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Missing for a Year; What About Judgement?
Wow! it’s been over a year since adding a post. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been writing. Some of it is too long for here, and some is just incidental musings. But today I have an offering for consideration.
Judge Not, That You Be Not Judged
Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
This is an often quoted text by people who object to correction, or exhortation to change.
But I want to say that it is often loving to judge; when judged rightly.
To pass judgement, or to condemn is not the place of the individual Christian. However in relation to Church disciplinary action, for the purpose of (hopefully) change and restoration, judgement is sometimes necessary by the corporate gathering of the local Church.
As individuals we can judge rightly. Let’s substitute the word “assess” here instead of judgement. Doctors, teachers, employers all assess those with whom they are engaged, they judge the person’s condition or suitability.
So we are to rightly, and humbly, judge in the following ways:
- We judge teaching to see if it’s false or true.
- We judge dubious behaviour to decide whether or not we need to warn a brother or sister.
- But most of all, and it’s often the most contentious; we are to judge (not “pass judgement” upon) someone’s spiritual condition.
Paul teaches that leadership must be judged against qualifications (Timothy and Titus) for the sake of the local church.
A believer’s maturity needs to be judged in order to best help them to continue in discipleship.
Someone’s spiritual condition needs to be judged as to the fruit of salvation, otherwise if presumed to be a Christian wrongly, they will not be evangelised but left in delusion. How unkind is that?
So let’s stop with the supposedly pious “Thou shall not Judge” routine and acknowledge that we all need to judge at times.
But that judgement needs to be with grace, humility and love, lest we be judged accordingly.
For someone who is deliberately and consistently sinning; for false teaching; for putting into places of responsibility; and for those who display no indication of a changed life after “salvation”, the most loving thing to do is to judge their spiritual condition.
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Inclusiveness
Christianity is the most inclusive worldview.
“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.” (Romans 3:11-12)And:
” … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, … and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, …” (Romans 3:23-24)
This inclusiveness should have an immense humbling effect upon all to whom the mercy and grace of God has been extended through salvation in Jesus.
” … In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” … “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:4&6)
The Christian can have no pride in their status before the Holy God of creation, and should show enormous compassion and understanding to those to whom the same Grace has not yet been shown.
“There, but for the grace of God, am I.”
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Me and My Quiet Time.
I know that regular interaction with God and His Word are fruitful for Spiritual growth and well-being.
I have always struggled to have a formal ‘Quiet Time’. I will nod-off, get distracted, be in too much pain to sit at a table, or a multitude of other reasons.
I have never read through the Bible on a reading plan, but I have read all of the Bible.
This year I started a reading plan, determined to succeed. I made it through the Pentateuch and into the historical narrative. I was doing well.
Then I didn’t.
For one reason or another I ended up being three weeks behind.
The reason for writing this is not to ‘confess my sin’.
I’m writing to comment on my thoughts and feelings about being three weeks behind.
I know I’m saved by grace and not by works.
I know that works don’t endear me to God; I’m loved because I’m a son.
Never-the-less, I felt guilty for ‘falling behind’.
Our old nature is so wired to ‘reward-for-good-works’.
I have forty years of knowing God’s grace when I stumble or fall, but I still expect a ‘frown on His face’ because I’ve fallen behind in my Bible reading plan.
Then when I do read, I sometimes feel guilty for reading ahead, having been absorbed in the text. ‘I must stick to the plan’ … as if it’s authorative. How much does Law still grasp at my ankles to trip me up?
I don’t think that (before glorification) I will cease in the struggle between striving to conquer sin, and resting in grace; of knowing which battles to fight and which are already won.
I doubt that I am alone in this.
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Is Jesus Enough? … Really Enough?
The busyness of life has limited my writing. If that matters to you, I apologise. The following comes from a question the Lord has needed to ask me many times when I display covertness (equals idolatry) through my grumblings. “Is Jesus Enough?”
After being released from slavery, the people of Israel complained. They craved the foods of Egypt, the things of slavery, rather than being with their God in freedom. He was sustaining them to prepare them for life with Himself within the land of promise.
But they craved: ‘Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”’ (Numbers 11:4-6 ESV)
This life we now live is God’s preparation for our promised dwelling place, the New Jerusalem. In this life we are to learn to be satisfied in Him. As He did for Israel in the wilderness, Jesus goes with us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. All that we have, and all that we experience, is preparing us for the New Creation where Jesus will be our “All”.
Sadly, when I hear people (including Christians) speak of the New Creation, I hear descriptions that focus on that which they consider the best of life on earth. They talk of the best health, the best of leisure activity, luxury, and the greatest prosperity.
In essence, so many want to bring all of “Egypt” with them to Heaven. It appears that they do not think that the presence of Jesus will be enough to sustain them (let alone to delight them) throughout eternity. Like Adam, they think God is withholding something.
Surely this present life is the place to learn that Jesus is enough. If He’s not enough now; then will His presence be enough in Eternity. How many times did Jesus require followers to be ready to give up all for Him?
So many want Jesus as a compliment to the “leeks and garlic”. They say in their hearts: “Give me all of Egypt now, and all of the promised land in an instant, later; seamlessly”
I am concerned for those who despise the time in the wilderness, and clamour for the trappings of this life. Those who do not want Jesus above all else. There is another eternal dwelling made for those who reject Jesus.
‘Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.’ (Revelation 22:1-5 ESV)
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Politics!
OK, so let’s just jump in at the deep end.
I’ve been listening to the debate in Federal Parliament (Australia) during the week. And I’ll put it up front I’m a conservative voter, always have been, … but I’m not “glued on”.
The Conservatives in this country have an appalling attitude towards the poor, the widow and orphan, and the alien. This debate amplifies their attitude. Their only plan is to allow the “free market” to fix the problem by allowing the already-wealthy to increase their wealth through tenancy to the not-so-rich.
