Right Concept, Wrong Idea #4

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We’re taking a look at some well-known thoughts that we tend to
misinterpret biblically.

“God is the only One who can judge.” (Part 1)

Many Christians have become so afraid of being labeled judgmental,
they have misunderstood what Christ said about judging!

Only God can judge for condemnation.
He’s the only One who has the authority to condemn someone.
It’s not our place to condemn.
But He has authorized us to judge in a discerning manner for
identification purposes.

Matthew chapter 7 begins with Christ telling us not to judge for
condemnation. But in verses 15-23, He tells us we are to judge or
discern for identification—and then He instructs us how to do that.

Christians have Christ’s authority to discern between what’s true and
what’s false and to make that known. Of course, this takes the
guiding of the Holy Spirit within us. If we do this on our own, we run
the risk of condemning.

But because we have misunderstood how to judge with Christ’s
discernment, we’ve become paranoid about offending others.

Christ tells us to do everything in love!

“Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us
really love them, and show it by our actions” (1 John 3:18 LB).

But genuine love doesn’t ignore what’s false.
As we depend on the Holy Spirit, let’s stand in boldness for truth and
all that’s right, while we no longer remain silent about sin.

(Catch part 2 of this devotional regarding judging on June 19, 2018.)

Thoughts?

Please pray for me as I speak in Indianapolis this week.

Right Concept, Wrong Idea #3

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“It’s not God who sends people to hell; they send
themselves.”

That’s like saying, “Teachers don’t punish students who misbehave;
they punish themselves.”

Allow me to revert back to my third-grade self for a moment. As a
student who was disciplined for talking in class, I can guarantee that I
never punished myself.

My teacher could have said, “Susie, by talking out of turn, you’ve
chosen detention.” But that wouldn’t have been accurate.

If I reject the class rules, I must accept the consequences.
But I didn’t choose the consequences.

My teacher sent me to detention because I rejected the rules.
I like my teacher. She’s a good instructor. By saying, “I sent myself to
detention,” I’m trying to make my teacher look better. Would a good
and loving teacher actually choose to send her student to detention?
You can see where I’m going with this, can’t you?

We don’t need to defend God.
He’s big enough to stand on His own.
And a perfect,
just,
loving,
fair God

says He will send those who reject Him to hell.
Yes, man chooses to accept or reject God.
Yes, man has no choice but to face the consequences of his
decision.
But God is the One who actually sends sinners to hell.

“And if anyone’s name was not found recorded in the Book of
Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire” (Revelation 20:15 LB).

“But I’ll tell you whom to fear—fear God who has the power
to kill and then cast into hell” (Luke 12:5 LB).

“Fear only God who can destroy both soul and body
in hell” (Matthew 10:28 LB).

The good news is that He doesn’t want anyone to go to hell!
His desire is that all would choose Him.
But He allows us to make the decision.

I have been saved from hell, not simply because I have confessed,
repented and accepted God’s forgiveness for my sins . . .
but
also
because
I believe HIM.
I believe He is perfect.
I believe what He says is true.
And I believe everything He says.
Because God says He will send people to hell—and isn’t ashamed of
it—then I shouldn’t try to make Him sound better by attempting to
explain away His actions.

He explains Himself through Scripture.

Thoughts?

Please pray for me this week as I speak at the East TN District camp
meeting.