Pressing Charges against God - Part 2

The Temptation to Press Charges against God

Most likely, every saved individual reading this post has been tempted to “press charges against God.” Nearly all of us have been tempted to blame or accuse God. Sadly, many of us have given in to such temptation. The temptation to accuse God is twofold.

The Temptation from Within

The knowledge we have about God produces a very real temptation to accuse Him. You see, life is hard. When hard times hit, they hit hard. Sicknesses make us uncomfortable. Because of physical illness, we have sleepless nights. Some struggle financially. Others deal with the death of a loved one. None of these trials are easy.

When the catastrophe hits, we are tempted to blame God because of our knowledge of Him. We who are saved know two things about God. First, we know from God’s word that He loves us. Second, we know that God is omnipotent (all-powerful). Here is where the temptation lies. If God really loves me, and He has the power to stop a calamity from happening to me, then why didn’t He stop it? God knew that this that has come my way is hurting me, yet He did nothing to stop it, and we know that He could have! Every child of God must resist the temptation to accuse and blame God. We must remember that if God saw fit not to stop something, then He has a plan greater than we are able to see.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

The Temptation from Without

The temptation to accuse God lies not only in our knowledge of God, but there is also a temptation from without.

In my previous post, I mentioned that we who have been justified enjoy two blessings. First, if you are justified, you cannot be condemned; second, if you are justified, no one can even bring charges against you.

However, there is someone who would love to bring you into condemnation and press charges against you. I am talking about Satan, whom the Bible calls in Revelation 12:10 “the accuser of the brethren.” Satan accuses us in two ways. First, He goes before God and accuses those who are saved. We see this clearly in the story of Job. Satan stood before God, telling God that the only reason Job served Him was because God had blessed Job so much. The devil accused Job to God. Second, the devil accuses God to those of us who are saved. We see this clearly in the garden of Eden. The serpent, speaking to Eve, asks her if she and Adam can eat of any tree in the garden. Eve replied that she and her husband could eat of any tree in the garden, except the tree in the middle of the garden. In Genesis 3:5, the serpent told Eve that the only reason God prohibited them from eating of that tree was because God knew that they would be like Him if they ate of it. In other words, Satan was accusing God of withholding something good from Adam and Eve. “God doesn’t want you to have this because He doesn’t want what’s best for you.” Satan accused God to Eve!

This is how the accuser of the brethren works. He goes before God, accusing us; then he comes to us, accusing God. Now, when the devil goes before God to accuse us, what does God do? From scripture, I know exactly what God does. Romans 8:33 says, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” God does not allow the devil to press charges against you! Because you are saved by God’s grace, covered by His blood, any charges brought by the devil is immediately dismissed. God will hear nothing of it.

Now, let me ask you a question. When the devil comes to you accusing God, how do you respond? Do you dismiss it as God does for you, or do you entertain it? Do you stand up for God as He stands up for you, or do you listen to the devil’s accusations? Many of us blame and accuse God because the devil put those thoughts in our mind, but we do not stand up for God as He stands up for us. When Satan brings charges against God to you, dismiss them! That’s what God does for you!

Pressing Charges against God - Part 1

Job 1:22 – “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

There is a whole lot of story behind those first three words of our text, “in all this.” The words, “all this” do not describe merely a bad day. Not one of my readers has experienced the “all this” of our text.

To what do the words, “all this” refer? Job had just lost all of his asses and oxen, as the Sabeans came and took them away. What devastating news this had to have been for Job. Job, like most in Bible times, most likely raised his own food. In order to tend to the tilling of the ground, oxen were used. But now, Job’s oxen were gone. Then, a servant came to tell Job that fire from heaven had devoured his sheep.

As if this were not enough, a servant came to Job to inform him that the Chaldeans had come and had taken away the camels and had slain Job’s servants. Camels, in Bible times, were used for transportation. Camels could travel for miles in the desert without a drink, carrying heavy loads. But now, they were gone. Job had so much property that he needed servants to work for him. Now, those servants are gone.

