Thou Shalt Judge

Jesus commanded men to judge rightly and He told them to “judge not.”>>>>>>>>>>   Did the Lord contradict Himself? Or does the Bible say more about judging than the general public realizes? Jesus repeatedly taught men to judge rightly, insisting they “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24) and He praised a man who “rightly judged” (Luke 7:43). Paul shamed the Corinthian Christians because no one among them was willing to “judge the smallest matters” (1 Cor. 6:2). As the Apostle wrote, “He who is spiritual judges all things” for “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:15‑16).>>>>>>>>>>   Where did we get the notion that men should never judge? Should child-molesters escape condemnation? Should rapists be free from criticism? Should society refrain from judging those arrested for murder? And why would anyone judge others for judging? A lie has paralyzed the Church.>>>>>>>>>>   God warns against “hypocrisy” commanding men to “abhor what is evil” (Rom. 12:9). Yet to abhor evil, someone must first judge evil. Thus, unable to judge, large numbers of Christians become hypocrites by obeying the Hypocrites Golden Rule. Since the hypocrite doesn’t want to be judged, he judges not, as Jesus said, “Judge not… you hypocrite” (Mat. 7:1, 5 KJV; Ezek. 16:52). For “judge not” (Mat. 7:1-5) is simply a hypocrites application of do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Mat. 7:12). “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged” (Mat. 7:2). Judge others as you would have them do unto you inverted is Judge not if you do not want to be judged.>>>>>>>>>>   Christ kept repeated this theme in His ministry. “Hypocrites,” Jesus said, “why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?” (Luke 12:56‑57). Still, His own followers have mostly ignored the Lord’s harsh rebuke: “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to [judge, i.e., to] remove the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Mat. 7:5). “Judge Not” is the Hypocritical Oath.>>>>>>>>>>   “Judge Not” is hypocrite haven. He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones. Such Christians should relocate. They should move into “the temple of the great God… being built with heavy stones” (Ezra 5:8).>>>>>>>>>>   Hollywood, liberals, and Homosexuals repeat the phrase like a mantra, judge not, judge not, judge not, until the masses are mesmerized. Jesus did not intend this.>>>>>>>>>>   Scripture deals with topics that range from simple to advanced truth. Milk is for babes in Christ; meat is for men of God.>>>>>>>>>>   The question of whether or not Christians should judge is milk. It is preschool. The newest believer taught any of a hundred passages would immediately understand that he must judge. Judging others is fundamental. It is not a difficult concept and should in no way be controversial.>>>>>>>>>>   “Everyone who partakes only in milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe” (Heb. 5:13). The Church, today lactose intolerant, has trouble even with milk.>>>>>>>>>>   Extreme ignorance of the Bible has crippled the Church. And that paralysis slows every denomination by hurting local fellowships. What is the percentage of Christians who have succumbed to the “Judge not” deception? Is there even one percent of believers who have not fallen for that diversion? A quarter century of observation suggests to this author that probably 99 out of 100 believers misquote Jesus by repeating the “Judge not” mantra. Believers need to turn from this sin and ask God for wisdom to keep from being so easily deceived again.>>>>>>>>>>   Curse God and die! Is that good advice? Word for word, it is in the Bible. Job’s wife counsels her husband to “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Many verses, if ripped out of context, can ruin lives. Judas “went and hanged himself” (Mat. 27:5) and as Jesus said “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). The believer who lacks a hunger for God’s word is susceptible to the most absurd dangers.>>>>>>>>>>   “Judge not” is the prayer of those who want to hide light under a basket. The cliché describes salt, which has lost its flavor, which no longer seasons or preserves. This seductive lie takes its victims out of ministry. As spectators on the sidelines, they only watch the spiritual battle. But they are in a comfort zone. Apathy is the craving. “Judge not” is the shirking of responsibility.>>>>>>>>>>   To the Jews God said, “If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house” (Zech. 3:7). Are members of the Body of Christ today less capable than Israel whom God commanded to “judge righteously” (Deut. 1:16‑17; Lev. 19:15)? Moses appointed the head of one out of every ten households as a judge (Ex. 18:25; Deut. 1:15). Should Christians toss out the entire book of Judges? Should America eliminate all judges, or should just the Christian judges resign?>>>>>>>>>>   Should believers ignore Paul’s admonition: “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?” (1 Cor. 6:2‑5).>>>>>>>>>>   Notice that Christians “will judge the world!” (1 Cor. 6:2). For Paul said, “if the world will be judged by you…” God the Judge delegates judgment to His people. Even spirit beings will submit to believers: “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” Then and now, believers should “judge... according to My judgments” (Ezek. 44:24) as God said. The Almighty commits judgment into the hands of His obedient servants (Rev. 20:4).>>>>>>>>>>   If God were the only judge, the sins of all men would be “clearly evident, preceding them to judgment” (1Tim. 5:24). But because human beings will judge their fellow men on Judgment Day, therefore the sins “of some men follow later” (1Tim. 5:24).>>>>>>>>>>   Today, many believers are effectively saying, “Lord, thanks but no thanks. I’ll pass on that judgment duty.” But Paul responds, Start judging now, because you will need the practice (1Cor. 6:2‑5). Remember, “He who is spiritual judges all things. For... we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:15‑16). And God will reward those who judge, and do the hard work: “Those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” (Prov. 24:25).

