TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE
By Pastor Greg Hooker
What many don’t understand is the fact that we, as Christians, are to live according to God’s Word the best we can. Yet regardless of how hard we try we are going to fail. And when we fall short, we go to the Lord for forgiveness and He is always more than ready to restore us (not to save us again, but restore us to His fellowship). Just as an earthly father would correct us, so does our Heavenly Father.
On the other hand, unbelievers don’t read the Bible often, nor can they understand what the Scriptures are saying because the Holy Spirit doesn’t live in them. Sometimes as Christians we try to explain the basics of sin, salvation and the Savior to them and are accused of judging, when in fact that is what Christ has commissioned us to do - judge and warn the sinner of the error of their ways based on God’s Word. This is one example:
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” - Ephesians 4:29
As believers we are told to “reprove, rebuke and exhort” others to repent and follow righteousness. That is our responsibility. This always makes the Devil mad, and it should, else we aren’t doing what the Lord wants us to do.
When people, sinners and Christians alike, are going down the wrong path, we, who are spiritual, should do everything possible to warn them of God’s judgement that unless they repent (turn from sin and embrace the Savior) they will suffer the punishment of the Lord.
I thank God when others are offended by the truth of the Gospel when we explain it to them. It is then we know our feeble, yet sincere efforts to communicate the Word of God are productive and the Holy Spirit is doing His work.
I don’t get upset or mad at them, but I’m glad it makes the Devil uncomfortable! So as I’ve said many times, “Keep on Praising, Praying, and Proclaiming the Truth of Gods Word”!
“Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying.
Jesus is merciful,
Jesus will save.”
By Pastor Greg Hooker
What many don’t understand is the fact that we, as Christians, are to live according to God’s Word the best we can. Yet regardless of how hard we try we are going to fail. And when we fall short, we go to the Lord for forgiveness and He is always more than ready to restore us (not to save us again, but restore us to His fellowship). Just as an earthly father would correct us, so does our Heavenly Father.
On the other hand, unbelievers don’t read the Bible often, nor can they understand what the Scriptures are saying because the Holy Spirit doesn’t live in them. Sometimes as Christians we try to explain the basics of sin, salvation and the Savior to them and are accused of judging, when in fact that is what Christ has commissioned us to do - judge and warn the sinner of the error of their ways based on God’s Word. This is one example:
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” - Ephesians 4:29
As believers we are told to “reprove, rebuke and exhort” others to repent and follow righteousness. That is our responsibility. This always makes the Devil mad, and it should, else we aren’t doing what the Lord wants us to do.
When people, sinners and Christians alike, are going down the wrong path, we, who are spiritual, should do everything possible to warn them of God’s judgement that unless they repent (turn from sin and embrace the Savior) they will suffer the punishment of the Lord.
I thank God when others are offended by the truth of the Gospel when we explain it to them. It is then we know our feeble, yet sincere efforts to communicate the Word of God are productive and the Holy Spirit is doing His work.
I don’t get upset or mad at them, but I’m glad it makes the Devil uncomfortable! So as I’ve said many times, “Keep on Praising, Praying, and Proclaiming the Truth of Gods Word”!
“Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying.
Jesus is merciful,
Jesus will save.”