As if this were not enough, another servant came to Job, stating that Job’s seven sons and three daughters were eating and drinking in their oldest brother’s house, when the house collapsed, killing them all. I personally believe that one of the hardest trials of life is the loss of one’s children. Every parent knows that life is hard. Every parent expects life to throw things at them that are hard to take. But no parent ever expects to bury one of their children. Every parent hopes that their children will outlive them. But sadly, it is not always the case. I feel terribly saddened for any parent who has had to lay a child to rest. But Job did not lose one of his children. He lost all ten of his children, after losing his material possessions.

After all of this transpires, then we come to our text – “In all this, Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” After all this, Job never shook his fist in the face of God. The truth is, many of us have charged God foolishly over a lot less than what Job faced. But Job, who was tried like no other man was tried, did not charge God foolishly.

What Does it Mean to “Charge God Foolishly”?

To understand the meaning of “charging God foolishly,” allow me to change the subject momentarily. What a blessing it is for the believer to be justified! The term “justified” is a legal term. When I say I am justified, what I am saying is that I have been to court, and I have been found not guilty! Even though I am indeed guilty of breaking the law of God, I have been found not guilty. I have been declared legally right, or righteous. This is possible because Jesus Christ, who was perfectly innocent, died the death of a guilty criminal that I might be justified! The opposite of justification is condemnation. “Condemned” is also a legal term. It means that I have been to court, and I have been found guilty. At one time, I was condemned; but now, I am justified by the blood of Christ!

There are many blessings of being justified, but I will name just two. First, Romans 8 speaks specifically regarding our justification. Notice verse 30:

Romans 8:30 – “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

This verse speaks of those who have been predestinated, called, justified, and glorified! Concerning this bunch, Paul goes on to give two blessings. First, he says in verse 34, “Who is he that condemneth?” You see, if you are justified, you are not condemned. John 3:18 states plainly, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned.” The one who has been justified by faith will not be found guilty! John 5:24 makes the matter even plainer where Christ says, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and SHALL NOT COME INTO condemnation.”

Paul, in Romans 8, speaks of yet another blessing that the justified ones possess.

Romans 8:33 – “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.”

It is overwhelming to think that the justified cannot be condemned; but there is another blessing that belongs to the justified believer. Paul also brings out the truth that, not only can the justified believer not be condemned; but also that, if you are justified, no one can even bring charges against you! Any charge brought against the justified will be dismissed by the judge of heaven!

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?” That is the question Paul asks. Of course it is rhetorical – no one is able to charge the justified with any accusation. That is what is meant by the term “charge” – a formal accusation of a person of a crime.

Let us return to our text in the book of Job. “In all this,” we are told, “Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” This is a remarkable statement because so many do charge, or accuse God. I wish I could say that only those who are lost accuse God foolishly, but that is simply not the case. Sometimes God’s children, under the weight of temptation, accuse, blame, and get bitter at God. Let me ask you; are you one who blames God? If so, let me tell you with all the love I can, that Job went through far more than you have, and he did not accuse God in any way.

Job’s attitude toward God is described in two ways; first, by what he didn’t do – he didn’t blame God; and second, by what he did do. Instead of blaming God, what did Job do?

Job 1:20 – “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.”

Job worshipped God. No doubt, he had questions. No doubt, there were things he could not understand. No doubt, Job knew that God could have prevented everything that had happened. Yet, he chose to worship rather than to get bitter. He chose to give glory to God rather than to blame God. Today, when many think of worship, they think of standing in a church with their hands in the air, swaying to the beat of a contemporary song. I am not interested in whether your hands are in the air in a church house; I am interested in what your attitude is toward God when He takes away rather than gives. I want to know, when things are looking bad, do you blame God? If so, then all your singing and dancing in church is not true worship. When Job lost all, there was no charge of accusation toward God from his lips.

James 5:11 – “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

The Day of Redemption

Ephesians 4:30 – “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

Having looked at the subject of redemption, we saw that “redeem” means “to purchase back.” It is true that we have been redeemed by being purchased by the blood of Christ. But it is equally as true that there is coming a day when we will be redeemed. There is a day of redemption coming for every child of God, though we have already been redeemed.