A great post from Stand Up For The Truth. Anyone who tells you Christians aren't supposed to call out the wolves doesn't know their Scripture! Read on.........

How deep is the Saddleback quagmire?

With all of the strange twists and turns in the Saddleback saga these past few weeks, you almost need a playbook to keep track of how this curious situation came to be. Thankfully, Marsha West has put together a 30,000-foot overview of why things are as sticky as they are for Pastor Rick Warren and his PR team. If you’ve just come off the bench and need to catch up, or you’re still wondering, “Why are all these Christians picking on one of their own?” then Marsha’s new Renew America article should bring you up to speed:

Rick Warren once again caught up in controversy    

Article By Marsha West  Reprinted in full with permission via Renew America

In January 2011 mega church pastor Rick Warren enlisted the help of three doctors to come up with a health plan for Saddleback Church (SBC). The doctors he chose were Daniel Amen, a professing Christian, Mark Hyman, a Jew, and Mehmet Oz, a Muslim (and Oprah’s “favorite doctor”). The foursome put their heads together and came up with The Daniel Plan (TDP). In a piece I wrote titled Rick Warren Introduces “The Devil Plan” I demonstrated that doctors Amen, Hyman and Oz are steeped in Eastern mysticism and the occult. So — why did Rick Warren knowingly choose occultists? Why not play it safe and choose doctors who are “in the faith”? It seems “America’s Pastor” is always stirring up controversy, even when it’s unnecessary.

Honestly, I don’t really care why he chose the doctors he did. What gives me pause is that Rick Warren is a heavy hitter in Christendom, so it only makes sense that a shepherd of the flock should have more concern for the spiritual health of the sheep than for their waistlines.

When I wrote on TDP my primary concern was that Christians who trust Rick Warren would purchase the doctors’ books, CDs, DVDs and nutritional supplements simply on his recommendation. My concern was well founded as many believers have been, and will continue to be, influenced by a worldview that’s incompatible with Christianity.

Ignoring critics, Warren decided to take his weight loss program nationwide. TDP is now available to churches that are looking to offer a weight loss program. As of this writing 15,000 people have signed up.

Pastor Warren’s willingness to unite with occultists isn’t the only thing that has people on edge. Other criticisms are that he:

…embraces pragmatism — in the Church, the pragmatist will look to the world’s marketing methods such as surveying the community when determining how to grow their church rather than looking to biblical examples.

…discounts the value of doctrine because he believes that doctrine can be a hindrance to unity.

…misapplies Scripture and uses it as a tool to cover his own ideas with a pretense of divine authority.

