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Introduction
I don’t merely wear the label “Christian” and yes, by that, I am saying that there are many Christians who are just wearing labels, but inwardly are not what they claim to be, that is, genuine followers of Jesus. If you think I am judging and therefore a bad Christian, let’s have a look at some Scriptures about judging others.
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:1-5 (NASB)
Many are quick to point out that Jesus tells us not to judge others but forget to look at everything else that follows. Jesus doesn’t want us to be hypocritical in our judgement, that is, judging others when our own lives are not being lived in accordance with His Word. On the contrary, Jesus tells us that when the log in our eye is out, we are able to remove the speck from the eyes of others. When we are in right relationship with Jesus, we are walking in accordance with the Spirit and with the help of the Spirit, we are able to help others so that they will have a better relationship with Jesus and be blessed, not condemned by our judgement of them.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)
Notice what the Apostle Paul is telling Timothy about God’s Word? When we surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and let Him work in us, He will do many things through us, including teaching, rebuking, correcting and training others!
My Calling
I firmly believe that the LORD has called me to be a shepherd that teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains, not my personal gain or for boasting, but to see people find salvation in Jesus and to see God’s Kingdom expand. At this time, I don’t see a church calling me to be their pastor but whether or not that happens, God wants to me boldly proclaim His Word, confront false teachers and churches, all the while pointing people to Jesus and their need for salvation in Him!
Jealous for God
While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry against Israel. The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you slay his men who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor.”
Then behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his relatives a Midianite woman, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the doorway of the tent of meeting. When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he arose from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand, and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman, through the body. So the plague on the sons of Israel was checked. Those who died by the plague were 24,000.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’”
Numbers 25:1-13 (NASB)
I want to be like Phinehas, a shepherd jealous for My God, upholding Jesus and defending Him always (especially from those who claim to be His followers but are peddling Him/His Word for personal gain), no matter what anyone thinks of me or says about me.
Defending God
God/Jesus isn’t a weakling in need of defense, rather, He is my God and my King and I owe Him everything! Therefore, out of love for Jesus and what He has done for me (Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23) and because God is my Father (Romans 8:16), I will not sit quietly when others are mocking Him and making a mockery of God! If you think I am judging, then so be it because God knows my heart and He knows why I do what I do.
Warning from God
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NASB)
God has already warned us in the Bible that the time will come when those who profess to be Christians will chase after fairy tales instead of the Truth of the Word of God and I fear that time is already here. I will not sit by idly while false prophets, ferocious wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15), are leading people astray by telling them what they want to hear, as opposed to preaching and teaching them the Truth of God!
Don’t believe me? Perhaps you will heed this warning from Jesus Himself!
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB)
Do you understand the gravity of what Jesus is stating here? If Jesus doesn’t know you, nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter what position you held in church. It doesn’t matter how well you performed in the worship band. It doesn’t matter how many ministries you served in the church. It doesn’t matter how many mission trips you went on. It doesn’t matter how many books you authored or how many conferences you headlined. Am I saying that good works is irrelevant? Not at all. I am in total agreement with James on this matter (James 2:14-26). We are not saved/justified by our works but our works was planned by God (Ephesians 2:10) and comes to pass when we submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit who came upon us when we confessed and believed in Christ (Romans 10:9-10)! When it comes to faith and works, there is no contradiction in the Bible as some might argue.
Conclusion
Irrespective of what anyone thinks of me, whether it be good thoughts or bad, I know where I stand in light of God’s Word and the faith He has gifted me with (Romans 12:3). If people (be it other Christians or unbelievers) think that I am judging because I have pride and I am arrogant, I can’t help it. I know I am not judging but exercising discernment with the wisdom God has given me.
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:8-10 (NASB)
That’s how I see myself, as someone who needs Jesus every moment, utterly weak on my own, but unbelievably strong in Christ.
Totally dependent on the Holy Spirit, I strive to be a disciple of Jesus every day (Matthew 16:24), longing to live for Him and die in Him (Philippians 1:21) and fully entrusting myself to Him, sin and all.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
God bless you.
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Thank Sri 🙂
As you, I was born a Hindu. I became an atheist in my teenage years, had a powerful religious experience, became a Christian, then a Catholic, then a traditionalist Catholic, then a schismatic, and now a Catholic again. I am in the process of recording my journey, but it is long.
You look like a man hungry for truth and zealous for the faith just like me. I implore you to learn the history of the Christian religion. From historical sources you can see that the true Church is the Catholic Church. From the accounts of Christians living in the Apostolic Age, we see that they believed in Catholic teachings and practices. The Church started when Holy Spirit descended on Pentecost. It wasn’t until the 16th century until Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to a Church door. That’s a 15 century gap. Furthermore the scriptures calls the Church, not itself, the pillar of truth. Scripture is necessary but insufficient. There is also Sacred Tradition and Teaching Authority. In the book of Peter we are warned that some people might misread Paul’s epistles. Unless there is a teaching authority, every man decides for Himself what is Christian and claims the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which exemplifies itself in Protestantism.
Please, if you do study these things, do not be scandalized by the evil things members of the Church have done. The wheats and the tares will both be in the field until the time of the harvest.
Hello.
Before I comment, can you please provide Scripture references to these statements you make.
1) “Furthermore the scriptures calls the Church, not itself, the pillar of truth.” – This contradicts what Jesus said in John 14:6 where He declares that He is THE TRUTH.
2) “Scripture is necessary but insufficient.” – This again contradicts what God says in His Word in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, not to mention the fact that John 1:1 declares that Jesus is the Word, which would mean your statement implies He is insufficient, which then causes the Christian faith to fall apart.
Also, where in Scriptures is “Sacred Tradition” given emphasis?
Sri