Rebuking or Judging — What’s the difference?

 

In the NT when the disciples shared the Gospel message, they experienced varying reactions.  For instance, like Jesus, some were killed. Others experienced threats and ridicule. However…

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Telling others the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the most important thing all people need to know, but those who hear it may not think so. It means they must admit their sin and yield to the Lord. Pride hates doing that.

Resisting this message often translates into resisting the messenger. In this year alone, several thousand believers have died because of their faith in Christ. 

Not only that, I’ve noticed in my own life that the perception of what I am doing is not always in line with my reasons for doing it. The Bible says two things that seem contradictory without careful study. For some, it is more like “pick what suits you” than knowing what fits where. The two activities are judging and rebuking.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1–2)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. (Galatians 6:1–5)

Sometimes I judge people caught in sin because I want to look better in comparison. That is sin. In my heart, I know it. I’m not caring about the spiritual needs of that person, only my own reputation.

On the other hand, if someone is constantly falling into the same temptation, my heart goes out and I want to help them. I have to make sure I’m not guilty of the same thing or of any personal gain or glory. This desire to pick up another who stumbles is motivated by the love of Christ. It is a sacrificial love that cares because I know the harm done by any sin, theirs or mine. This may call for a private conversation, a gentle rebuke, or something stronger, but it is for their good and God’s glory, not about me at all.

Another issue is knowing if the person who sins should know better, or does know better. This makes a difference in how to talk to them. This could be compared to a small child who has never touched a hot stove, or has but wants to try again. Speak gently or yell, that is the question, but the motive remains — I don’t want that child to be injured.

Another issue is the attitude of that person who sins. Are they aware and brag about it? Or are they oblivious to cause and effect? Some have trouble connecting dots and need help. Some have trouble with self-sufficiency and boasting, maybe to hide a feeling of not having any value or being loved. Holy Spirit discernment is needed.

But Holy Spirit messages to me are not always heard by other people. I remember a pastor who made a decision and did not give his reasons to his congregation. I met with him and asked why this decision. He pounded his desk and said, “Because God told me to.” Since many Christians are suspicious of that reason, or do not listen for God’s voice at all, he knew his reason would not be accepted. He barely understood the why of it himself!

PRAY: Regarding judgment, we are called to love one another. I can rebuke to restore, which You do for me, but I cannot judge with a view to condemn. You died for sin and You alone are able to judge rightly. When I am annoyed or impatient with others, reveal it quickly that I might repent and instead love them, pray for them, and if I do or say anything, may it be as You would do or say it. Let me hear You clearly and not be concerned about any opinions that run contrary to what You say to me. Instead, give me confidence in Your instructions, and if none come, grant me the ability to keep quiet and wait on You, rather than take matters into my own hands.

Knowing not just knowing about. . . .

A few weeks ago, a woman sat with us during church brunch and asked me how I knew Jesus was real, and how I knew whether He had returned or not. For me, it was like she asked how I knew if my children are real, or my friends, or even her. She claimed to have visions of what God  is doing and asked questions about spiritual warfare. The next week, I loaned her a book on that topic, but haven’t seen her since. Interesting.

The philosophical questions about reality abound. How do we know what we know, and so on.  While some might dismiss this as silly speculation, the Bible makes it an important, even a key part of our existence, and about the way we live now and, and determines our destination. The OT says this:

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

God desires that my main passion in life is knowing Him and knowing what He is like and what He does. In His NT prayer, Jesus said this:

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

How do I  know that I know Him? It is by faith, a faith that affects me to the point that I must tell it to others, say it with my mouth. Not faking it, and not pretending in any way. It is a knowing that is difficult to explain for it is not like saying “I know my husband” or any other visible person. It is a knowing based on what the Word of God says:

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:8–13)

This hints at more than head knowledge. For example, I know who Donald Trump is, would recognize him if he walked by, hear all sorts of things about him, but I don’t ‘know’ him like I know Jesus. The Bible says that knowledge means I know His voice, have His mind and hear Him tell me what to do or not do. Knowing Him means intimacy. He gives me His love, peace, joy, and a desire to be like Him. And that is more evidence of the depth of this relationship:

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. (1 John 2:3)

While many doubt, or scoff, or even deny such a thing is possible, a few could see how Jesus makes a difference: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

PRAY: Jesus, today is one of those days where I feel totally unlike You, as if I’m more uneducated and common than bold. However, You are with me because You said so, not because I’m always aware or feel like it. Your word is far more reliable than my feelings. Because I know You and that You do what You say You will do, I walk into this day in confidence that knowing You is all that I need — and I can be all that You desire of me.