One such verse that shows this clearly is found in Paul’s writings.

Ephesians 1:14 – “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

“Until the redemption of the purchased possession.” We have already become the purchased possession, for the Lord bought us with His own blood! But there is a day coming when those who have been purchased will be redeemed.

How Can This Be?

How can it be that we who have been redeemed in the past will be redeemed in the future? It must be first understood that there is more than one definition of the word “redeem.” We looked the definition of redeem, “to purchase back,” in my previous post. But “redeem” has another definition. I think when we understand this, any confusion will be cleared up.

The word “redeem” can also mean, according to Noah Webster, “to perform what has been promised; to make good by performance.” Notice the word “promised.” The word “redeem,” in this definition, carries with it a sense of “trading.”

Suppose I have a McDonald’s coupon for a free beverage. McDonald’s promises that, upon use of that coupon, I can have a free beverage. I can keep the coupon until it expires, and I shall not enjoy the beverage. The only way to enjoy the free beverage is to redeem the coupon. By redeeming it, I actually trade the coupon for a beverage. I give them the coupon, and they, in turn, give me a free beverage, making good what they promised.

God has made promises to the believer, and they will be fulfilled on the day of redemption.

Our Final Salvation is Promised

Philippians 1:6 – “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

This “day of Jesus Christ” is the day of redemption, where God fulfils His promise! On the day of redemption, God will, in every believer, finish the great work He has begun.

A New Body is Promised

It is true that I have been saved (past tense). This is justification. I’m not trying to be saved; I am saved! God saved me! It is equally true that I am being saved (present tense). This is sanctification. It is just as true that one day I will be saved (future tense). This is glorification.

It can also be stated in this fashion: My soul has been saved (past tense); my spirit is being saved (present tense); and my body will be saved (future tense).

I would do no harm in stating the same truth this way: I have been saved from the penalty of sin; I am being saved from the power of sin; I will be saved from the very presence of sin.

The day of redemption is a day when my promised final salvation will be a reality. I will, on that day, be saved from the very presence of sin, never to be tempted again. On that day, God will redeem my old body by changing it to a new one! My old body will be resurrected, but it will be changed.

Let me give a note concerning this. Some teach that, when we are resurrected, our old bodies will not be raised from the dead; that we will just receive a new body. That we will receive a new body is true enough; but we will receive it by having our old body changed (I Corinthians 15:51-52)! When Christ came out of the grave, He came out with the same body that was crucified (Luke 24:39; John 20:27). However, that body was changed into a glorious body (Philippians 3:21), never to die again. This is the manner in which you and I will redeem our old bodies for a new! Our old bodies will be redeemed by one of two ways. Either our old bodies will be raised from the dead, and will be immediately changed; or, if we are alive at the rapture, our bodies will be immediately changed into a glorious body. Either way, our present earthly bodies will be changed into a heavenly body! We will trade this body for a new one!

A new body! What a thought! Our bodies, in so many ways, hinder us in this life. This truth becomes more real the older we get. But be it known, there is a day coming, a day of redemption, in which we will trade this old body for a new one!

God’s promise in giving us a new body is sure! Look at Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

II Corinthians 5:1 – “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

“We have a building of God!” That is what Paul said! He does not say, “I’m trying to get a building of God;” he says rather, “I have a building of God!” This building is our new body! It is reserved in heaven for me! It is mine! It is waiting for me! We are trying to earn a new body; we HAVE a new body! God will one day make good His promise, and this old body will be changed into the body that is reserved for us!

We are waiting for that glorious day, at the rapture, when our current bodies will be redeemed, or traded, for a new one!

Romans 8:23 – “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

Eternal Redemption

Hebrews 9:12 – “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

Redemption! What a word! While I am sure that my understanding of such a word is insufficient for exposition, I yet intend to speak of it briefly. The word “redemption” is amazing enough; and to place the word “eternal” before it makes it infinitely more amazing still. Attempts have been made to describe its wonder. Fanny Crosby, overwhelmed by the truth of having been redeemed, writes:

Redeemed – how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy –
His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed, Redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, Redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.

