THE PRAYER-LESS CHRISTIAN!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE PRAYER-LESS CHRISTIAN! 

Memory verse: "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (First Timothy 4 vs 8.)

READ: Luke =18 vs 1 - 8:

18:1: Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray, and not lose heart, 

18:2: saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, nor regard man.
18:3: Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice tor me from my adversary.’
18:4: And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God, nor regard man, 
18:5: yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
18:6: Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.
18:7: And shall not God avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bear long with them?

18:8: I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

INTIMATION:

Prayer is the master key to godliness. Prayer should be as natural as breathing and as enjoyable as eating. It will be as unconscious as our  communication with each other. While doing all these we must not lose the fact that we are communicating in fellowship with Someone superior to us but has given us the privilege to come to Him. A prayer-less Christian is a weaponless, powerless, and defenseless believer. He or she is a toy in the hands of the devil and his agents—the demons. A prayer-less Christian is very far away from God and cannot seek Him and that is the bane of some of the individual members of the body of Christ. 

The Scripture said about our Messiah Jesus Christ; “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” (Mark 1 vs 35.) If prayer was important for Jesus during His earth walk, then it must be important for His followers. Jesus was a man of prayer. He taught prayer, not as a slavish duty, but as a glorious privilege. I use to wonder why He needed to pray. But He needed that because He took His human form, and lived the human life. I am convinced that He didn't draw upon the secret resources that belonged to Him during His earthly ministry, more than it is possible for us who live and walk in His name. 

Without God we can do nothing. Jesus emphasized this fact in John 15 vs 5, when He said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” If without God we can do nothing, how then it will be foolish not to seek Him at all times. We seek God through prayer and His Word. Believing that God exists is only the beginning; even the demons believe that much (James 2 vs 19 -20). God will not settle for mere acknowledgment of His existence. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life. Those who seek God will find that they are rewarded with His intimate presence.

God finds easy to reach us as we constantly visit Him. Our visit to the Lord is fellowshipping with Him in prayers. By constant visit, we make ourselves available for His use. We will be in that prized inner-circle with Him as one of the trusted ones. To persist in prayer and not give up does not mean endless or painfully long prayer sessions. Constant prayer means keeping our requests continually before God as we live for Him day by day, believing He will answer. When we live by faith, we are not to give up. God may delay answering, but His delays always have good reasons. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope.

Pray even if you have to get up very early in the morning to do it. It’s vitally important to: (1) seek the Lord before your busy schedule takes over your thoughts; (2) withdraw from noise and demands so you can focus on God; (3) take Jesus’ attitude of regular communion with the Father; (4) reflect on the priorities Jesus had in His life; (5) determine to pray on a more regular basis, not just in times of crisis. If unjust judges respond to pressure, how much more will a great and loving God respond to us? If we know He loves us, we can believe He will hear our cries for help.

 Some people see prayer as a last resort to be tried when all else fails. This approach is backward. Prayer should come first. Because God’s power is infinitely greater than ours, it only makes sense to rely on it, especially because God encourages us to do so.   The Christian’s most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than we thought were possible. Although God is all-powerful and all-knowing, He has chosen to let us help Him change the world through our prayers. How this works is a mystery to us because of our limited understanding, but it is a reality. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for the privileged invitation to me to constantly commune with You in prayer, knowing that without You I can do nothing. Endue me with the spirit of prayer and supplication at all times, that I may constantly draw strength from Your power, in Jesus’ matchless Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

PREACH THE GOSPEL!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2020.

SUBJECT: PREACH THE GOSPEL!

Memory verse: "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16 vs 15.)

READ: First Corinthians 15 vs 1 - 4:

15:1: Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received and which you stand,
15:2: by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
15:3: For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 

15:4: and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

INTIMATION:

The word “gospel” comes from Greek word “euaggelion,” which means “good news.” However, within the word itself there is no definition of what the good news is. Nonetheless, the apostle Paul, in the passages we read today explains the central message of the good news of God for man in reference to his salvation and hope. The gospel is the good news of Jesus’ death for our sins, and resurrection for our hope. This must be proclaimed to all the world because every person is a sinner. 

The gospel (good news) is that when we trust God's grace to save us through what Christ did, our sins are forgiven, we get a purpose for living, and we are promised a future home in heaven. This is the first message that must be delivered to the unbeliever because the gospel is the only means by which one can be saved (Acts 4 vs 12). Christ died for our sin: All men have sinned (Romans 3 vs 23). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59 vs 1 - 2). And in separation from God, one is spiritually dead and doomed to condemnation (Romans 6 vs 23). 