The Left side of the debate, our current Government, want to gamble on the markets to try to raise some money to do “something”, which will no doubt include great expenditure on consultation and bureaucracy.
Then there is the Far Left, those who are often very opposed to Christian values; but this week their leader made a speech promoting the most Biblical response to this issue.
In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, God commands His people to care for the poor, widowed, orphaned and the alien, … at their own expense. (e.g. James 1:27, Leviticus 19:33-35) For the Christian, it’s not the Government’s responsibility nor the Church’s responsibility (although corporately combining resources can be beneficial [2 Corinthians 9:1-5]) it’s an individual responsibility to do whatever is possible. Hospitality in scripture, does not mean going to a café with someone for lunch, or even having them to your home for a meal. No; hospitality meant meeting someone’s needs however you can, in your home. Hospitality is a measure of spiritual maturity (1 Timothy 3:2).
Australia is not a Christian nation, but if it was (and even now?) God is giving an opportunity for this nation to show His heart for the needy.
So let’s not say that one political party has a monopoly on “righteousness”, because there is only one righteous; the Triune God of Creation. In politics even the “ungodly” far Left can better-represent His heart on occasions.
Please make sure the stones are small and the tomatoes are not over-ripe so that they can be re-used (attempted humour).
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About My Mentors
I gave a list in my first post. This is an expansion from that list
Andre Van der Linden pastored my first Church. He instilled a reverence for God’s word and taught the primary Christian doctrines well and methodically.
Richard Holland was an exhorter. He pointed to a better way, a higher way. Whenever I went to him with a problem, his first concern was always “So, how’s your heart in all this?” By the time I left his company I would realise that God was most interested in changing me, not in me fixing others.
Arthur Wallis first impacted me through his books. His encouragement to holiness and the radical life of faith were formative. It was an indicator of Arthur’s humble ministry that saw him (as an in-demand conference speaker) change plans and divert to Australia, to spend time with a relatively small church in Melbourne and minister for a couple of week-ends. He always seemed to present as a man who loved the Church, in it’s various forms.
Chris Bowater’s music highlighted the need for abandonment before God in worship; that worship is about God not about me. It showed me that even my abandonment was achieved by God and not by my endeavour. While Chris’s music is great, he presented that it’s heart over substance that matters.
The memory of Milton Greenslade still brings tears to my eyes. A humble man, not a big achiever in man’s eyes but single-minded for Jesus. He personified faithfulness for me. Sadly I often heard him ridiculed in pastors gatherings (from which I subsequently withdrew), but I never heard him criticise another. He might humbly say he disagreed, but he would not criticise. Oh to be more like that!
Ray MacDonald taught me about loving the Church and loving the lost. He did not come with an “agenda” apart from this. Ray exemplified being a man who was comfortable in his calling. He seemed to have nothing to prove to the world, and was not threatened by those who were different or seemingly more “successful”. The “unlovely” felt safe around Ray.
Jiutasa Keni (known as Keni to most) was my closest brother for thirty-one years; his death closed an important chapter of my life. He built churches, restored damaged men, pursued the lost (both his indigenous Fijian brothers and Indian Fijians). Keni resourced Pastors for Gospel ministry, teaching them as they camped together in village settings or beach settings across the eastern islands of his Pacific nation. He remained humble and generous despite the “numerical success” of his ministry always remembering the Grace that saved him from wretchedness.
Siu Fung Wu taught me about Missions. I had supported cross-cultural missions but he gave me a framework on which to build. His teaching wasn’t just academic, he humbly lived it before those who would see. When I heard God’s call to the Koori community of East Gippsland, he was the first, and one of only a few, who encouraged me. Unlike some, he did not say “you can do better than that”. His own lifestyle showed that there is nothing better than simply obeying God.
Don Carson and Tim Keller have shaped me through their books and conference material. Don’s biography of his father is my favourite of his writings. For both men, there seems to be no pretence, no stage/pulpit persona that is different to “real life”. I so greatly appreciate the way they can make deep, complex issues plainly understood to the average “person on the street”.
Scott Sauls through books, blog and video has blessed me with his encouragement to simply be a Christian. He encourages me to not “window dress” to improve my image but to let the image of Jesus shine through the cracks of this broken vessel. I don’t have to have it all, because Jesus does.
I am grateful for these men, and for the many other people who God has put in my life to shape me, some come as oil; some as abrasive. All come as a gift, and all come for my good.
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First Post!
Greetings, and welcome to my new Blog.
Don’t expect great treatises, I will simply share some of my current Gospel thoughts or probe areas of Christian practice that may need some investigation.
I’ve had the privilege of relating to varied groupings within Christendom, and find it helpful to be aware of the differences, even those which might be disturbing, but fellowship where-ever Jesus is seen to be honoured.
I would like to start by honouring some of my mentors (face-to-face or through their writings). These people are not just friends or people with whom I agree, but people who challenged me to re-think my Christianity, and to change (for the better, I hope).
They are, in chronological order: Andre Van der Linden; Richard Holland; Arthur Wallis; Chris Bowater; Milton Greenslade; Ray MacDonald; Jiutasa Keni; Siu Fung Wu; Don Carson; Tim Keller and Scott Sauls.
I’m very grateful to these men, and others through whom God continues to do His sanctifying work.
I think that is sufficient for my first post. I’m grateful for you looking in.
The Lord bless you
Jeff
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About Me
I’m a ‘sort-of’ retired person who is a follower of Jesus. I don’t like brands and titles because they have varied meanings to different observers. I like to talk about the Good News of Jesus, and the Bible’s story of redemption.
East Gippsland Gospel 