So I've really been struggling with the idea of total surrender to God. If you would've asked me a few months ago if every area of my life was completely surrendered, I would've said yes. Ask me today and its a different story. It's easy to surrender to God the things in my life with little importance. Why is it so hard to let God have control of the things that mean the most to me?! This is a question that has perplexed people of faith since the beginning. No matter how many times I pray and tell God he can have control, I still want to do it my way resulting in a lot of worry and heartache over situations I can't control. Do I really think I'm better at controlling situations than God?....apparently that's the case. I realize being a Christian that I am free from the burden of sin, not from conviction, but the burden. But what about the burdens of life? The life decisions such as finances and relationships...should I not give those to God as well? And if I try so hard to let him have control, why am I still burdened when things don't go my way? From the moment I put my trust in Jesus, the burden of sin left me, but when it comes to life’s burdens, God may or may not take them away. If He doesn’t, I have to remember that God will give me the grace I need to stand strong in His love. One thing I have noticed, is that the burdens come when I shift my focus from serving and worshiping God, to looking out for my own needs. To combat this means to completely sequester my pride. As pastor Dennis said last week our life must be structured in this order: 1)God 2)others 3)ourselves. God give me the strength and faith of Abraham.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Judgment
“It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge and my job to love.” -Billy Graham Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24
Judgment of Unbelievers
When it comes to the judgment of our fellow brother's actions (not their salvation or heart), we are instructed to offer reproof. It is very clear. Simply ignoring the sins of our brother whether they are against us or against God and others, and continuing to “fellowship” with that brother as if nothing were wrong is simply not an option if we are going to truly obey God. Of course, it is also true that withdrawal from this sinning brother cant be done without first confronting him in love.
Our job as Christians is to love others with the same love of God, to spread His truth throughout the world, and to be the vessel through which God saves souls.
In Matthew 18 Jesus gives one my favorite parables on forgiveness. I pray that you take the time to read this and consider its application in your own life. At least pay attention to verses 22 & 35.
21Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
24"When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
25"But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.
26"So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.'
27"And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.
28"But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.'
29"So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.'
30"But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.
31"So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened.
32"Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?'
34"And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
35"My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."
Matthew 18:21-35
Judgment of Unbelievers
This quote has gotten me into some pretty intense debates on the Christian's role as a judge in this life. Thought I'd share my opinions. First I want to clarify that our judgment toward believers is treated separately than our judgment of unbelievers. In reference to unbelievers, I think we are to judge right from wrong and actions seperate from the people doing them. I can judge evil and not judge the doer of evil. The doer's soul will be held accountable for their sins by God. Also, who am I to judge someone for sin when there is sin in my own life? Judgement in rightousness is necessary to disern what is good or bad but not to condemn someone. Many instances talking about judgement are referring to making a judgement on someone's salvation which no man can judge because we can't see someones heart, only Jesus can. The point I thought of the Billy Graham quote was that we are to love unconditionaly without passing judgement. You can be a murderer and I can love you and at the same time hate the sin you committed. You can be an atheist and I'm not gonna think any less of you as a person than I do myself. If we do not associate with unbelievers then how are they to become believers. This is clearly not the example Christ has set to judge the world and hold ourselves on a righteous pedestal. A quote I run across frequently is that we are to be "In this world but not of this world". This separation we are to portray should be from a difference seen in our lives and not because we have boxed ourselves in a church. We're all in this together, all sinners in need of grace. Grace being the only way, no one person deserving it more than another. Either we accept that or we don't and that is basically the difference.
Judgment of Believers
"But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES." 1 Corinthians 5:11-13.
Our job as Christians is to love others with the same love of God, to spread His truth throughout the world, and to be the vessel through which God saves souls.
In Matthew 18 Jesus gives one my favorite parables on forgiveness. I pray that you take the time to read this and consider its application in your own life. At least pay attention to verses 22 & 35.
21Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
24"When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
25"But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.
26"So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.'
27"And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.
28"But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.'
29"So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.'
30"But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.
31"So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened.
32"Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?'
34"And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
35"My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."
Matthew 18:21-35
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