Jesus died for our sins. By trusting Christ, our relationship with God is made right. In order to connect with the historical event of the gospel, one must obey the gospel by being crucified with Jesus, and subsequently dying with Him. In death there must be a burial, as they buried Jesus after He died on the cross. In the same manner the one who has died with Jesus is buried with Jesus, and subsequently raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Romans 6 vs 3 - 6). The gospel, therefore, is the death of Jesus for our problem of sin, and His burial and resurrection for our hope. Through His death, Jesus answered our problem for spiritual death (Romans 5 vs 12). Through His resurrection, He answered our problem of physical death (First Corinthians 15 vs 20 - 22).

In the passage we read today, the central theme of the gospel is given in the verses, a key defense of Christianity. God made you to be a member of His family, a model of His character, a magnifier of His glory, a minister of His grace, and a messenger of His gospel (good news) to others. Of these five purposes, the fifth can only be done on earth, and the only mission Christ has given us on earth. The other four you will keep doing in eternity in some way. That is why spreading the gospel is so important; you only have a short time to share your life message and fulfill your mission for Christ.

Sharing the gospel fully identifies you with Christ in obedience to the “Great Commission,” and emphasizes your acceptance of what Christ wrought for you in redemption. It will be of absolute importance to you when you realize that you have just your short time on earth to fulfill this mission. It is your being convinced of the authenticity of the gospel, and that it is the power of God showcased to man, that makes you share the gospel with others. No amount of training in this world can motivate you to witness for Christ until you internalize the convictions of the gospel. 

God does not want anyone to be lost, but He wants all people to renew their hearts and live (Second Peter 3 vs 9). As long as you know one person who doesn't know Christ, you must keep praying for them, serving them in love, and sharing the gospel (good news) with them. And as long as there is one person in your community who isn't in the family of God, your church must keep reaching out. 

What are you willing to do so that the people you know will go to heaven? Invite them to Church? Share your story? Invite them to a fellowship? Give them Christian tracts and/or books? Pray for them every day until they are saved? The choice is yours. Your mission is all around you. Don't miss the opportunities God is giving you. 

Is anyone going to be in heaven because of you? Will anyone in heaven be able to say to you, "I want to thank you. I'm here because you cared enough to share the Good News with me" Imagine the joy of greeting people in heaven whom you helped get there. The eternal salvation of a single soul is more important than anything else you will ever achieve in life. Only people are going to last forever. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are love, and has poured out Your love in my heart by the Holy Spirit. Engrace me to shower this love on others, especially in sharing the gospel; good news of what Christ wrought for us in redemption, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

PREFER SPIRITUAL NEEDS OVER PHYSICAL NEEDS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020.

SUBJECT: PREFER SPIRITUAL NEEDS OVER PHYSICAL NEEDS!

Memory verse: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6 vs 33.)

READ: Luke 10 vs 38 - 42: 

10:38: Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

10:39: And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 

10:40: But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

10:41: And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

10:42: But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

INTIMATION:

Having right priorities produce good choices. Our spiritual needs should take precedence over our physical needs. It is good to care for our physical needs, but the spiritual needs of man are always more important. Therefore, one must not use the service of physical needs as an excuse to neglect the spiritual needs that is more important in our lives. Even in offering your service, let your service be of your best interest, and best desired by whom you are offering the service to. Avoid your service becoming self-serving, or degenerate into mere busywork, that is not to your best interest, and that of whom you are serving. 

In the passage we read today, Mary and Martha were both in service to Jesus in their house, the One they both loved. But Martha was very busy with the household chores, and was distracted with much serving, which was a wrong priority for her at the time, though she was doing a needed and good work. The physical needs of her quests should not have taken precedence over her spiritual needs which was the most important her guest has to deliver. She didn't realize that in her desire to serve the physical needs, she was actually neglecting her guest’s desire to give the spiritual need. 

God should be first in our lives, therefore, we should seek Him and His Word first before any other thing. The Word of God is our spiritual need that ought to take precedence over our physical needs. You can be so busy doing things for Jesus that you're not spending any quality time with Him. It is likened to being busy with assigned duties in your service unit in the church that you don't hear the preaching from the pulpit. Jesus, realizing the wrong priorities of Martha, gently corrected her and advised her to set her priorities right. 