…has redefined Christian ministry in terms of social activism or what is termed social justice. (As an aside one of the leaders of Social Justice Christianity, as it is called, is Marxist sympathizer Jim Wallis, founder and editor of Sojourners magazine. “Social justice Christians,” says Eric Rush, “are those who profess Christianity, but who adhere to politically entrenched concepts of equality and redistribution of wealth. These ideas are ostensibly rooted in their faith, but in truth, they have been incrementally and insidiously insinuated into many American churches by Marxists, progressive politicians and pastors….”)

In his best-selling book, The Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren says this:

Jesus modeled a purpose-driven life, and he taught others how to live it, too. That was the “work” that brought glory to God. Today God calls each of us to the same work.

Really? Then why did Jesus answer the way He did in John 6:28-29? :

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

In his article, Michael Horton on Rick Warren, Modern Reformation, and Desiring God, Horton observed:

His best-selling book, The Purpose-Driven Life, begins by announcing that it’s not about you, but about God, and then the rest of the book is about you.

Later Horton says:

Pastor Warren tailors his appeals to his audience. To Calvinists, he stresses his support for the “solas” of the Reformation. Yet he tells prosperity evangelist David Yonggi Cho, “I’ve read your books on Vision and Dreams — speak to pastors about how you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit?…What advice would you give to a brand new minister?…Do you think American churches should be more open to the prayer for miracles?” … In a June 2006 article in JewishJournal.com, editor-in-chief Rob Eshman reported on a speech that Warren gave for Synagogue 3000, after Rabbi Ron Wolfson became involved in the Purpose-Driven pastoral training seminars. “Warren managed to speak for the entire evening without once mentioning Jesus — a testament to his savvy message-tailoring.” When USA Today asked him why Mormon and Jewish leaders are involved in his pastoral training programs, Rick Warren reportedly said, “I’m not going to get into a debate over the non-essentials. I won’t try to change other denominations. Why be divisive?”… Rick Warren endorses a host of books, from New Age authors to Emergent writers to conservative evangelicals. So why not include Calvinists?

And why not include doctors who dabble in the occult? It seems obvious that part of Rick Warren’s agenda is to be all things to all people, not to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1: 3).

The Bridge to Islam

One would think the issues commented on previously would cause SBC’s pastor to be more mindful of matters affecting his church. Not so. Once again Rick Warren is caught up in controversy. On February 23 the Orange County Register published an article titled Rick Warren builds bridge to Muslims. Jim Hinch reported that in December 2011 Rick Warren began “an effort to heal divisions between evangelical Christians and Muslims” by “partnering with Southern California mosques and proposing a set of theological principles that includes acknowledging that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.”

In his column Hinch shared that the effort, labeled the “King’s Way” document, “caps years of outreach between Warren and Muslims.” Hinch claimed that the King’s Way document (KWD) was co-authored by Abraham Meulenberg, SBC pastor in charge of interfaith outreach and Jihad Turk, director of religious affairs of the Islamic Center of Southern California and unveiled at a December 2011 dinner at SBC attended by 300 Christians and Muslims. Hinch included part of the document in his article.

Warren quickly blasted the veteran reporter, accusing him of putting out an article with “multiple errors” in it. Warren’s response to Hinch’s report briefly appeared in the comments section:

I deeply love my Muslim neighbors,” he wrote, “but this article contains multiple errors — factually and theologically that neither our dear friends in the Muslim Community nor the Christians at Saddleback Church would agree with.

Soon thereafter Hinch replied to Warren’s comment:

I ‘m sorry Rev. Warren feels the story contains errors but the story was based on interviews and documents and it was thoroughly fact-checked. I discussed all of its major points with Tom Holladay, an associate senior pastor at Saddle back (sic). I checked with other sources quoted in the story this morning and they said they did not see any errors. While reporting this story I asked to speak to Rev. Warren directly but was told he was too busy for an interview. If any facts need to be corrected I hope representatives from Saddle back (sic) will get in touch with me. …

Warren later removed his comment.

