I love the Truth. When I hear someone being something other than truthful - either through ignorance or willful dishonesty - it stirs up strong emotions in me. Why? Because terrible things are done under the cover of deception by those who choose to live a lie. For example, I remember the whole Watergate mess which someone has said was a 'third rate burglary turned into a first class conspiracy.' What brought down President Nixon was not just the work of a few men who broke into political offices under the cover of night. It was culture of manipulation and dishonesty that rotted his administration from the inside out. Eventually when the lies caught up to him, Nixon was forced to resign. A generation later, President Clinton nearly met the same fate. Why? Because he refused to tell the truth! Caught in a sordid infidelity, he tried to weasel his way out and forever more will be known as the President who wondered what 'is' is!
Truth is important in another sense, too; what we believe is true and thus, becomes the foundation upon which we build our lives. I know a person who is totally convinced that no one should be trusted, that everyone is a adversary against whom she must defend herself. Her whole life has a fortress mentality, is lived defensively and from behind locked doors. Her 'truth' shapes her life. By contrast I know another person who knows that God loves him, that God actively cares and provides for him. He lives joyfully, despite many difficult experiences. He loves and cares for others with a child-like openness supported by his trust in his heavenly Father.
For the Believer, there is a primary source of truth. It is the Holy Scripture that teaches Who God is, What He has done, and How we can please Him. It is powerful! That is why we are cautioned - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." (2 Timothy 2:15-16, NIV) Correctly handle the Word of Truth! Do you study, know, understand, and apply the truth of the Scripture to your life, Believer? God gave us the Scripture to bring us to life, godliness, and wholeness. The Psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105, NIV)
I am deeply concerned that many Believers have a superficial knowledge of the Bible - a few verses plucked from favorite passages, but no real grasp of the magnificent wisdom for life found in it. In part this is due to shallow teaching from preachers who are more concerned with drawing a crowd than creating disciples! It is also the result of poor interpretative skill regarding the Bible. John MacArthur, pastor and author, recently published a book called The Truth War. In it he creates a case (overly harsh in my opinion) for adopting a militant stand for the Truth of the Word. In one telling passage, he relates the story of a preacher who mangled the meaning and intent of the Bible to create a sermon that had no basis in Biblical truth. "A preacher preached a sermon from Mark 2, which tells about some men who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus, lowering him through the roof so he could be healed. Mark 2.4 says, "They could not come nigh unto him for the press." (KJV) This man took that phrase as his text and ... sermonized for more than half an hour about how the press - the news media - are still keeping people from Jesus even to this day! But that verse has nothing to do with the news media. "The press" in that context is talking about the dense crowd." - The Truth War, MacArthur, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2007
It is easy (I hope!) to laugh at such an egregious mis-use of the holy text, but it is really no laughing matter. Some Believers who heard that sermon were convinced to become adversaries of the media because of a wholly dishonest presentation masquerading as the Truth! The Truth of the Bible is powerful, life-changing, pointing us to God and eternal life with Him. Let's respect it, learn it, and study it skillfully and with inspiration; for Jesus promised, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!"
___________________________
O Lord our Lord,
How majestic is Your name.
Your words are true,
Your mercy does not change.
All Your promises are precious,
Reviving our faith.
Every one of themWill be fulfilled one day.
Oh, all Your promises
Are "Yes" and "Amen" in Jesus.
Your promises are true.
All Your promises
Are "Yes" and "Amen"
Lord Jesus,
We'll keep running after You.
All Your Promises
© 1995 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
(Admin. by Music Services) CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, June 22, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Does faithfulness matter?
Americans love BIG, RICH, and IMPORTANT, don't we? If we are not doing what we do for many people or on a world stage, the temptation is to begin to believe that it is unimportant and/or that we can slack off on from a high level of performance. Think again! George O. Wood, who serves our national church as her General Secretary, wrote an essay that helped me to think again about faithfulness. What follows is derived from a letter he sent to pastors last week.
Name the 5 wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last 5 winners of the Heisman trophy.
Name the last 5 women to hold the title - "Miss America."
Name any 10 people who have won either a Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
Name the last 10 teams to win the World Series.
I totally struck out. I can only recall a couple of those names! None of us can remember the headlines even from yesterday. These were the best in their field, but the applause soon dies, the awards tarnish, the achievements are forgotten. Certificates get buried with their owners.
Now, take a different approach.
List several teachers that helped you in your education.
Name 3 friends who were there for you in time of crisis or need.