The Wonder of Redemption

What makes the subject of redemption so breath-taking? What is it about this subject that leaves the observer in awe? The word “redeem” means, according to Noah Webster, “to purchase back; to ransom; to liberate or rescue from captivity or bondage.” Notice the first two words – “to purchase.”

I have a message that I preach entitled, “The Carpenter.” In this message, Christ is the carpenter. What is He building? He is building a church. However, He is not building just any church; but He is building a magnificent church; a church that, when He is finished, will be perfect, without blemish; a church that is completely holy.

Now, think with me momentarily. If you set out to build a building, and that building was to measure up to absolute perfection, what kind of building material would you purchase? No doubt, you would settle for none other than the best!

But it is not so with Christ. When He builds a church, He finds lost souls – building material that is twisted and good for nothing. He uses scraps. He finds material that the other carpenters have thrown out! The outcasts, the down and out, and the leftovers! The ones that no other carpenter will use. As for this type of material, most carpenters wouldn’t use it if you donated it to them! But listen – Christ bought it! Not only did He buy it, but He paid a dear price for it! He poured out His blood to purchase this good-for-nothing material that no other carpenter would use. This is redemption! What a thought, that Christ would purchase lost souls like you and me! But on the cross, that is exactly what He did!

Eternal Redemption was Obtained for Us

Notice the last words of our text – “having obtained eternal redemption for us.” It was obtained FOR US, because we could not obtain it for ourselves. Many are the ministers and churches who do not understand this. “Do this,” they say, “and you will obtain redemption.” “Change your ways,” they preach, “and you will obtain redemption.” “Quit sinning,” they insist, “and redemption will be yours.” Ministers like these place such a low price on our redemption! The price of “changing your ways” is too low – redemption costs much more than that! “Quitting your sinning” will not purchase your redemption – it is far more costly than that! Peter insists in I Peter 1:18-19 that we were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold – but with the precious blood of Christ!

Christ is the Redeemer! Good works cannot redeem. Cessation of sin is incapable of redemption. Reformation of one’s ways will come short of the price for the redemption of the soul. Only the precious blood of Christ can redeem – it is the only payment that the Father will accept.

For this reason I preach that Christ is the only Redeemer. Christ, because He shed His precious blood, is able to pay the price of redemption. This is why I preach that faith in Christ is the only way to be saved. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” That is my message for salvation. It is a great irony that those who preach another method of salvation – good works, cessation of sin, or something else – accuse me of preaching a “cheap gospel.” Their gospel is actually the cheap gospel. The reason I preach Christ is because your “cessation of sin” is not enough! The price for our salvation is higher than that! I preach Christ because your good works and self-reformation will cause you to “come short!” It is simply not enough! It will take far more than that to redeem your soul! The blood of Jesus was accepted by the Father, and anything short of it will not redeem. If you preach any other way to be redeemed, then you are the one preaching a “cheap gospel!”

The Implication of Redemption

What does redemption imply? When you say, “I have been redeemed,” what are you saying exactly? What does that mean to you?

It means that you have been purchased! You have been bought! It means that you are not your own!

I Corinthians 6:20 – “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Women who are pro-abortion proudly proclaim, “It’s my body!” First of all, the body inside your body is not your body. The body in the womb is another human body with his or her own heart beat. That’s not your body! Furthermore, if you are a Christian, you cannot be pro-abortion for the simple reason that the body that your spirit dwells in is not YOUR body; it is HIS body – Christ bought it with His own blood. I belong to Him! I am His and He is mine.

In a sense, I am not free. I am a slave to Christ. I do not have the freedom to do as I please; I must do as He pleases, for I belong to Him! I have no right to decide where I will preach, where I will serve as pastor, or how long I will serve there. I belong to Him, and He must make those decisions. He redeemed me! He bought me! I am His servant.