When the blogosphere got wind of the article they were on it like morning dew on a rose petal. Who was telling the truth, bloggers wanted to know — the media or “America’s Pastor”? They wondered how a veteran reporter could get his facts so wrong. Being Bereans, as the Bible commands, Christian bloggers started digging for the truth. They discovered what appeared to be a carefully crafted cover-up by SBC. But why would they want to cover their tracks? Here’s where it gets interesting:

At first glance, writes Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries, this would all seem simple enough; a report of a dinner at Saddleback Church where Turk and Meulenberg present their joint effort involving a document they’d written called the King’s Way.

Warren denied the conclusions Jim Hinch drew. To clear up the matter he stated:

Christians have a fundamentally different view of God than Muslims. We worship Jesus as God. Muslims don’t. Our God is Jesus, not Allah.

So far so good.

Silva continues:

The confusion really began to grow when I brought you a small section from what I was told is the King’s Way document in Apprising Ministries Exclusive On Rick Warren, Jim Hinch, And Islam:

I. WHO: we believe in

ONE GOD

1. God is one (Mark 12:29; Muhammed 47:19)

2. God is the Creator (Genesis 1:1; Al Shura 42:11)

This is indeed confusing — and there’s so much more to add to the confusion! (The points of theological agreement are here)

According to Hinch the KWD “outlines several areas of theological agreement between Christians and Muslims and commits members of both faiths to three goals: becoming friends; making peace; and sharing “the blessings of God with others.”

But which God? The God of Christianity or the god of Islam?

Silva goes on to say that journalist Terry Mattingly wrote a piece titledReligion: God, Allah and Rick Warren:

In his piece Mattingly quotes what he says is an email from Rick Warren who absolutely insists that: “Neither I, nor my staff, had ever seen such a document UNTIL the article mentioned it. It wasn’t created or even seen by us. … Saddleback church as a church was not involved.”… (emphasis added)

There seems to be a lack of communication between Pastor Warren and his staff and this is confirmed in an article by Jihad Turk. Turk explains that two years ago Abraham Meulenberg approached him and expressed an interest in exploring ways “that we can bring our communities together in friendship.” Turk admits he welcomed the initiative. Later in the article he states:

…over the past couple of years, Saddleback Church through King’s Way has participated in a number of events with several local Muslim communities. I was invited to give a presentation at Saddleback Church alongside pastor Meulenberg.”

From the article it becomes obvious that some of what Turk said contradicts Rick Warren and corroborates what Jim Hinch said.

As stated above, Hinch stated that he and SBC pastor Tom Holladay had fact-checked the major points in his original article. Hinch also revealed that Holladay was among those who attended the dinner when King’s Way was presented.

King’s Way, Kingdom Circles and Saddleback

While gathering info for her radio show, Stand Up For The Truth, co-host Amy Spreeman came across an intriguing bit of news. She wrote:

Yesterday we broke the news that one of Saddleback Church’s senior pastors, Abraham Meulenberg, taught about Kingdom Circles — a controversial interfaith teaching tool — this past summer at a Catholic church near Nice, France.

We wanted to give the benefit of the doubt and asked the question: Was Pastor Meulenberg actually teaching, or were these diagrams left over from a prior lesson, perhaps taught by someone else and left on the white board?

The photos in the gallery below don’t show the pastor putting pen to the wall, but there is a clear progression of diagrams in each of these photos as he is speaking to attendees. (See the photos here)

Chris Rosebrough of Pirate Christian Radio’s Fighting for the Faith program picked this up yesterday and incorporated it into a stunning and all-encompassing summary of what has happened with the King’s Way, the Kingdom Circles and Saddleback’s Muslim outreach in the past few weeks. If you need to catch up, click on his podcast…and strap on your seat belt.

With seat belt tight I listened while Chris gave the details of all that has transpired since Jim Hinch’s original article appeared. When you put the puzzle pieces together, as Chris did, it becomes obvious that, for reasons known only to him, Rick Warren thought it best to deny, verbally and in writing, that SBC pastors knew about the KWD.

But they did know. There’s photographic evidence of Abraham Meulenberg and Jihad Turk on stage together at the Saddleback Peace Center with the KWD displayed on a large screen behind them.