Though Martha’s works were good but were not to her best interest. She got so busy that she found it hard to relax and enjoy her guests. Her service to Jesus degenerated into mere busywork that was no longer full of devotion to Him. The personal attention she gave her guests should be more important than the comforts she tried to provide for them. Avoid your service being self-serving or busywork like Martha's

You may be working for God effectively and still not serving Him appropriately. This was the sin of Jehu. In Second Kings 10 vs 30 - 31 the Bible says:- "And the Lord said to Jehu, 'Because you have done well in doing what is right in My sight, and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart, for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin." 

Jehu had become God's instrument for carrying out justice, but he had not become God's servant. Check the condition of your heart toward God, ensure you are not giving only lip service to God. We can be very active in our work for God and still not give the heartfelt obedience He desires. Our greatest desire should be live in the presence of the Lord each day of our lives. Sadly, this is not the greatest desire of many who claim to be believers. Many substitute commitment and obedience to God, and His Word with busywork in form of services to the church, which, to a large extent, is self-serving—wanting to be seen as workers in His vineyard while their heart is far away from Him.

Being in His presence requires communion with Him through prayers, and hearing from Him. We most effectively hear from Him via His Word. Therefore, total attention is required from us to His Word. Any services we offer that takes away our complete attention to His Word degenerates into self-service, or busywork. 

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me with the wisdom and understanding to serve You appropriately; in my best interest, and with total commitment and attention to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

OBSERVE QUIET TIMES WITH THE LORD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2020.

SUBJECT: OBSERVE QUIET TIMES WITH THE LORD!

Memory verse: "For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved: In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” ..” (Isaiah 30 vs 15.)

READ: First Kings 19 vs 11 - 13:

19:11: Then He said, “Go out, and stand upon the mountain before the LORD.” And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rock in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake;
19:12: and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
19:13: So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What doest thou here, Elijah?”

INTIMATION:

Silence is the state of remaining quiet and still, and it engenders full or better concentration. God speaks to us mostly in the quietness of our hearts. And to hear Him requires our being silent, and maintain a quiet disposition for better concentration to be able to hear Him clearly. Therefore, we must seek God in times of silence. How proper for us to be quiet and honor God for His power and might. Take time each day to be silent or quiet and exalt Him. 

Quietness or silence also convey trust and confidence in God, reverently honoring Him and His power and majesty. Take time each day to be still and honor God. God works in quiet ways to bring about His long-range purposes. We should know that no amount of fast talking or hasty activity could speed up God’s grand design. We have nothing to say to God but thank you. 

Quiet time is the time you spend with God alone. This is the greatest secret of developing a close relationship with God, and the most important relationship of your life. Jesus, during His earth walk, separated Himself from everybody to have a quiet time with the Father; “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and their He prayed.” (Mark 1 vs 35.) He also taught His disciples to observe a quiet time with the Lord (Matthew 6 vs 6.) 

God speaks in a still small voice, such that could be heard in quietness of our hearts. Elijah knew that the sound of a still small voice belonged to God. He is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart. God doesn’t reveal Himself only in powerful, miraculous ways. To look for God only in something big (rallies, churches, conferences, highly visible leaders) may be to miss Him. God does not need to appear in great physical events as earthquakes and fires, in order to initiate His work. His power can be concealed in a whisper. Are you listening for God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it.

From the beginning of creation, God desires to associate with us in our quiet times. In the Garden of Eden, God visited Adam and Eve in the cool of the day; “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3 vs 8.) It was during their quiet time that they experienced the presence of God. And the greatest search and want of every human being is the presence of God.

A daily quiet time will make you have a personal relationship with the Lord. Nothing else can make you have a personal relationship with the Lord. Coming to church a thousand times is different from having a personal one to one interaction with the Lord. And it is this personal interaction with the Lord which many Christians lack. Many people may be working in a company, they know the name of the Managing Director, some can recognize him when he comes around, but not many has a personal relationship with him because they do not interact with him personally. It is proper for us to be still now, reverently honoring God and His power and majesty. Take time each day to be still and honor God. He works in quiet ways to bring about His long-range purposes.

Prayer: Abba Father, early will I seek You daily. My soul thirsts for You in quietness and confidence. I yearn for a personal relationship with You. May I have the privilege and honor to daily draw near to You, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

STRIVE TO BE CLOTHED IN WHITE GARMENT!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY JANUARY 31, 2020.

SUBJECT: STRIVE TO BE CLOTHED IN WHITE GARMENT!

Memory verse: "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life; but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels.” (Revelation 3 vs 5.)