“What about freedom?” you ask. “Did not Christ die to make us free?” Absolutely, for this is what Christ Himself declares in John 8:36 – “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” There is no contradiction with this verse and others that declare that we are servants of Christ – servants of righteousness. Romans 6:18 explains it all:

Romans 6:18 – “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

There is no real freedom until you are the servant of Christ. If you are not His servant, bought by His blood, His possession, then you are in severe bondage of sin. Romans 6:20 tells us that while we are the servants of sin, we are free from righteousness. You may be free from righteousness, but that is not freedom; that is bondage! Christ paid the price to redeem you, to make you His own! Come to Him, for He gives the only existing freedom in this world.

The Sermon on the Mount - Part 5

The Authority of Christ

Matthew 7:28-29 – “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

The People Were Astonished

At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Christ left his audience in awe. This is not an isolated occurrence. In John 7, the chief priests and Pharisees sent soldiers to arrest Christ. The soldiers went to arrest Christ, but came back empty handed. “Why have ye not brought Him?” the Pharisees asked. “Never a man spake like this man,” they replied.

In Matthew 22, Christ is repeatedly tempted. He is questioned by the Pharisees and Sadducees, as they were expecting to entangle Him in His talk. His answers so soundly silenced them that they “durst [dared] not ask Him any more questions!”

The Reason for their Astonishment – Authority

We are told explicitly why the people were astonished – “For He taught them as one having authority.” The scribes simply expounded on the Law of Moses; but Christ was able to go further than that.

It is vital, at this point, to clearly define authority. A related term is “power.” Though “power” and “authority” are related, they are not synonymous. Power is ammunition. If I have a gun on my side, I have power. However, when I pull out the badge, I am then showing that, not only do I have power, but I have the authorization, or authority, to use that power. Webster defines “authority” as “legal power, or a right to command or act.” Christ could say, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” But Christ also had every right to use such power. He never usurped authority; it was rightfully His.

Christ’s Authority Expressed

What was it that Christ said in His Sermon on the Mount that proved His authority to the people? Which statements was it that caused the jaws of the hearers to drop? Christ showed His authority clearly at least six times in this historical sermon.

Six times, all in Matthew 5, Jesus said, “Ye have heard…” He would then tell them something that they had heard in the Old Testament Law of Moses. Then He followed that statement with the words, “…but I say unto you…” Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with the Old Testament scripture. The fact that we are not under the Law of Moses is a truth indeed. But the reason we are not under the law is not because the law is bad. Everything written by Moses was inspired by God (II Timothy 3:16). Paul said that the law is good (I Timothy 1:8) and the commandment is holy (Romans 7:12).

Imagine if I were to get up and say, “The Bible says…but I say…” What do you think would happen? I would get opposition, to say the least. Those who heard me make such a statement would answer, “Who do you think you are?” Christ, however, has the authority to make such statements, for He is the One who inspired Moses to write the law.

Christ did not claim that the law was wrong, or that the words of Moses were faulty. He does, however, show that the words of Moses should be applied to the heart, not just to deeds or actions. For example, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said in the law, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ But I say unto you, that he who is angry with his brother without a cause is in danger of the judgment.” The Old Testament dealt with the ACTION of murder. Christ, however, deals with anger in the heart. The man who is seething with anger has the same thing in his heart that the murderer has in his.

Christ, in Matthew 5:27-28, says, “You have heard it said, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ But I say unto you, that if you look on a woman with lust, you have committed adultery in your heart.” The man who looks with lust has the same impurity in his heart that the adulterer has in his.

Oh, the wisdom of Christ! Christ knew that if His principles here would be followed, so many heartaches would be prevented! Christ was not trying at all to be mean, but He was making an attempt to prevent a catastrophe! You see, if a man can conquer his problem with lust while it is in the form of lust, he will not have to repair a broken family later! If a man can conquer his anger while it is anger, he will never sit in a prison cell wondering how he lost his cool to the point of murder! This wisdom and authority left the people in utter amazement!