How to be salt and light?

This is an emotional day. We drive several hours to say goodbye to my first cousin. She died December 31, not unexpected, yet we were not ready for it. I’ve asked others to pray. We may be the only Christians at her funeral and want to be salt and light. Today’s devotional reading says this is possible:

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Yet is it boldness that gives others a vision of Jesus? He was bold. Or is it compassion? He wept with Mary when her brother died. Or is it His teaching? Or His patience? How do others see Jesus in His people?

Years ago, a woman made a statement about her desire to reveal Jesus to others. She was told by her friends, “When you try to be like Jesus, all we see is you, but when you are just yourself, we see Jesus.”

Experience interprets what she meant. Self-effort does not do it. Trying to be like Him is not role-playing. It is more like being transparent, open about who I am so that the One who lives in me can be seen. No layers. No pretense. No covering mistakes or shortcomings. Integrity, honesty, focused on others, not worrying or even trying to be what I think they want me to be. In short, being filled with the Spirit and not full of self.

This can be uncomfortable. Should that happen, the Spirit might be ignored and that salt/light thing does not happen.

Jesus preached in the Beatitudes about the things that can make me uncomfortable. It is not usually fun to mourn but He said “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” I’m convinced He was not talking about a funeral but about mourning over my sin. To do that, I must honestly admit that I sin.

He also tells me to be meek, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful, pure in heart and a peacemaker. These qualities are not normal human ambitions. The next one is even more so: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake… when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

That response from others could keep me hiding behind a layer of whatever it takes to make people like me, but Jesus says when persecution happens, I’m to “rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
After these words, Jesus then delivers this bottom line:

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:1–16)

So I want to be salt and light? Then I need to die to the old and walk in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, no matter what He asks of me and without any hesitation or resistance. I’m not to focus on my comfort — just trust Him to take care of it, and aim for His glory, not my own. Be myself? I’m certain that quote meant that I be an open book. A book left closed, even if it has a lovely cover, means no one can read the truth that is in it.

PRAY: Jesus, You are able to reveal Yourself in all sorts of ways. I could back into a corner and see what happens, but that is tossing salt to the wind and covering light with a basket. I’ve no idea what You plan to do today, but if it involves me, how can I not be willing? The timing of this devotional for this day is no coincidence. You always know what I need to hear from You and when I need to hear it.

God’s surprises . . .

 

This past year, God has amazed me several times. The stories are long but involve Him showing His love and power to family and friends. As positive as those experiences were, God’s ability to astonish is not always pleasing:

2 Chronicles 7:19–22. “But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will pluck you up from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore he has brought all this disaster on them.’ ”

The OT word used above means ‘appalled and in fear by the actions of God’ against human rebellion. No wonder insurance companies and victims in hurricanes and other ‘natural’ disasters call them “acts of God.”

However, this same English word is used in the OT to describe the reaction of King Nebuchadnezzar when he saw four men in the fire instead of the three he had tossed into the furnace, and the astonishing rejection of God predicted by Daniel, and to predict the reaction of people seeing the marred form of Christ.

It is used later in the NT to tell of the astonishing reaction of the crowds and even His disciples to the teaching of Jesus. Some examples:  

Matthew 7:28. “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching.”

Matthew 13:54. “And coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?’”

Matthew 19:25. “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ ”

Mark 7:37. “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’ ”

These and many other verses tell how Jesus greatly amazed people by what He said and did. They were astonished because “His words possessed authority” and the things He did were beyond anything they had ever see before. This astonishment carries on after Jesus returned to heaven. When His disciples spoke and acted, they also caused the same reaction because what they did was attributed to the Lord:

Acts 4:13. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Acts 13:12. “Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”

GAZE AT HIS GLORY. One aspect of faith is the ability to be amazed. It seems odd to trust God entirely, believing nothing is too hard for Him, and yet at the same time be startled, even astonished when something happens that makes me say “only God” because there is no other explanation. He enables a congregation to pay off a huge debt in a brief time. When seriously needed, He put a note in a man’s car that said, “You are cherished.” He motivated a woman to do the oddest thing that kept their vehicle from rolling off a road. He astonishes me at three funerals last week when in the midst of sorrow, He gave comfort and even joy. He lifts my burdens, puts unexpected songs in my heart, gives me solutions to what seems like unsolvable problems. He uses trials for my good. He answers specific prayer for specific needs in unexpected ways. Lest I think that God does not care or has no imagination, He keeps filling my life with surprises and knows how to astonish me with His incredible love and attention. He can do “exceedingly abundantly above all I ask or think.” Thank You Jesus.