READ: Matthew 10 vs 32 - 33; Luke 12 vs 8 - 9:

Matthew 10:32: Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 

But whoever denies Me before men, him I will Aldo deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Luke 12:8: Also I say to you, Whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God:
12:9: But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

INTIMATION:

To be “clothed in white garment” means to be set apart for God and made pure. Those who are set apart for God and made pure are those who stand firm in their faith. Christ promises future honor and eternal life to such people. All such people are guaranteed a listing in the Book of Life and are introduced to the hosts of heaven as belonging to Christ. Their names are registered in the Book of Life, and the book symbolizes God’s knowledge of who belongs to Him. 

As a country has their records of who are their citizens, so do God has the records of those who have been enlisted as citizens of heaven. God does not have to write down the names of the saved in order to remember, He knows those who is His. Those who claim Christ will be claimed by Jesus as His brethren.

The Christian confession is more than words that often give only lip service to God. It requires the commitment of one’s life by sacrificial living. Believers or disciples must offer a living confession before all people whom they live with. Those who are ashamed of letting their spiritual light shine before men as a result of Jesus living in their hearts are certainly not worthy subjects of an eternal dwelling in the presence of God.

At the judgement, the books will be opened. The Book of Life contains the names of those who have put their trust in Christ to save them. These books also contain the recorded deeds of everyone, good or evil. Everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. No one is saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God. Jesus will look at how we have handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. Each of us must serve Christ in the best way we know and live each day knowing the books will one day be opened.

Anyone who confesses Jesus Christ (that is, publicly acknowledges faith in or declared allegiance to Him) will be acknowledged by Christ before His Father in heaven. Jesus’ followers would face earthly courts of law where they would have to publicly claim to belong to Jesus Christ, usually at their peril. Genuine discipleship always involved acknowledging Jesus Christ, whether or not we face pressure and persecution. We acknowledge Him when we (1) live moral, upright, Christ-honoring lives, (2) look for opportunities to share our faith with others, (3) help others in need, (4) take a stand for justice, (5) love others, (6) acknowledge our loyalty to Christ, and (7) use our lives and resources to carry out His desires rather than our own.

By contrast, we deny Jesus when we (1) hope no one will find out we are Christians, (2) decide not to speak up for what is right, (3) are silent about our relationship with God, (4) blend into society, and (5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values. One denies Jesus by not living according to the standards of the One after whom he calls himself. We can reject Jesus now and be rejected by Him at His second coming, or we can accept Him now and be accepted by Him then. Rejecting Jesus may help us escape shame for the time being, but it will guarantee an eternity of shame later.

For those who strive to be clothed in white garment, we cannot imagine all that God has in store us, both in this life and for eternity. The Scripture says, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of Man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” He will create a new heaven and a new earth, and we will live with Him forever. Until then, His Holy Spirit comforts and guides us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship, and to avoid giving in to temptation. This life is not all there is, the best is yet to come. 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to lead a life of complete trust in and obedience to You as I strive to be clothed in white garment in Your presence, and live with You forever, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

CHARITY THAT RECEIVES REWARD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020.

SUBJECT: CHARITY THAT RECEIVES REWARD!

Memory verse: "But all their works they do for to be seen of men. They make broad their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.” (Matthew 23 vs 5.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 1 - 4:

6:1: Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen of them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
6:2: Therefor, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Assuredly, I say unto you, they have their reward.
6:3: But when you do your charitable deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
6:4: that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who see in secret will Himself reward you openly.

INTIMATION:

The charity or giving that receives reward from God is such that is done without ulterior motive; hidden or concealed reason of doing such charity. When you give with a pure motive, you give out of love and compassion, not out of any selfish interest. To be sure our motives are not selfish we should do our good deeds quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas: generosity, prayer, and fasting. These acts should not be self-centered but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. 

God promises a reward for deed of righteousness—charitable deeds from a pure heart—but the reward God promises is not strictly material, and it is never given to those who seek it. In the biblical days of the Old Testament, the Pharisees hypocritically sounded a trumpet when they gave to the poor in the streets. In drawing attention to their act of giving, they received all the reward they would receive which was drawing attention to self. Christians should give in a manner by which they do not intentionally seek the praise of men. They should not give for public display. Their giving should be as private as possible in order that one’s motives for giving be kept pure. 