Christ’s Authority Demonstrated

While on the mountain, Christ SPOKE with authority. In Matthew 8, Christ finishes His sermon, and comes down from the mountain. Oh, how we’d love to stay on the mountain with Christ. But we are not granted that privilege. At times, we have mountaintop experiences, and thank God for them. We have times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord. We have times alone with God when it seems that our troubles are diminished. There are times when we go to God’s house and the worship and the preaching refreshes us. Thank God for these times! But if we are followers of Christ, we cannot stay there, for Christ always comes down off the mountain. Peter, James, and John were with Christ on the mountain when His face shown and He spoke with Moses and Elijah. “Let us build three tabernacles,” Peter hurriedly spoke. But the Lord would hear nothing of it! One preacher said that the man who wants to build three tabernacles has never financed one! Christ did not authorize a building project on the mountain. Dear friends, as long as we’re in this world, we are not moving to the mountain!

So Christ descends from the mountain to where the people live. I am so glad that what we received on the mountain will work in the valley! Everything Christ preached on the mountain can be put to the test by those in the valley – and it was!

In Matthew 8, the first trouble Christ encounters is a diseased man – a leper. This leper’s flesh is being consumed with leprosy. The leper takes the initiative to speak to Christ. “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Christ answered, “I will; be thou clean.” And immediately he was healed. Christ has authority over the diseased.

Then Christ meets a soldier whose servant was sick. The soldier bids Christ to speak the word only, and his servant would be healed. Again, Christ showed that He not only speaks with authority; but He also acts in authority. Christ spoke the word, and the servant was healed. Again, it is clearly seen that Christ has authority over disease!

Then, our Lord comes to the house of Peter, whose mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Christ heals her, again affirming His authority over sickness.

Christ then bids his disciples to enter a ship to “go over to the other side.” After boarding the ship, a storm arises. We know that Christ has authority over disease, but what about disaster? By this time, our faith is enriched as to Christ’s authority over sickness, but what about storms? Christ stilled the winds and waves, and again, the people were amazed because Christ has authority, not only over disease, but also over disaster!

When Christ and the disciples arrive on the other side, there is a man possessed with devils. We have seen Christ’s authority over disease and disaster, but about devils? Christ cast out the devils!

Friend, there is no enemy over which Christ does not have authority! You can trust Him with disease, disaster, or devils! His authority is over all!

The Sermon on the Mount - Part 4

Verses Misused and Abused – Continued

Together, we have studied two verses in the fifth chapter of the book of Matthew, in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, that are very often misused. Those verses are Matthew 5:17 and Matthew 5:20. The former is misused in order to place the believer under the Old Testament law; the latter is misused in order to teach a works-based salvation.

Today, I wish to examine a verse misused by believers and non-believers alike. This verse is the first verse of the seventh chapter of the book of Matthew.

Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

Whether it is a believer or unbeliever misusing this verse, there are some common facts regarding that individual. First, those who misuse this verse often know little about the Bible. I am in no way trying to sound arrogant. There are Bible passages I do not understand. There are questions concerning the Bible that I cannot answer. There are verses in the scripture of which I simply do not know the meaning. If any individual in the world needs to gain a better understanding of the Bible, I will be the first in line. I say that honestly and with a pure heart. But those who misuse Matthew 7:1 usually know little or absolutely nothing about the Bible. Second, most people who quote Matthew 7:1 usually cannot quote another single solitary scripture. Third, most people who know Matthew 7:1 usually know nothing else Biblically.

Matthew 7:1 is usually quoted in a heated discussion about the scriptures. Usually, the verse is pulled out when a certain SIN is being discussed. When a person becomes uncomfortable about their activity being called a sin, then they pull out Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

How Matthew 7:1 is Usually Presented

The words of Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged,” are most likely the most misused and abused words of scripture. Those who quote it most have a very twisted understanding of its meaning.

To the ones who often quote Matthew 7:1, this verse means that several things; first, that no preacher should preach against sin, for naming specific sins is judging; second, that no Christian should make any judgment regarding what is right or what is wrong; and third, that preachers and teachers should not be identified as true or false teachers. You can see clearly that, usually, those who use this verse do not want sins, wrongdoings, and false teachers exposed. However, all of these conclusions contradict Biblical truth regarding making judgments.

