Discipline: Judging
& Reproof
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He That Has Ears To Hear, Let Him Hear
(Matthew 11:15-30)
Challenging both secular wisdom and religious doctrines. - Will our descendants know moral virtue?
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Thursday February 09, 2012 01:13 PM -0500
Discipline: Judging
& Reproof
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24
Do not fall prey to those who say we are not to judge one another. How are Christians then called to "reprove the world of sin," to be the "salt of the earth" and the "Light of the World?"
"...they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other
scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16
Judge not, that ye be not
judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why behold you the mote
that is in thy brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?
Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye;
and, behold, a beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first cast out the
beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote
out of your brother's eye. Matthew
7:1-5 "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew
7:1) instructs us to judge carefully without hypocrisy, it does not say withhold
judgment. Jesus completes this by saying: "Hypocrite! First remove the plank
from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5) Jesus reaffirms this in John 7:24.
Imagine if Jesus, His Apostles, and Paul were apathetic and did not "reprove the
world of sin?" Yet this is what "Christians" are called to do. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
It is disobedient to preach only what our Lord said in John 3:16 and not include
what He said in the same breath through verse 21. Secular political correct
progressives have no foundation for how boundaries are to be established.
Instead they use the thus far successful, culture war plan of deflecting and
defaming. Instead of "We the people" being on the offensive, we've become "We
the sheeple," on the defensive, for fear of being falsely labeled intolerant or
haters. We've allowed the despicable to incorrectly use "do not judge" to
further their deviation.
John 3:19-20 - And this is the condemnation, that light
is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to
the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 16:8-11 - Nevertheless I tell
you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And
when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go
to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this
world is judged.
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
John 8:15
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the
flesh: 2 Corinthians 5:16a
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John
4:11
The Foundation:
But let him that glorifies glory in
this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am
the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in
the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah
9:24
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:5 While many can
quote what Jesus said in John 3:16, how many can quote what He said in the
same breath, up through verse 21? (See immediately below.) The moral
decline and resulting "culture wars" dividing America are a result of
preachers preaching "from their head and their heart" and neglecting to
preach what they were commissioned to preach - the Kingdom of God, the
Word of God, and their failure to reprove the world of sin. Therefore
people no longer go to church, they go to their government. Many
refer weakly to our Lord’s call to be “Salt and Light,” but without rebuke
or reproving the world of sin.
John 3:16-21 - For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son
into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes
not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come
into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither
comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does
truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they
are wrought in God. Nevertheless I tell you the
truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto
you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of
righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of
judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. John
16:8-11 Many are
“preaching”
1 Timothy 2 but not 2 Timothy 4. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 -
I charge thee therefore before God, and
the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing
and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Micah 3 - And I said,
Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel;
Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good, and love the evil;
who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their
bones; Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off
them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot,
and as flesh within the caldron. Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he
will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as
they have behaved themselves ill in their doings. Thus saith the LORD
concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their
teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that puts not into their mouths, they even
prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall
not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not
divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be
dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners
confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer
of God. But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of
judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to
Israel his sin. Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and
princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all
equity. They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for
hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon
the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem
shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of
the forest. Acts 4: 18-19 - And they
(Sadducees) called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach
in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto
God, judge ye. How polite was Jesus to those who would lead astray,
calling them "blind guides, full
of hypocrisy and iniquity,
serpents, generation of vipers, and how can ye escape the
damnation of hell?" Matthew 23 - Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to
his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the
Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe,
that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's
shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But
all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost
rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the
markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for
one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth:
for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for
one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your
servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall
humble himself shall be exalted. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go
in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a
pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make
one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell
than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say,
Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by
the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is
greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, Whosoever shall
swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever swears by the gift that is upon
it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the
altar that sanctifies the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, swears
by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, swears by
it, and by him that dwells therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, swears by
the throne of God, and by him that sits thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin (dill or fennel), and
have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these
ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which
strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but
within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first
that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean
also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto
white sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of
dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear
righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the
sepulchers of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers,
we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them
which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye
serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you
prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify;
and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from
city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the
earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of
Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you,
All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou
that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto thee, how often would
I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under
her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I
say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he
that comes in the name of the Lord. The sting of death is sin; and
the strength of sin is the law.