Name 5 people from whom you learned something worthwhile.
List a few people that have made you feel special and/or appreciated.
Think of 5 people with whom you want to spend more time.
Not so hard, is it? We can rattle off those names fairly quickly. The people who make a real difference in our lives are not always those with credentials, money, or awards. They are the people who care, who show us that they love us.
From time to time, I'll admit that pride tiptoes up on me and whispers, "Who cares what you do? Who cares if you show up, do your best?" Truth is, outside of a small circle of friends and family, I am unknown! When God calls me home, I fairly certain that no flags will be lowered to half-staff. So what? Does that mean my life does not count? Not at all. God has given me a place to fill, people to love, lives to touch. He knows exactly how much I am capable of doing, and He has given me gifts of the Spirit that perfectly equip me to fulfill His will perfectly. Will I? That answer is up to me and depends, not so much on numbers, but on faithfulness.
Be faithful, friend, wherever God puts you. Grow where you're planted!
"As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do." (Ephesians 6:6-8, NLT)
Name the 5 wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last 5 winners of the Heisman trophy.
Name the last 5 women to hold the title - "Miss America."
Name any 10 people who have won either a Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
Name the last 10 teams to win the World Series.
I totally struck out. I can only recall a couple of those names! None of us can remember the headlines even from yesterday. These were the best in their field, but the applause soon dies, the awards tarnish, the achievements are forgotten. Certificates get buried with their owners.
Now, take a different approach.
List several teachers that helped you in your education.
Name 3 friends who were there for you in time of crisis or need.
Name 5 people from whom you learned something worthwhile.
List a few people that have made you feel special and/or appreciated.
Think of 5 people with whom you want to spend more time.
Not so hard, is it? We can rattle off those names fairly quickly. The people who make a real difference in our lives are not always those with credentials, money, or awards. They are the people who care, who show us that they love us.
From time to time, I'll admit that pride tiptoes up on me and whispers, "Who cares what you do? Who cares if you show up, do your best?" Truth is, outside of a small circle of friends and family, I am unknown! When God calls me home, I fairly certain that no flags will be lowered to half-staff. So what? Does that mean my life does not count? Not at all. God has given me a place to fill, people to love, lives to touch. He knows exactly how much I am capable of doing, and He has given me gifts of the Spirit that perfectly equip me to fulfill His will perfectly. Will I? That answer is up to me and depends, not so much on numbers, but on faithfulness.
Be faithful, friend, wherever God puts you. Grow where you're planted!
"As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do." (Ephesians 6:6-8, NLT)
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Our Blessed Hope
No matter how relentlessly optimistic a person may try to be, there are days when the skies are dark! When the forecast is gloomy and the news headlines are all bad, it can hard to hold onto hope. Ever have those days? Sure you have, because we all do at one time or another!
Sometimes it is the state of the world that makes us think that there is no reason for hope in the future. Some scientists point to the rise in the globe's temperature as evidence that the existence of humanity is at stake. Wars continue, fed by religious hatred, political feuds, and economic issues. Sometimes the source of discouragement is much closer to home. We experience sorrow when a family member contracts a debilitating disease, or when divorce tears up a home, or when a once secure job evaporates when the company folds. Sometimes the darkness is inside of us - a recurring depression, a sinful habit that threatens to overwhelm us, or fear of some undefined nature.
A dark mood often yields to encouragement from a friend who helps us to set it all in a better perspective. Taking a break and giving ourselves a few days to rest can be amazingly restorative for our emotions. Learning to master our emotions, using them to make our life rich but refusing to allow them to govern us, is important, too. There is a source of hope that is more effective in dealing with despair than a cheerful song, a couple days at the beach, or self-talk. What is it? God's truth!
Those who belong to Christ will be concerned about the suffering and difficulties of life. They will go through the disappointments that all people endure - war, disease, temptation - included. However, they can rise above the despair that such things bring, because they know, by faith, that they are God's own, held in His hand. John reminds us "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NIV)
This week I've been reading through 1 Thessalonians, the inspired letter that Paul wrote to a young church. It is short, just 5 chapters, but it is upbeat! What is the reason for the hopeful tone of the letter? Each chapter closes with a reference to the promise of Christ's return. The apostle tells us to stay hopeful because our Lord has not left us to fate. He is working out His will in us, building His kingdom through us, and will come for us in the moment chosen in the will of God, the Father. Paul does not see the return of Christ as a reason for fear or dread at all! He takes great hope from that promise. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NLT)
Unlike some Believers who choose to use the promise of the return of Jesus as a reason to escape life's troubles, Paul urges us to take hope from the promise and then to dig in to make a difference here on earth for God's sake! The Blessed Hope infuses us with courage, keeps us steady, and gives us reason to serve and love in Christ's name. Why? Because we know that even death itself cannot steal our reward. Our destiny is not a grave. Though our voice may fall silent here on this earth in death, we will shout with the saints when we are gathered 'round the Throne of God!