The Bible Commands us to Judge!

Let us see what the Bible says to us about making judgments.

First, the Bible teaches that the preacher, the man of God, is to rebuke sin! This means that any activity that is condemned by the Bible is to be openly named and rebuked by the man of God. II Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, REBUKE, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” The word, “rebuke” means “to reprehend for a fault.” Before a fault can be corrected, it must be judged and identified as a fault! As a pastor, I cannot correct the actions of Christians sitting on the pews until I judge those actions to be wrong! It’s not rocket science. The preacher who will not judge an activity, naming it sin and correcting it, is not a man of God.

Second, the Bible teaches, not only that ministers are to judge sin and rebuke it, but also that those who sit under a minister are to judge the message of that minister. II Peter 2 and the book of Jude were written to identify false teachers. Paul said in I Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” The only way a person could have obey Paul’s command, “Follow me as I follow Christ” is to JUDGE whether Paul was following Christ. In the same chapter where Christ said, “Judge not,” he also commanded the people to know who the false prophets were by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-16)! If an individual is a false prophet, Christ expects you to identify them as such by examining their fruit, and avoid them.

Third, Christians are commanded in I John 4:1 to “try the spirits” to see “whether they are of God!” The word, “try” means to “put on trial!” Put those spirits on trial, and see if they are of God or not! When an evangelist comes to town prophesying and blowing on people, claiming that he does so under the influence of the Holy Ghost, you are not to run to the meeting and hear everything he has to say. On the other hand, when you hear what such evangelists are doing, you are to determine whether the activities of such evangelists are Biblical or not. Once you discover that the words, “slain in the Spirit” are nowhere in the Bible, you should stay away from places that practice such.

Fourth, Christians are commanded to discern (judge) between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). The Christian, if he is living by the Bible, will do some things because he has discerned, or judged, them to be good things to do. He will avoid some things because he has made a judgment that those things are evil. This is not suggested for a Christian to do; this is COMMANDED for a Christian to do. Amos 5:15 tells us to “hate the evil, and love the good.” How do we know the difference? We are to make a judgment!

Fifth, when a young man is interested in finding a wife, how should he go about doing so? He should read Proverbs 31, where Solomon paints a picture of the virtuous woman, and see if the prospect measures up! He is to make a judgment! Young ladies thinking of marriage should do the same. They should read the book of Proverbs regarding the sluggard and so forth, and see if their prospect measures up! A lot of marriages have ended in divorce because someone wanted to refrain from being “judgmental.” So, “no judgment” was preferred over “good judgment” and it resulted in “bad judgment!”

Sixth, the Bible continually commands us to judge. Read the following verses very carefully.

John 7:24 – “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

I Corinthians 2:15 – “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”

I Corinthians 6:2 – “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?”

I Corinthians 6:4 – “If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.”

So, it is clear that the individual who refuses to participate in judgment is living contradictory to scripture. We are make solid, sound judgments in the living of our daily lives.

The Meaning of Matthew 7:1

When Jesus said, “Judge not,” He was not at all meaning that we should not judge right and wrong. He was not asserting that we should not put a minister’s message to the test, to see whether or not it aligns with scripture. He was not suggesting that we make life-changing decisions without making solid judgments. Anyone who interprets this verse in this manner is ignorant of many Biblical teachings.

The meaning of Matthew 7:1 is simple – it means what it says, as all scripture does. Now, let us look at what Matthew 7:1 SAYS, but let us not look at this verse alone. Let us read the whole passage, and see what this verse says along with the four verses following it. Please read the following very slowly and carefully.

Matthew 7:1-5 – “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

You will notice near the end of the passage, Jesus speaks directly to the hypocrite. “Thou hypocrite,” He says. The hypocrite is the one who has a beam blocking his own vision, but he is concerned about the small speck in his brother’s eye! He will condemn someone for not eating healthy while he cheats on his wife.