1 Corinthians 15:56 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at
Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount
Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. And he set
judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, And
said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the
LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 2
Chronicles 19:4-6 For there is no respect of persons
with God (Deuteronomy
10:17). For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish
without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the
law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of
the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law,
do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law,
are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their
hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean
while accusing or else excusing one another;) Romans 2:11-15
For whoever would keep the
whole Torah but would stumble in one thing, has become guilty of all. For the
One who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder:" but
if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a
transgressor of Torah. So you must continually speak, and so you must act as one
going to be judged through the law of freedom. For judgment without mercy is to
be given for the one who does not do mercy: mercy, full of glad confidence, has
no fear of judgment.
James 2:10-13 (
Power New Testament) Therefore, Jesus was saying to the
Jewish people who believed in Him, "If you would remain
in My Word, you are truly My disciples and you will know the truth, and the
truth will make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's seed
and we have never been slaves: how do You say that "You will become free?" Jesus
answered them, "I most definitely say to you that
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. And the slave does not stay in the
house forever, the son does stay forever. If therefore the Son would set you
free, you will truly be free." John 8:31-36
(Power
New Testament) He that has ears to hear, let him
hear....
A fool despises his father's instruction: but
he that regards reproof is prudent. Correction is grievous unto him that
forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die. A scorner loves not one
that reproves him: neither will he go unto the wise. A reproof enters more into
a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. When the scorner is punished,
the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. Proverbs 15:5,10,12,
17:10, 21:11 As stars can only be seen in a dark sky, a believer's Light should be seen by
those living in darkness.
But ye are a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth
the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
1 Peter 2:9 We have also a more sure word of
prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in
a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:19-21 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 Only let your conversation be
as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be
absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one
mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by
your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of
salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,
not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same
conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. Philippians 1:27-30 Do all things without murmurings and disputing: That ye may be blameless and
harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and
perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Philippians
2:14-15 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your
speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye
ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:5-6 You are the salt of
the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?
it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under
foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill
cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on
a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in
the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered
in the flesh has ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his
time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past
of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we
walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and
abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with
them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give
account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this
cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be
judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1
Peter 4:1-6 But love ye your enemies,
and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great,
and you shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful
and to the evil. Be therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be
condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given
unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,
shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal
it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:35-38 Judge not, that ye be not
judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why behold you the mote
that is in thy brother's eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?
Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your eye;
and, behold, a beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first cast out the
beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote
out of your brother's eye. Matthew
7:1-5 "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew
7:1) instructs us to judge carefully without hypocrisy, it does not say withhold
judgment. Jesus completes this by saying: "Hypocrite! First remove the plank
from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5) Jesus reaffirms this in John 7:24.
Judge not according to
the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24 He (Jesus) answered and said
unto them, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world;
the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of
the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end
of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are
gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The
Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom
all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a
furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the
righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears
to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:37-42 "And this is the
condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather
that light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that does evil hates the
light, and doesn't come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved."
John 3:19-20 The Christian's role is to be an ambassador
for the Kingdom of God which Jesus has established.
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise
as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 - But as it is
written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God has
revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things,
yea, the deep things of God. For what man knows the
things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of
God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have
received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God;
that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which
things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the
Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural
man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto
him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he
that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For
who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the
mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Dare any of
you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not
before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if
the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to
this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them
to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it
so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to
judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law with brother, and that
before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you,
because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do
ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud,
and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the
Spirit of our God. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that
believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them
that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be
come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in
those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned,
he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his
heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and
report that God is in you of a truth. 1 Corinthians 14:22-25 Ephesians 5:1-17
- Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as
Christ also has loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a
sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all
uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes
saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not
convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger,
nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the
wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers
with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord:
walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and
righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in
secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for
whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Wherefore he says, Awake you that sleeps, and arise from the dead, and Christ
shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as
wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise,
but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Blessed is the nation
whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
Psalm 33:12 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a
reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34
Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to
see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a
rebellious house. Ezekiel 12:2 And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and
will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary
themselves to commit iniquity. Your habitation is in the midst of deceit;
through deceit they refuse to know me, says the LORD. Therefore thus says the
LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for
the daughter of my people? Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaks
deceit: one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he
lays his wait. Shall I not visit them for these things? says the LORD: shall not
my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? Jeremiah 9:5-9
T
Salt & Light Dictates Reproof
The Law & Discipline
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chastens his son, so the LORD thy God chastens thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord the God, to walk in His ways, and to fear (respect) Him. Deuteronomy 8:5-6
Who gives rain upon the earth, and sends waters upon the fields: To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. He disappoints the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He takes the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong. They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night. But he saves the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stops her mouth. Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: Job 5:10-17
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs; O God, to whom vengeance belongs, show thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastises the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teaches man knowledge, shall not he know? The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastens, O LORD, and teaches him out of thy law; That thou may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be dug for the wicked. Psalms 94:1-13
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Proverbs 3:11-15
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Matthew 13:45-46For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, Hebrews 12:3-18
Judging & Reproof
You may also wish to reference:
Addressing
"Hate" -
Hate Crimes Legislation -
Christian Response to Gay
Marriage
Don't be fooled, Jesus DID NOT say we shouldn't judge. Jesus said we should judge without hypocrisy.