So, take hold of your hope - a hope based not on wealth, health, or sunshine - but rather on the Promise of the Lord. Pray for wisdom in dealing with the challenges, for restored perspective on current events, for the power of the Spirit to overcome the Enemy, and for faith to remain faithful! And may what Paul wrote of the Believers in the letter also be said of us: "The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom." (1 Thessalonians 1:7-10, The Message)
____________________________
A parade began at Calvary,
And the saints of all the ages fill its ranks.
O'er the sands of time they're marching
To their King's great coronation.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
O this could be the dawning
Of that grand and glorious day,
When the face of Jesus we behold.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages,
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
All the saints are getting restless,
O, what glorious expectation fills each face.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
This Could Be the Dawning© 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright ManagementCCLI License No. 810055
Sometimes it is the state of the world that makes us think that there is no reason for hope in the future. Some scientists point to the rise in the globe's temperature as evidence that the existence of humanity is at stake. Wars continue, fed by religious hatred, political feuds, and economic issues. Sometimes the source of discouragement is much closer to home. We experience sorrow when a family member contracts a debilitating disease, or when divorce tears up a home, or when a once secure job evaporates when the company folds. Sometimes the darkness is inside of us - a recurring depression, a sinful habit that threatens to overwhelm us, or fear of some undefined nature.
A dark mood often yields to encouragement from a friend who helps us to set it all in a better perspective. Taking a break and giving ourselves a few days to rest can be amazingly restorative for our emotions. Learning to master our emotions, using them to make our life rich but refusing to allow them to govern us, is important, too. There is a source of hope that is more effective in dealing with despair than a cheerful song, a couple days at the beach, or self-talk. What is it? God's truth!
Those who belong to Christ will be concerned about the suffering and difficulties of life. They will go through the disappointments that all people endure - war, disease, temptation - included. However, they can rise above the despair that such things bring, because they know, by faith, that they are God's own, held in His hand. John reminds us "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NIV)
This week I've been reading through 1 Thessalonians, the inspired letter that Paul wrote to a young church. It is short, just 5 chapters, but it is upbeat! What is the reason for the hopeful tone of the letter? Each chapter closes with a reference to the promise of Christ's return. The apostle tells us to stay hopeful because our Lord has not left us to fate. He is working out His will in us, building His kingdom through us, and will come for us in the moment chosen in the will of God, the Father. Paul does not see the return of Christ as a reason for fear or dread at all! He takes great hope from that promise. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NLT)
Unlike some Believers who choose to use the promise of the return of Jesus as a reason to escape life's troubles, Paul urges us to take hope from the promise and then to dig in to make a difference here on earth for God's sake! The Blessed Hope infuses us with courage, keeps us steady, and gives us reason to serve and love in Christ's name. Why? Because we know that even death itself cannot steal our reward. Our destiny is not a grave. Though our voice may fall silent here on this earth in death, we will shout with the saints when we are gathered 'round the Throne of God!
So, take hold of your hope - a hope based not on wealth, health, or sunshine - but rather on the Promise of the Lord. Pray for wisdom in dealing with the challenges, for restored perspective on current events, for the power of the Spirit to overcome the Enemy, and for faith to remain faithful! And may what Paul wrote of the Believers in the letter also be said of us: "The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom." (1 Thessalonians 1:7-10, The Message)
____________________________
A parade began at Calvary,
And the saints of all the ages fill its ranks.
O'er the sands of time they're marching
To their King's great coronation.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
O this could be the dawning
Of that grand and glorious day,
When the face of Jesus we behold.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages,
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
All the saints are getting restless,
O, what glorious expectation fills each face.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.