If you think that I am judging by rebuking sin, or that I am judging for I identify what is good and what is evil, then you are the hypocrite to whom Christ is speaking in these verses. You have no right to judge anyone! If you point your finger at me and say that I am doing wrong because I am judgmental, then you are a hypocrite because you just judged me! You are upset because I make judgments, so you call me “judgmental,” making a judgment about me! Why is it wrong for me to say that homosexuality is wrong but it is okay for you to say that being judgmental is wrong? I am calling an activity (homosexuality) wrong. You are calling an activity (being “judgmental”) wrong. Why is it okay for you to make a judgment about my activity of being judgmental, but I am sinning by making a judgment regarding someone’s activity? The only answer is that the person who calls a person judgmental is a hypocrite. According to this passage, Christ teaches that the hypocrite who judges someone else will be judged in the very same manner. The person who has a beam in his own eye has no right to point his finger at the person who has but a speck in his eye. He will be judged as harshly as he judges. C.H. Spurgeon, concerning Matthew 7:1-2, said, “When I stand before God, can I honestly say, ‘Lord, judge me just exactly like I judged everyone else’?”

The Sermon on the Mount - Part 3

Verses Misused and Abused – Continued

Having looked at Matthew 5:17, a verse misused very often, I wish to now look at another such verse in the fifth chapter of Matthew.

Matthew 5:20 – “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Here is a verse often misused by those who preach salvation by works. Here, it is plain that Christ teaches us that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Those who misuse this verse do it in the following way. First, they point out that the scribes and Pharisees were strict, and they are correct in that observation. Second, they assert that the scribes and Pharisees, though they were strict, were lost. This observation is also correct. Third, they then conclude that, if you and I are going to be saved, we must be stricter than were the scribes and Pharisees. Here is where the misuse lies! Allow me to show clearly the meaning of this verse.

The Scribes and Pharisees Were Strict

First, it is necessary to understand how strict the Pharisees and scribes were. It is doubtful that no one reading this post is as strict as they were. Matthew 23 shows clearly how strict they were. They prayed often (usually to be seen, but often nonetheless). They wore long garments. They tithed from their smallest possessions. They have so many regulations and rules that Christ said that they bind heavy burdens on men’s shoulders. They were so devoted to Old Testament scripture that they killed anyone whom they thought to speak contradictory to it. In terms of strictness, the scribes and Pharisees had it!

The Scribes and Pharisees were Lost

Second, it is essential to recognize that, though the scribes and Pharisees were strict, it is just as needful to see that the Pharisees were lost. It is doubtful that no one reading this post is as lost as they were. Perhaps the reader has trouble with me declaring the scribes and Pharisees to be lost. I never made such a judgment; Jesus Christ made that judgment!

Matthew 23:15 – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”

“Child of hell.” That was Christ’s own judgment concerning the scribes and Pharisees. And make no mistake about it – Christ’s judgment is true!

John 8:16 – “And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.”

Since it is true that the scribes and Pharisees were as lost as they were strict, the reader would be wise to notice that “salvation” and “strictness” are not synonymous.

Righteousness Not Attained by Being Strict

Those who misuse our verse of discussion say that if we expect to have enough righteousness to go to heaven, we must be stricter than the scribes and Pharisees. I have actually heard it preached this way on multiple occasions. It is sad indeed that grown men standing behind a pulpit have no more knowledge of New Testament righteousness than that! The act of being strict does not, has never, and never will produce righteousness!

When Jesus Christ said that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, He was not calling us to be stricter than were; He was calling us to be more RIGHTEOUS than they were, which is a completely different calling. There is only way to be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees, and that is to be MADE righteous (Romans 5:19) by placing your faith solely in Jesus Christ for salvation (Romans 3:22). When you believe on Jesus Christ for salvation, you are then clad in the righteousness of Christ Himself! Christ’s righteousness alone exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Becoming stricter will not do the job; it takes Christ and His righteousness!

*For more information regarding HOW to become righteous, go to Righteousness Forever - Part 1 and Righteousness Forever - Part 2