Lawful Judgement

On the subject of judgment, I’m sure you’ve heard -like I’ve heard- Matthew 7:1 quoted countless times (“Judge not, that ye be not judged”), often a misuse of the Word out of a fear of conviction (Jn 3:20).  Personally, I’ve always despised the ‘everything’s alright’ attitude, and viewed the lack of accountability associated with it as cowardly.  Of course, the hypocrisy in scolding someone for what is viewed as judgment is that the person scolding is an act of judgment. Also, forming a positive opinion -if misappropriated- is just as judgmental as forming a negative opinion (Isa 5:20-21).  It can be just as damaging.  Surely, hypocritical, perverse judgment and acting in fear is contrary to everything the Bible teaches us. 

The Bible tells us, in fact, that this God-breathed word is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Ti 3:16; Lk 6:45).  Let’s be clear:  Speaking God’s word, in a spirit of love, with the purpose of teaching rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness is not judgment on the part of the one speaking.  If there be any judgment made after the Word is spoken, then it’s by the Word, not the person speajking the Word.  The individual chooses to make biblical scripture either a cornerstone or stumbling block (1 Pe 2:7-8).    

Understanding leads to discernment, which is a form of judgment. 

understand - (trans. v.) 1.a. to grasp the meaning of  b. to be thoroughly familiar with the character and the propensities of  2. to accept as a fact or truth or to regard as plausible without utter certainty

discern - (v.) to separate, distinguish between  (trans. v.) 2. to recognize or identify as separate and distinct; discriminate <discern right from wrong> :  to see or understand the difference

judge – (trans. v.) 1. to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing premises  2. to sit in judgment on; try  4. govern, rule – used of a Hebrew tribal leader  5. to form an estimate or evaluation of; especially to form a negative opinion about  8. to hold as an opinion

We see in scripture that God wants us to have understanding and discernment (1Jn 4:1).  God places the importance of godly wisdom and understanding so high that we’re to obtain it, even if it costs us everything! (Pr 4:7; 3:5-6; 2:6)  Solomon was commended and rewarded for asking for a discerning heart for the purpose of leading God’s people correctly (1Ki 3:9-15; Kings, leaders, and judges are synonymous.  In this context of leadership -which all Christians are, in one way or another- the first, second, and fourth definitions of the word ‘judge’ apply.)  The entire book of Proverbs is basically God’s plea to the individual to gain knowledge, understanding, discernment, wisdom, and good judgment (Pr 1:5; 8:9; 10:13; 14:6).  It’s for us to understand what’s right, just and fair (Pr 2:9; Ro 12:2).  Without it, there is no sanctification for the believer, hope for the sinner, or glorification to our Master.  Without this understanding how can we be good stewards over the things God has entrusted to us:  jobs, children, money, and our very lives?  Jesus even gives us one basis for excommunication in Matthew 18:15-20, which is , no doubt, be an act of judgement.  How can we be the light to a dying world if we don’t distinguish right from wrong as scripture itself does? 

So, what does it mean when Jesus tells us not to judge? Verse 1 in Matthew chapter seven is the first in a lesson by Jesus on judgment that numbers to verse 6.  Unfortunately though, verse 1 is often used out of context, so the meaning is lost.  He goes on to explain that one can’t judge properly, wisely, or fairly if they are judging hypocritically.  You know?  Get right, so you can see right.  True indeed, no one's perfect, but a repentant, spiritually mature individual who has a heart to do things God’s way (according to the Word) is equipped to make sound judgment.     

(Suggested reading:  ‘Is It Right to Judge?’ by:  James L. Melton at www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/Judging.html)

God Is Patient

It’s no surprise that as I pray to be more patient, God presents me with opportunities to cultivate patience in my character, by way of people who try my patience, as well as situations that require me to wait for a change after I’ve done my part. (I’ve concluded that a lot of the time after you’ve done everything you can do under your own power, you’re to pray and wait.)  Yes, God has a sense of humor, indeed.  And he is an answerer of prayers.

Patience is a godly trait, as love is patient, and God is love (1 Co 13:4; 1 Jn 4:16).  And we’re encouraged to be godly (Ti 2:11-15).  So my prayer is:

‘Lord, help me to be wise and patient, overlooking offenses. 

Help me to have persuasive patience.  Let me value patience over my own pride. 

I pray that I be an imitator of you Lord, showing kindness, tolerance, and patience that others may see you in me and be lead to repentance.  And I thank you Lord God for showing me the same grace and mercy! 

Although my anger might be justified, Lord let me keep from showing my wrath, as you do.

I know that I show myself to be your child when I’m understanding, patient and kind.

Lord, help me to work out my salvation so that I may reap the fruit of the Spirit, of which patience is a part.

I pray -as Paul did for the church in Colosse- that all believers be strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might that we may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to you the Father, who’s qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints.

I pray that I clothe myself in patience daily as one of your chosen Lord God.   

Lord, I know that I’m always in danger of becoming lazy and falling away from the body, so bless me with a mind to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what you’ve promised; examples like your prophets who spoke in your name Lord.

Yes, the patience of the Lord means salvation, and I thank you again Lord God for your patience that has lead me to salvation!  Help me to reflect your patience Lord!  These things I pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.’