This Could Be the Dawning© 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright ManagementCCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Saved and Sanctified
My mom tells an old story about a pastor's wife she knew years ago whose son was always in trouble. When challenged by church members about her son's seeming lack of Christian fruit, the dear lady sighed - "The boy is saved, but he's not sanctified yet." In case that's just a little too much 'church talk' for you, let me explain. When a person turns to Jesus Christ and, in faith, accepts His offering of grace through the Cross, that one is 'saved,' yes, rescued from the judgment of God! On the other side of that experience, there should be an ongoing transformation of character, a change of behavior, which is called 'sanctification,' becoming useful to God with a life worthy of His high calling. A theologian of a century ago, A.H. Strong, illustrates it like this: "The steamship whose machinery is broken may be brought into port and made fast to the dock. She is then safe, but not sound. Repairs may last a long time. Christ designs to make us both safe and sound. Justification gives us the first- safety; and sanctification gives us the second - soundness." -
as quoted in Revolution of Character, Navpress, 2005
Of concern to me is the apparent desire of many Believers to enjoy the benefit of God's grace through Christ without the transformation of heart and life! Some, it seems, want to be 'saved' and have the hope of Heaven on the horizon of life, but at the same time, wish to reserve the right to live their lives without constraint of the will of God. How wonderful it is to know Jesus as Savior - to find the relief of guilt through His forgiveness! Equally wonderful is the joy of letting the Spirit transform us, as we cooperate with Him, into people whose lives are marked by the 'beauty of holiness!' But many are duped by a diabolical lie believing that a holy life must be a dull, joyless, colorless life of religious acts and constant suffering. The sentiment printed on a T-shirt I saw last week reflects that deception. It read - "See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. - Have no fun!" This is nothing new! It is a repeat of the ancient deception of Eden where Eve became convinced that she could only know happiness if she discarded the Word of God. "You will be like God, knowing good and evil," the serpent whispered to her, goading her to throw away her perfect relationship with her Father Creator.
Believer, there is joy in sanctification! That disciple of Jesus, who follows Him closely, who chooses to respond quickly with obedience; lives with serenity, enjoys tremendous authority over sin and evil, and is spared the fruit of disobedience which is always bitter after the initial illusion of sweet satisfaction.
He is transparent, knowing no need to hide any part of his life from the scrutiny of others.
His worship is genuine, not needing to be forced past the guilt of his hidden deeds.
He experiences daily guidance for he hears the voice of the Spirit more clearly, and thus, lives purposefully.
His life lends light to the world where he walks, helping others to see their way out of confusion.
His integrity grows for he is not 'this way today, and that way tomorrow,' for he is consistently God's man wherever he goes.
He is trusted by the weak, sought out by the strong, and is a 'friend of sinners' without becoming a participant in their ways.
You may be thinking, "That's not me, for that person seems perfect." No, even the sanctified experience an ongoing insurgency of the sinful nature. There are moments of lapse when unholy thoughts, words, or actions break through. What then? The person who knows he belongs to God, repents, finds forgiveness, and makes no excuse for his sin. He accepts responsibility, makes restitution, and moves into a new day!
We cannot save ourselves. Becoming right with God is solely the work of Christ Jesus and we are recipients of undeserved favor. Sanctification is both God's work and ours! We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis in order to live a holy life. There are choices to be made - sometimes painful, sometimes difficult, sometimes provoking scorn from others - that allow the transformation to continue in us. True holiness (not its imitation - self-imposed piety!) is a thing of beauty. Invite the Lord to make you both safe and sound, won't you?
Here's a word from the Word. Think deeply and prayerfully about the application to your life today.
"But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8, The Message)
Amen!
Monday, June 18, 2007
The rush to judgment
Mike Nifong, the North Carolina prosecutor who was relieved of his law license last week, made a mockery of the notion of justice. A woman accused some young athletes of the crime of rape. As he rightly should have done, he began an investigation. Very soon investigators attached to the case realized that the evidence was not supporting the woman's allegations, but Mr. Nifong had already gone on the public record with harshly accusatory statements and he stubbornly chose to stick with his initial assumptions through the legal process. He made choices to withhold exculpatory evidence from the courts. Finally, justice caught up to this man who lacked the integrity to be a custodian of the law and he was officially disgraced! He failed in his role as a prosecutor because he made a premature decision about the guilt of the accused, instead of seeking the truth that the case would develop, and waiting for the judge and jury to form the judgment.