Imagine if Jesus and St. Paul did not reprove
the world of sin? Have you've been duped into the popular fallacy that we
should "judge not." Please read exactly what Jesus said in John 7:24. Why do
most stop reading John 3 after getting to John 3:16. What did Christ said
immediately after? Should we edit-out 2 Timothy 4 from our Bibles? Why is it
necessary for O'Reilly to write Culture Warrior
If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. Deuteronomy 25:1
On this account you are without excuse, O Man, everyone who judges: for by what you are judging the other, you are condemning yourself. For you, the one who judges, are doing the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth upon thse who perpetuate things such as these (Romans 1:24-32). Romans 2:1-2 (Power New Testament)
But if you would call yourself Jewish and would cause yourself to rest (lean) upon the Torah and to take pride in God then you know His will and since you are instructed in the Torah, you are testing the things that differ, holy and profane, and you have persuaded yourself to be a guide of the blind, a light for those in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, since you have the essence of the knowledge and of the truth in the Torah: then, why do you, the one who teaches another, not teach yourself? The one who preaches not to steal, are you stealing? The one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one who detests idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in Torah, you are dishonoring God by violating the Torah: for just as it has been written, "The name of God is being blasphemed among the heathens because of you." (Isaiah 52:5, Ezekiel 36:20). For what does it profit if the one hand you would practice Torah, in circumcision: if on the other hand you would be breaking Torah, Your circumcision has become uncircumcision? Romans 2:17-25 (Power New Testament)
See that no one will take you captive through
philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men,
according to the elements of the world, and not according to Messiah...
Colossians 2:8 (Power New Testament)
For a good tree brings not forth corrupt fruit; neither does a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of
thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good
man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and
an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is
evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Therefore I say this, and I bear witness in the Lord, that you no longer walk as
the heathens walk in the futility of their minds, since they have been darkened
by being in their understanding because they have been alienated from the life
of God through the ignorance which is in them, because of the insensibility of
their hearts, who, when they became callous, gave themselves over to
licentiousness in practice of every impurity, with a desire to have more.
Ephesians 4"17-19 (Power New Testament)
And the works of the flesh are apparent, which are immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery (and drugs), enmity, strife, jealously, anger, outbreaks of selfishness, dissentions, factions, envy, drunkenness (any intoxication), carousing, and like things. I tell you beforehand, just as I told you before, that the ones who are doing things such as these will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness self-control: there is nothing in Torah against such as these. Galatians 5:19-23 (Power New Testament & footnotes)
(See also
"Politically Correct")
Ye judge after the flesh; I
judge no man. John 8:15
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the
flesh: 2 Corinthians 5:16a
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John
4:11
Judge not according to
the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Timothy
4:1
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
If the church does not reprove the world of sin, of which politicians, and thus government consists, then are Christians who are called to be Ambassadors for Christ and the Kingdom of God compromising their calling?
What was the foundation upon which America's founders established this great republic? Was it not their Biblical worldview? Go ahead, Google any of the founders' names along with virtue (eg. "George Washington" + virtue) and you will quickly learn what our judges, school administrators, colleges, and politicians have thoroughly abandoned since 1947.
As long as Judeo-Christians remain silent and continue to be duped by The Big Lie of separation of church and state, America's moral decline will continue right along with that silence. More on this at: America's True Heritage & Separation of Church & State?
See also: Who Are You to Judge - By Coach Dave
"Turn the other cheek"
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other. Matthew 5:39. See also Luke 6:29.
Jesus said to "turn the other cheek" in reference to Scripture, as He did consistently.
