Judging — in front of a mirror. . . .

 

Christians have a saying about judging others. It goes something like this: Don’t point fingers at others without remembering that three other fingers are pointing back at you. It comes from this passage:

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:1–4)

I’ve said it. I’ve thought it. I’ve sometimes noticed it is true — for others, but not often for myself. Our small group study is going to look at Romans 2 tonight and in preparing for it, I note the first four questions asked are about the above passage. God is telling me to give this much more consideration than usual.

For instance, think about the people or actions those people do that annoy me. God suggests that I do the same things? Actually, that makes sense. How would I even be aware of these annoying things if I didn’t recognize them when I look in the mirror? And if I made a list, would it take up far many pages than I’d like to admit? Another thought: if I’m seeing my sin in others, this could be part of the reason Jesus isn’t focusing on my sin (that’s the Holy Spirit’s job) because He is not guilty of the same sin!

In the past year, I have met some Christians who talk (and laugh) more about their mistakes than their accomplishments. They hardly speak of successes and when they do, credit is never taken. Instead, they thank others and God for whatever worked out goodness in their own lives often the mistakes. These people are wonderful to be around. No judging in their conversations. If they have any bad habits, I don’t see them which is a relief because if I did, this passage from Romans says I only see it because I do the same things. It is good to associate with those who are humble.

This reminds me of yesterday’s post about a person who has lied to herself. I’ve wondered if this is a constant issue, or is God telling me that I’m frustrated because I am also slow or reluctant to admit my own mistakes? I know when I err in minor chores or in sewing a quilt, I often say, “Oh, you dummy” and yet that is about as far as it goes. My new friends would say that about their mistakes and then laugh. They have learned from God what Paul learned after he asked God to remove a problem . . . .  

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

I tend to keep wanting the problem removed instead of glorying in the weakness it displays. I might even point my finger at someone with a stronger problem so mine doesn’t get noticed. This is why God says not to assume that I will escape God's correction (a form of judgment) for in His rich kindness and forbearance and patience He intends to lead me to repentance. He wants all my finger pointing done in front of a mirror. 

PRAY: Father, I feel the sting of being so proud of me without realizing how that produces behaviors that are nothing to be proud about. I can make excuses, even call myself a dummy, but that kind of talk is not the same as repentance. You now remind me that my own father  disciplined me for a short time, but always for my good, and You do the same that I may share Your holiness. Yes, for now it seems painful rather than pleasant, but You promise that this means later it will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness when I have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:10–11) For this I am thankful.

God is not hiding

 

 

READ 2 Timothy

We once had a pastor who occasionally joked that he didn’t spend all his time in the Bible because, “What I don’t know won’t convict me.” Perhaps this was his way of rebuking professing Christians who only opened their Book Sunday mornings or who never bothered to dust it off even on that day.

Yesterday, we chatted with a couple. I can’t remember what prompted it but one of them said, “It’s a good thing that God never tells us what He is doing.” While that is often the case, this verse popped into my mind:

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

God wants to reveal Himself to us — which He did in the written Word and in Christ. He also wants us to know all that we need so we can live for Him. If I make any excuse to avoid the Bible or think He hides His will, then I could miss His purpose for my life:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

In other words, how can I grow to be like Jesus or do the will of God if I avoid the very means by which God reveals my sin and cleanses it? How can I know His will if I assume He will not direct me? How can I behave appropriately and in ways that glorify Him if I think everything He wants done is mysterious and hidden? If He is silent about everything, I’m left to my own devices. If He gives only general directions, how can I know His specifics when confronted with daily challenges?

Today’s reading adds a few thoughts about what God reveals. One of them is that through others, He shows me how to live, either by their example or by their words of instruction:

For instance, Timothy did what He saw Paul do, knowing that this man’s life was wholly given over to do the revealed will of God. Paul commended this pastor for following “my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness” (2 Timothy 3:10) — all things God revealed to him. Paul needed conviction and direction to fit into the Lord’s plans and do His work His way. He also needed both so he could teach others what God revealed. One example:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:1–4)

Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4) That means it is our daily food! Without it, I would shrivel and be spiritually ill.

The Lord impresses me with this verse: “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Timothy 2:7) Thinking over the Word of God is a challenge. It is easier to not bother but it is also easy to forget what I do hear. One pastor said that too many people come to church with an empty thimble, get it filled from God’s Word, then spill it all on the way out the door. Another pastor prays, “Lord, heal my amnesia.” I pray that too.