(Pr 19:11; 25:15; Ecc 7:8; Ro 2:4; 9:22; 2 Co 6:6; Ph2:12; Gal 1:11; 3:12; Heb 6:12; Jas 5:10; 2 Pe 3:15)

Get Understanding Pt. 1: Wives

What inspired my question from last week was the somewhat common assumption that the verse, ‘He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord’, means that it’s God’s desire that a man seek a wife if he’s to have one (Pr 18:22).  And I think it’s safe to say that we often have assumptions and preconceived notions based off of everything from popular opinion, to tradition, and our own selfish thoughts.  But while addressing this assumption the Holy Spirit gave me Proverbs 4:7, which reads, Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:  and with all thy getting get understanding (KJV).  I looked at several Bible versions of this scripture and they all stress the difference between simply acquiring knowledge and gaining understanding (or wisdom, or judgment).  A parrot can be trained to repeat biblical scripture, but they have no understanding of what they’re saying.  Understanding of God’s word is the principal thing.  And preconceived notions can be -no are- a hindrance of our understanding of God.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”, declares the Lord (Isa 55:8).         

A few more questions concerning Proverbs 18:22 though; does it suggest that:         

1.  …all wives are a good thing?

2.  …an unmarried man has not received favor from the Lord?

3.  …if a man is to receive a wife, he is to seek her?

1.  A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones (Pr 12:4).  The NIV note on this verse says that a good example is Ruth (Ru 3:11), who is described as having noble (def.  possessing outstanding qualities; arising from superiority of mind or character or of ideals or morals [m-w.com]) character (def.  attributes or features that makeup or distinguish an individual; the complex mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person; the usual qualities or traits [m-w.com]).  And such a woman is fully described in the popular Pr 31:10-31, which is titled in many Bibles ‘Epilogue:  The Wife of Noble Character’.  A wife of noble character brings her husband honor and joy.  Like wisdom -and because of her wisdom- she will set a garland of grace on her husband’s head and present him with a crown of splendor (Pr 4:9). 

Contrasting the wife of noble character is the disgraceful (def.    dishonorable; shameful; lacking merit, a good name, respectful, integrity, or purity [m-w.com]) wife who saps the very strength of her husband.  She’s described as a decay of his core!  Proverbs 19:13 reads, ‘a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping’.  Stirring up dissension is condemned throughout Proverbs (NIV note).   

So, surely, not all wives are of God, and not all wives are good.  Proverbs 19:14 specifies by saying, ‘a prudent wife is from the Lord’.  And most notably the contrasting of the two types of wives puts the cultivation of character in the wife’s hand.  She decides what type of wife she’ll be.  

2.  The Bible has many instances where favor is given apart from having a wife.  Abel was looked on with favor from God because he dedicated his best to him (Ge 4:4).  God looked on Noah and Mary with favor because of their godly lives (Ge 6:8-9; Lk 1:30).  God looked upon Israel with favor because of their obedience (Lev 26:1-13).  We receive favor as God’s fellow workers (2 Co 6:2).  The righteous are granted favor (Ps 5:12). To find wisdom is to find life and favor (Pr 8:35).  That last verse is from Proverbs chapter eight, which in my Bible is titled ‘Wisdom’s Call’.  And I as I wrote earlier, the desirable wife is characterized by wisdom, so to find a wife, such as this is to find favor.

3.  Based on my understanding of Proverbs 8:35, and the other reference verses from this post, I’ve come to the conclusion that Proverbs 18:22 might suggest that a potential bridegroom should be the one to actively seek the wise and prudent wife that God desires him to have.  That’s if God has called him into the covenant of marriage.  I’ll also point out though that the use of the word ‘man’ in the Bible is often in reference to mankind, or any person who has reached adulthood.  Surely God encourages women to also acquire wisdom.  And surely many of the qualities used to describe the noble wife are also to be found in a noble husband (wisdom, prudence, shrewdly managing the affairs of the household, enterprising, diligent, etc.).  So Proverbs 18:22 may very well be interpreted as, ‘whoever finds a prudent spouse finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord’. 

Those Who Wait

As much as I like blogging, starting next week I’ll post only once per week, as I have other priorities that require more of my attention.  But considering I’ve been posting three times a week for about three months, I have quite a few posts in my archive.  So, I’ll encourage readers read them and comment on them still.

There are many benefits to being patient, which is something I’ve been struggling with lately.  My grandmother suggested I write a blog entry on this topic every week.  We have encouragement through scripture in patience, as well as restoration through patience.  And patient people promote peace and enjoy harvest (Pr 15:18; Isa 40:31; Ro 15:4; Jas 5:7-8).

We should be patient because it’s commanded (Mt 22:37-39; 1 Co 13:4; Ro 12:12; 1 Th 5:14).  It shows trust and wisdom (Ps 40:1-4; Pr 19:11).  And God himself demonstrates patience (1 Ti 1:16; Nu 14:18).  Thank you for it Lord!  The hope Christians have is a byproduct of salvation (Ro 8:24-25,NIV note on v. 24).  Although we may experience momentary discouragement, a person who is saved is never hopeless, and doesn’t live a life that is characterized by hopelessness. So patience during suffering must also result.

In Hebrews 6:12, faith, patience, and the inheritance of the promise is juxtaposed with laziness.  Faith and patience are not passive, but active (see also Heb 7; Jas 2:17).  Faith must be proven by action.  Just as the farmer waits for the land to yield its crop, he continues to tend to the land and provide a healthy environment where crops will flourish (Jas 5:7-8).  And see how grumbling and complaining are also counter-productive and not indicative of one who is saved.  Complaining brings about judgment, not a harvest (Jas 5:9).  Bless us Lord!  Patience is also juxtaposed with pride (Ecc 7:8).  Patience says wait on the Lord.  Have wisdom and trust.  Recall past victories.  Surely God has even greater in store!  Pride says, do things your own way.  It ain’t comin’ fast enough.  And don’t you know that God will not reward impatience (Heb 11:6)?   

The things that I believe God want for me require me to be patient and faithful and work as one who is waiting for a promised harvest, not work as one who’s at it all alone.  My promise is in the seed of God’s word, not manmade devices!