Doing good to others is good and is reckoned as a deed of righteousness. If one does good in order to receive the recognition of men, then he has the purpose of drawing attention to themselves. The term hypocrites, as used in the passage we read today, describes people who do good acts for appearance only—not out of compassion or other good motives. Their actions may be good, but their motives are hollow. These empty acts are their only reward, but God will reward those who are sincere in their faith.

When Jesus says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, He is teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives, to do something for someone if it will benefit us in return. But believers should avoid all scheming and give for the pleasure of giving and as a response to God’s love. It’s easier to do what’s right when we gain recognition and praise. Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask, Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?

Charitable deed is an act of service to God, and He rewards your service accordingly. Using the gifts God has given us for His service is a deed of righteousness. But when we use our gifts for selfish motives, we are walking in unrighteousness. God uses great preachers like Peter and Paul, but He also uses those who have gifts of kindness for His service. Rather than wishing you had other gifts, make good use of the gifts God has given you.

For instance, the Bible in Acts 9 vs 36 - 42, tells us the story of Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas in Greek, a benevolent sister who spent time in helping others, and she made an enormous impact on her community by always doing kind things for others and helping the poor, by making coats and other garments. When she died, the room where she laid in preparation for her burial, was filled with mourners, very likely many of the people she had helped. Her charitable deeds among her people caused the enormous cry and prayers from the people. And God answered their prayers through the apostle Peter. And when she was brought back to life, the news raced through the town. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love and compassion, that I may do my charitable deeds from a pure heart devoid of any selfish motives, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29, 2020.

SUBJECT: DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS!

Memory verse: "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6 vs 37.)

READ: Matthew 7 vs 1 - 2; Luke 6 vs 37 - 38:

Matthew 7:1: Judge not, that ye be not judged.
7:2: For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Luke 6:37: Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven:
6:38: Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

INTIMATION:

To “judge” is to pass sentence, condemn, or punish. It’s to consider and form an idea. To criticize someone for doing wrong. Jesus’ statement, “Judge not,” is not to the right one has to form an opinion or to take notice of and help correct the wrong behavior of others. It is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up. One must always look at others with an attitude of love. The statement is not a blanket statement to overlook wrong behavior of others but a call to be discerning rather than negative. 

If we have all sinned, as the Scripture foretold (Romans 3 vs 23), why then do we have to be judgmental and condemning of others who sin. Whenever we find ourselves feeling justifiably angry about someone’s sin, we should be careful. We need to speak out against sin, but we need do so in a spirit of humility. Often the sins we notice most clearly in others are the ones that have taken root in us. If we look closely at ourselves, we may find that we are committing the same sins in more socially acceptable forms. For example, a person who gossips may be very critical of others who gossip about him or her.

The Bible in John 8 tells us the story of woman caught in adultery, and the Scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus, condemned her and judged her in accordance with the law of Moses, ready stone her to death. Jesus said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8 vs 7.) This is a significant statement about judging others. By saying that only a sinless person could throw the first stone, He highlighted the importance of compassion and forgiveness. When others are caught in sin, are you quick to pass judgement? To do so is to act as though you have never sinned. 

We are always likely to have hidden sin in our lives, sin we don’t even know about because God’s standards are so high and our performance is so imperfect. Therefore, why judge another? It is tempting to judge fellow Christians, evaluating whether or not they are good followers of Christ. But only God knows a person’s heart, and He is the only one with the right to judge. We are to confront those who are sinning, but we must not judge who is a better servant of Christ. 

When you judge someone, you invariably consider yourself better—and that is arrogant. It is God’s role to judge, not ours. Our role is to show forgiveness and compassion. The Bible says, “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14 vs 4.) We are all God’s servants. We are accountable to God only, especially in reference those things that deal with salvational matters. 

Examine your attitude and actions toward others. Do you build people up or tear them down? When you’re ready to criticize someone, remember God’s law of love and say something good instead. Saying something beneficial to others will cure you of finding fault and increase your ability to obey God’s law of love. How we long for fair treatment from others, but do we give it? We hate those who base their judgements on appearance, false evidence, or hearsay, but are we quick to judge others using those standards? 

The apostle Paul said, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself, for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2 vs 1.) This is a confirmation of what Christ said in Luke 6 vs 37 - 38. If we are critical rather compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, however, these qualities will come back to us in full measure, and may sometimes surpass ours. We are to love others, not judge them. The thrust of what Jesus stated in those verses is that we will be dealt with by God in the same manner by which we treat our fellow man. Therefore, when we measure mercy to others, God will in turn measure mercy to us. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love, that I may love others, and not be critical of them, treating others with compassion and care, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!