God’s goal is to transform me into the image of His Son. For that to happen, He needs to expose and remove everything that is not like Jesus and add in all that is like Him. These changes happen through the power of His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit — and my cooperation to read it and obey Him. No excuses.

God “disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:10–11) Instead of hiding behind any ideas that He will not speak, or that conviction is to be avoided, seeking God’s thoughts is vital.

This morning, I feel weary, even angry and sad at the way goodness is often mocked and the name of Jesus is used to curse rather than uplift. I want to see God do astonishing things in my life and in the lives of others. Lord, deepen my understanding and reveal to me whatever You want me to see . . . and also reveal Yourself and whatever You want others to see. May Your glory become so evident that our hunger for You overrides the challenges that seeing You might bring.

 

Dealing with the Consequences of Forgiven Sin

2 Samuel 14; Psalm 68; Ezekiel 21; 2 Corinthians 7

Yesterday was difficult, spent in discouragement and depression. God gave me a shock, an unexpected look at my life only seeing all the things I’ve done wrong, the failures, sins and selfishness. I know that He forgives and forgave, yet the sense of being useless to Him was overwhelming.

I went to bed with tears yet surprisingly fell asleep instantly. This morning, I didn’t want to get up. The above Bible readings didn’t say anything except to remind me of God’s forgiveness of David’s sin but the warning of consequences. All that did was point me to the consequences in my life of being selfish, full of pride and not obeying God.

Thankfully, years ago the Lord allowed me a computer program called Logos. It comes with a supply of books and allows word searches. I typed in “consequences of sin” and found a quote in a book by John Piper. The book is called “A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All Life” and chapter 88 is entitled “Consequences of Forgiven Sin.”

God used the following to encourage me. Piper begins with 2 Samuel 11–12, the story of David’s sin against Uriah (murder) and Bathsheba (adultery) and God’s response. I’ve shortened this excerpt slightly.

“David acknowledges that the one who has done such a thing deserves to die (2 Samuel 12:5), but in the end Nathan says, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” This is amazing grace. God passes over the sin and takes away the penalty of death.

“Although the sin is forgiven and the death sentence removed, Nathan says, “Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child that is born to you shall die.” In spite of forgiveness, some “penalty” for the sin remains. I put penalty in quotes because I think we must distinguish the consequences of forgiven sin from the consequences of unforgiven sin. The latter are properly called penalties; the former we should probably call “disciplinary consequences.” That is, they are related to the sin, and they reflect the displeasure of God for the sin, but their aim is not retributive justice. They are not part of condemnation. The aim of the consequences of forgiven sin is not to settle the accounts demanded by a just penalty.

“That’s what hell is for. There is a judgment whose purpose is to vindicate the right by paying back the wrong, and thus establishing equity in God’s kingdom of righteousness. This is done on the cross for those who are in Christ, and it is done in hell for those who are not. The curse that we deserve came down on Christ at the cross if we trust in him, but it comes down on our own heads in hell if we don’t. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). If he passes over sins and treats them, as he did with David, as though they are not worthy of punishment, that is only a merciful delay in the retribution. Either it will be made right in the cross, as Paul says so plainly in Romans 3:25, or it will be settled in “the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5).

“But the aim of God-sent consequences of forgiven sin is not to settle accounts demanded by the penalty of justice. The aims of the God-sent consequences of forgiven sin are: (1) to demonstrate the exceeding evil of sin, (2) to show that God does not take sin lightly even when he lays aside his punishment, and (3) to humble and sanctify the forgiven sinner.”

APPLY: I know the evil of sin; this drives me to prayer for sinners every day. I also know that God does not take sin lightly; I see it in my own life and much more in the crucifixion of His Son. From Piper’s explanation, I realize that the pain I feel about all the times I’ve acted selfishly and ignored God is not a penalty but a necessary stage in growth; He wants me to be more like Jesus. As Piper says, His purpose is not to penalize, but to purify.

“He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:10–11).

Finally, Piper points to a current “imbalance of emphasis on the Father’s forgiving tenderness to the exclusion of the Father’s forgiving toughness” that leaves people without a way to handle these consequences. He writes, “By the power of truth and the Spirit, we must learn to revel in the grace of God, the forgiveness of sins, the hope of glory, and the joy of the Lord at the very same time that we are suffering from the consequences of forgiven sin. We must not equate forgiveness with the absence of painful impact.”