judge fairly and leave it to him. I do not understand why you do not pass it all to God?????
That’s not true, the Bible says we are to evaluate and judge. Because, He says we must discern false teaching from the truth! Jacquelyn you have made a judgement! You have judged homosexuality to be a godly endeavor! You think you’re not judging, but you are, you have judged that homosexuality is ok by God’s standard!
I just believe all love comes from God – it has to – the Devil is only in one place at a time – as the Devil is not a God and is therefore not omni present.
It is all about love!
And I do not behave like a homosexual therefore I will not be judged by God in that way even if you are right.
You might not be a homosexual, but you approve of it! Not all love comes from God! There’s love of the world!
“3For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the pagans: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 4Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead”
Steven Chalke* typo
Doing that, you approve of it! You thinks it’s something to be proud about! You approve of what Steven Charlie approves, homosexual marriage!
No I do not think I have a right to say how another person leads their life – I do not approve of judging
It’s not what you think Jacquelyn nor me, it’s what scripture says. You are either with God or you’re not! You’ve made a choice! You roundly deny scripture because according to you Spirit-led apostles got it wrong, except the parts THEY WROTE about Jesus. So you might not approve of judging, but you do judge! It’s unbelievable you cannot see the contradictions in your logic! You also think a marriage between two men or women is ok! But that doesn’t count because the passages in scripture roundly condemning the practice were written by fallible men, the same fallible men who wrote about Christ! It’s absurd and circular!
God knows what is in my heart. I fell in love with my husband, I could not tell you why I love him sexually – I just do.
I cannot condemn someone for having those feelings. I will not judge. I have no right. I do not know these people.
Between two consenting adults whatever their carnal desires are – it is up to them. You are not aware of what happens in my bedroom!!! Who am I to judge. I will love all!
i will serve all. As the years went by I have cooked breakfast for all sorts and have entertained from gay people to swingers. It does not bother me. Why would you be horrified. Jesus served prostitue devious tax collectors. All are welcome here. I have even persuaded a few to join us in church!!!
It is not my place to judge. It is my place to show the gracious forgiving love of the Lord
How will they ever turn to God if they are never welcomed.
You would be welcome here.
I have had a few homeless people stay in my time. Not all the most savoury of characters – But I will smile – and cook them breakfast – talk to them
Jesus says I must feed and look after these guests each one of them is In need.
Is that not what we are asked to do?
my argument is to listen when there is a person in need – regardless of creed, colour, sexual orientation, whether they are homeless or just released from prison. All and I mean all would be welcome. Because that is my faith. I stand by that. There is no related sinner than me (my plank )- why could I judge others (speck)
God may be dealing with there issue with them – a woman used to stay regularly who was divorcing her husband because she believed that God had never intended her to marry him I the first place.
Not my place to judge!!
So you didn’t even bother to give her biblical advise? What God says about marriage? So you would let her run straight into sin in order not to violate your sensibilities????!!!!!! Do you not see a problem with that? It’s selfish! You’d rather put your sensibilities in front of Godly advice!
I leave it to God – he knows what is in her heart – far better than me. All he wants from me is to love them unconditionally
I love all my guests, even the most rough down and out can sometimes say the profoundest things – God works in mysterious ways!!
Jesus never ever approved of their sin! He would tell them sin no more! This not about you and your husband! This is an issue of wilfully ignoring the word of God for your preconceived notions, notions that are are not based on God’s word! Again, you will not turn anyone to God! The only way to be loving to them is by telling them the truth! Even if they don’t want to hear it! You shouldn’t worry if someone doesn’t like you for saying the truth, you should worry about what God thinks!
Again, this is not about showing hospitality to the “rough down and out” it’s about letting people know the truth!
Do you feel that God wanted us to have this conversation?
Am I supposed to be offended by what you are telling me?
God sometimes sends me on these errands – usually end up at someone’s house when I am really needed. Well we shall see – there will be a reason! Usually is. God is like that!
Goodnight my friends – sleep well. xxxxxxxxxx
I have turned many people to God. It is because I can’t stop talking about his forgiving gracious love. I don’t seek love it finds me. I don’t seek these people God sends them to me!
God knows I love him to nth degree, and will go wherever he wants me. Just like Jonah – sometimes he sends me to places I do not want to go!! But I usually get there in the end!
God’s love is boundless – you do know that – there is room for us all!!!
I’m mandated by Him, as is every follower of Jesus Christ, to uphold His word. I’m not trying to offend you, I am showing you where you are in error! Not only I, but many others too! God sends you on errands?! You can’t give a divorce prone woman biblical advise and yet God sends you to rolled homes? To where you are needed? There’s just no sense in this!