Some of the regrets in my life are centered around a tendency shared by a majority of human beings - to form a pre-mature judgment about the actions of another. More times than I want to remember, I have jumped to conclusions about what really happened or just assumed that I knew why someone was acting in a way that I thought wrong though I had no actual knowledge of their thought process. I did it with my kids when they were young! Sometimes I handed out discipline before I knew enough of the facts. Even today, I too often decide that I know the real problem, only to later I find out that my assumptions were faulty. One of the deacons who serves in the church of which I serve as pastor has warned me - "Keep your hands off the keyboard for at least 24 hours!" He knows the problems that can be created with a too-quick email response from a person who only thinks he has the facts straight. Often I find that where I thought I "knew" that the other person had some evil intent; in reality, they were afraid, or did not know of alternatives, or they were overcome by their situation. A person who is not making the right choices needs someone who will take time to listen, who will work with them, who is patient while they work their way to a place of wholeness. A rush to judgment precludes justice, shuts down dialogue, and potentially destroys relationships.
Why do we do it? Prejudice, ignorance, stupidity, arrogance; even my own fear, are several reasons I've done it. How about you?
Jesus instructs us with this warning -
"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. "
And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?
How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye." (Matthew 7:1-5, NLT)
Jesus is not telling us to suspend good sense, to drop all standards of right and wrong in favor of some fluffy notion of love and acceptance. We need discretion! Yes, there is a time to say to another, "We need to talk, because the choices you are making are not right. They do not please God. They are harmful to others and to yourself." However, we must be exceedingly cautious about climbing into God's seat of judgment from which we hand down our conclusions in the assumption that we have all knowledge about the motives and actions of others. And we need the heart of mercy and grace that moved God when He saw us in our need to come and save us from our sins! While He can choose destruction, He graciously offers us forgiveness and reconciliation; patiently works with us to make us like Jesus, and gives us His Spirit to live in us to work the new nature into maturity. "God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost." (2 Peter 3:9, CEV)
May the Lord help us to be patient, too. If we must speak of judgment, let us do so, not with any sense of gloating or joy at the destruction of another, but with genuine sorrow that they refused the grace of God to their own loss. When you start to form an opinion, or voice a conclusion about another today - I pray that the Spirit will restrain you saying, "Are you sure about that? Do you have all the facts?" And I pray that we will understand the word from the Word that says, "...continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, NLT)
Some of the regrets in my life are centered around a tendency shared by a majority of human beings - to form a pre-mature judgment about the actions of another. More times than I want to remember, I have jumped to conclusions about what really happened or just assumed that I knew why someone was acting in a way that I thought wrong though I had no actual knowledge of their thought process. I did it with my kids when they were young! Sometimes I handed out discipline before I knew enough of the facts. Even today, I too often decide that I know the real problem, only to later I find out that my assumptions were faulty. One of the deacons who serves in the church of which I serve as pastor has warned me - "Keep your hands off the keyboard for at least 24 hours!" He knows the problems that can be created with a too-quick email response from a person who only thinks he has the facts straight. Often I find that where I thought I "knew" that the other person had some evil intent; in reality, they were afraid, or did not know of alternatives, or they were overcome by their situation. A person who is not making the right choices needs someone who will take time to listen, who will work with them, who is patient while they work their way to a place of wholeness. A rush to judgment precludes justice, shuts down dialogue, and potentially destroys relationships.
Why do we do it? Prejudice, ignorance, stupidity, arrogance; even my own fear, are several reasons I've done it. How about you?
Jesus instructs us with this warning -
"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. "
And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?
How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye." (Matthew 7:1-5, NLT)
Jesus is not telling us to suspend good sense, to drop all standards of right and wrong in favor of some fluffy notion of love and acceptance. We need discretion! Yes, there is a time to say to another, "We need to talk, because the choices you are making are not right. They do not please God. They are harmful to others and to yourself." However, we must be exceedingly cautious about climbing into God's seat of judgment from which we hand down our conclusions in the assumption that we have all knowledge about the motives and actions of others. And we need the heart of mercy and grace that moved God when He saw us in our need to come and save us from our sins! While He can choose destruction, He graciously offers us forgiveness and reconciliation; patiently works with us to make us like Jesus, and gives us His Spirit to live in us to work the new nature into maturity. "God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost." (2 Peter 3:9, CEV)
May the Lord help us to be patient, too. If we must speak of judgment, let us do so, not with any sense of gloating or joy at the destruction of another, but with genuine sorrow that they refused the grace of God to their own loss. When you start to form an opinion, or voice a conclusion about another today - I pray that the Spirit will restrain you saying, "Are you sure about that? Do you have all the facts?" And I pray that we will understand the word from the Word that says, "...continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, NLT)
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