Clearly, the KWD has much more significance than something that came from an SBC Bible study where Muslims were invited to attend.

There’s more. On March 13 we learned that Pastor Warren elicited the help of a paid public relations firm to present his version of the “truth” in an article titled “Setting the Record Straight.”

Just so you’ll know…

Rick Warren has been pushing interfaith dialogue for years. So it’s no surprise that he’s attempting to build a bridge between Christians and Muslims. There’s nothing wrong with doing that as long as the primary purpose is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mark 16:15-16 However, Jim Hinch stated that he was told by Pastor Tom Holladay “King’s Way was an effort to build bridges of friendship and cooperation, not an attempt to evangelize.” (Online source)

Rick Warren once said, “I see absolutely zero reason in separating my fellowship from anybody.” In his ecumenical outreach, Southern Baptist Pastor Rick Warren has associated with the apostate Roman Catholic Church, the United Nations, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. These last two organizations have as primary goals setting up a global government and bringing all religions of the world together, respectively. Pastor Warren awarded the former Prime Minister of Britton, who is a recent convert to Catholicism, the annual International Medal of PEACE.

Stay turned for part 2: visit http://standupforthetruth.com/2012/03/how-deep-is-the-saddleback-quagmire/http://standupforthetruth.com/2012/03/how-deep-is-the-saddleback-quagmire/

C.H. Spurgeon - Documentary on The Prince of Preachers

I love Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 - 1892) ......the Prince of Preachers. Here's a documentary on him, shared tonight by the Blue Letter Bible blog. Spurgeon's sermons and books are legendary and theologically sound - a far cry from MOST of what we hear today.

Be Encouraged!

I shared with some Christian brothers and sisters my reticence at asking for prayers and admitting if I'm feeling down or depressed. The enemy uses our emotions to cause us to question the goodness of God (Satan did it from Genesis 3 with Eve " “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”" Genesis 3:1b), and yet we are afraid to share such feelings because (at part, at least in my case) we feel that it exhibits a lack of faith in God. I received alot of support and prayer from such brothers in Christ. One shared the verses below and another the video, which is one of my favorites! It's Casting Crowns' Praise You In This Storm.

These verses show that according to God in the Scriptures our salvation is secure because of what Jesus did. Our salvation is not based on what we do or do not do after we are saved. We have eternal security by faith in Jesus Christ.

 

“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. Much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:9-10

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:47

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:28

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9

“For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29

(Salvation is a gift of God according to the previous verse, Eph. 2:8-9) “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,” 1 Peter 1:23 “then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’ “ Hebrews 10:17

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:25

 “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” Heb. 7:26-27

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;…” John 3:36 in part

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5

“For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed,…” Romans 4:13-16 in part.

Salvation is a promise if we have faith in Jesus. “He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:20-22

Who performs the promise of salvation? Anytime we trust in what we do or fail to do to get us into heaven we are in unbelief. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

“For if the inheritance is of the law it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” Galatians 3:18

“But the scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:22

 “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14

“And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:11-14

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

IV His Son - Gospel Rap Glorifying God

Great music, all Biblically based. Get this brother's album! www.ivhisson.com. And hear him interviewed on His Word His Way's Blog Talk Radio Real Talk Thursday 2/16/12 show.

Love ≠ Not Exposing False Teaching

If we would hold fast that which is good, we must not tolerate any doctrine that is not the pure doctrine of Christ’s Gospel. There is a hatred that is downright charity: that is the hatred of erroneous doctrine. There is an intolerance which is downright praiseworthy: that is the intolerance of false teaching in the pulpit. Who would ever think of tolerating a little poison given to him day by day? If men come among you who do not preach “all the counsel of God,” who do not preach of Christ, sin, holiness, of ruin, and redemption, and regeneration, – or do not preach of these things in a Scriptural way, you ought to cease to hear them. You ought to carry out the spirit shown by the Apostle Paul, in Gal.1:8: “Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached, let him be accursed.” ~ J.C. Ryle