I know such a sinful woman and he uses me????? I am so not worthy. Yet that is God for you! He is just so amazing!
God is not using you Jacquelyn, you might think so, but He’s not.
You do not know this – how can you? You are not God.
I am sorry, I know you would like to believe this because that would fit in nicely with your preconceived ideas of how these things work.
But the reality is you cannot control God to make him fit your logical ideas – sometimes logic plays no part.
And I am a mathematician and sometimes this annoys me too!
Bit like David and Goliath – who would have thought he would send a small boy to defeat a giant?
This is not applicable to this conversation, you’re not David, if there was a man who judged, it was David.
I just love – that is all I know how to do! Unconditional love. Does not matter who you are – how great your sin – I will offer no judgement – just compassion.
Maybe that is just what some people need?
All I know is wherever God leads me I will go!
Must go – v late here. God Bless all of you! xxxxxxx
How can God use you if you don’t even acknowledge the difference between good and evil? You won’t even take a stand for Him, when you embrace homosexuality and spurn His word? You really can’t see any of this? Wow! Just, wow!
Because I acknowledge God!
So do demons! And they shudder! Acknowledging God doesn’t save you!
Is that not all that is required of us?
Absolutely not!
Amy, if only more Christians would have that zeal for God, but married with correct doctrine and love for His written Word.
The Narrow Way must be followed—no matter how much it may militate against my worldly interests. It is right here that the testing point is reached. Unto the natural man, it is much easier and far more pleasant—to indulge the flesh and follow our worldly propensities. The Broad Road, where the flesh is allowed “liberty” —under the pretense of the Christian’s not “being under the law” —is easy, smooth, and attractive; but it ends in “destruction!” Though the “Narrow Way” leads to life, only FEW tread it.
Multitudes make a profession and claim to be saved—but their lives give no evidence that they are “strangers and pilgrims” here on earth, or that their “treasure” is in heaven. They are afraid of being thought narrow and peculiar, strict and puritanical. Satan has deceived them—they imagine that they can get to heaven by an easier route than by denying self, taking up their cross daily, and following Christ!
There are multitudes of religionists who are attempting to combine the two “ways,” making the best of both worlds and serving two masters. They wish to gratify self in time—and enjoy the happiness of Heaven in eternity. Crowds of nominal Christians are deluding themselves into believing that they can do so—but they are terribly deceived! A profession which is not verified by mortifying the deeds of the body in the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:13), is vain. A faith which is not evidenced by complete submission to Christ, is only the faith of demons. A love which does not keep Christ’s commandments, is an imposition (John 14:23). A claim to being a Christian, where there is no real yieldedness to the will of God, is daring presumption. The reason why so few will enter Eternal Life—is because the multitudes are not seeking it in the way of God’s appointing! None seek it aright—but those who pass through the Narrow Gate, and who, despite many discouragements and falls, continue to press forward along the Narrow Way.
Now notice, carefully, the very next thing which immediately followed our Lord’s reference to the two ways in Matthew 7: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing—but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Why does this come in next? Who are the “false prophets” against which a serious soul needs to be on his guard?
They are those who teach that Heaven may be reached without treading the Narrow Way! They are those who loudly insist that eternal life may be obtained on much easier terms. They come in “sheep’s clothing”—they appear (to undiscerning souls) to exalt Christ, to emphasize His precious blood, to magnify God’s grace. BUT they do not insist upon repentance; they fail to tell their hearers that nothing but a broken heart which hates sin, can truly believe in Christ. They do not teach that a saving faith is a living one which purifies the heart (Acts 15:9) and overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).
These “false prophets” are known by their “fruits,” the primary reference being to their “converts”—the fruits of their fleshly labors. Their “converts” are on the Broad Road, which is not the path of open wickedness and vice—but of a religion which pleases the flesh! It is that “way which seems right unto a man—but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Those who are on this Broad Road (this way which “seems right” to so many), have a head-knowledge of the Truth—but they walk not in it. The “Narrow Way” is bounded by the commandments and precepts of Scripture; the Broad Road is that path which has broken out beyond the bounds of Scripture. Titus 2:11-12 supplies the test as to which “way” we are in: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.”
A.W. Pink – https://www.gracegems.org/Pink/narrow_way.htm
Christians and judgment go together like God and Satan- made for each other. It’s the thing you all do best. You’re so repressed, you want others to live inside the same imaginary lines you draw around yourself. Let others be who they are. You’re not spreading peace, you’re spreading hate, just like your racist president. God bless!