He gives his cheek to him that smites him: he is filled full with reproach. Lamentations 3:30
They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. Job 16:10
As was the case when they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ...And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. Mark 14:53, 65
The word for "smite" is not in reference to a fist, as in war; but to an open hand, "slapping" someone in a mocking way as an insult. Notice the two Scripture references both used the word "reproach," as in defy or insult a person. This in no way reflects defending against a greater harm to yourself or in defense of others, as in war. It would be quite different if terrorists used slapping instead of deadly weapons.
From Strong's Concordance:
resist: G0436 - anthistemi -- pronounced: anth-is'-tay-mee from 473 and 2476; to stand against, i.e. oppose: KJV -- resist, withstand.
smite: rapizo - G3374 -- pronounced: hrap-id'-zo from a derivative of a primary rhepo (to let fall, "rap"); to slap: KJV -- smite (with the palm of the hand).
The difference between worldly wisdom
& spiritual wisdom
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John
4:11
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. John 8:15
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: 2 Corinthians 5:16a
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John 4:11
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
"If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19
"But God commends his love (agape) toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5).
When God looks upon us He separates us from our sin, He sees Christ in us, through the blood that Christ shed for us. Scripture says: Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: (2 Corinthians 5:16a). We are born again of spirit, not flesh. "The spirit of the man is the candle of the Lord, searching the inward parts of the belly." (Proverbs 20:27) - (See Trinity for how God created man in His image, a trinity.)
Thus, Christians, who have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Philippians 2:5), have compassion on the sinner while hating the sin because the Christian can separate the sin from the sinner. The natural man cannot grasp this. We judge no one, but discern and judge sin according to the Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12-13) Just as God forgives because that is His divine agape nature, we who are have the Spirit of Christ in us are partakers of that divine nature. (Romans 8, 2 Peter 1:4)
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserves the souls of his saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalms 97:10)
"Agape" love, or God's love cannot be grasped by the natural man. It can only be understood by the spiritual man, one who abides in Christ and Christ in him. (1 Corinthians Chapters 1 & 2, John 15)
Even God's Elect Will Be Deceived
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24
Do not fall prey to those who say we are not to judge one another. How are Christians then called to reprove the world of sin, to be the "salt of the earth" and the "Light of the World?"
"We can forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." Plato
Although many on the left, the biased media, education administrators, and politically correct, and socially "moderate" politicians have been duped by the likes of Kevin Jennings, Christians must continue to focus on the calling the Scriptures make clear.
Many have been deceived and conned by the misuse or misconstrued definitions of "discrimination, hate, tolerance, diversity, normal, bullying, morals, values, bigotry, and safety."
The culture wars can not be blamed solely on the left's immoral quest for uninhibited sex with anyone, including young children, and same-sex relationships, and criminalization of Judeo-Christian Biblical concepts and virtues. Christians, whether shepherds or layman must also take responsibility for having allowed this denigration into darkness. While there are organizations and Christians that have honored Christ's command to shine His Light and be the salt of the world, many Christian appear to be simply spectators, with no oil left in their lamps. This apathy has resulted in the myth of separation of church and state to become an unwritten law of the land. Yet, separation of church and state does not exist in America's Constitution or Bill of Rights. Worse still, it has allowed the likes of Kevin Jennings and GLSEN, under the guise of "safety" to dupe, and yes, deceive not only government-run school administrators, politicians (even "Christian" politicians), the "mainstream" media, Hollywood elites, and most disturbingly, many of God's elect as well.
The left has been successful in deceptively redefining words like "normal, bullying, morals, values, bigotry, hate, tolerance, safety, discrimination, and diversity," all in an effort to criminalize Christianity in the hopes of silencing God's elect completely. Without sufficient resistance, the left has advanced their agenda of obliterating America's foundation of "unalienable Rights" being "entitled" only if they do not violate "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God." The left prefers laws defined by the left and of the left, meaning anything goes to satisfy self-pleasing impulsive pleasures regardless of health risks and consequence, and where virtue is non-existent.
Thus as the majority of Christians remain silent, and parents like Brian Camenker and David Parker are too few, and most do not "gird up their loins" like men, the immoral agenda of the left meticulously proceeds. While our legislators, school administrators, the "mainstream" media, and Hollywood elites only hear from a minority of Christians, the majority on the left continue to dupe more and more of our children, and one can easily speculate what their future will entail, a society based on a "village" concept instead of the historical foundation based on the traditional family. For details, contemplate the state of children in the Netherlands.
Therefore, as a reminder of our Christian calling in Christ, hopefully the Word of God will encourage more of His followers to take up the Armor of God instead of being spectators in this culture war and make use of the "sword of the Spirit" to engage and confront the darkness that is permeating this nation.
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