As we continue in examining what the what the writer of Hebrews calls “milk” we’ve looked at Repenting from Evil
Deeds, Placing our Faith in God, Baptisms, theLaying on Of Hands, and the Resurrection of the Dead. Now we’ll look at what we know about the Eternal Judgement.

The first time Jesus came He didn’t come to condemn. He didn’t come to judge. So you and I don’t have any right to judge anyone outside the church. He didn’t come to condemn the world so how can we? We also can’t judge another’s servant. Since those inside the church are God’s servants not ours, we can’t condemn them either. If this seems hard for you I’ve written “How to Judge and Not be A Jerk.” (Find it on Expectancy Press.)

One day Jesus is returning to judge the living and the dead and make all things right. It’s not for us to stand on the street corner and call on people to repent because this is what’s in store for you. It’s the kindness of God that leads people to repentance.

We need to be be filled with the love of God and the power of God and go out into the streets and show people His grace and mercy and power and have them encounter God face to face through us. They need to see His passion, His power, His love so they can respond and repent and start on the milk of the word so they can move onto the meat.

That’s our responsibility when we think about the judgement that’s coming. It is coming. But I’m sick and tired of Christians being satisfied with letting the world go to hell.

Too often we talk about eternal judgement and vindicate our inaction or guilt ourselves into taking on a “project”. I’ve found when I encounter our living God, no one can keep me from sharing it with others.

It’s not evangelistic programs we need, it’s the power and presence of God.

How does Eternal Judgement motivate you? Do you really think it’s forever?

Love the controversy. Share your thoughts today.

photo credit: Sabby3000

Discernment is a gift desperately needed at this moment in Church history. Jesus warned us:

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. Matthew 24:24 (New International Version)

We’re living in the time He was prophesying about. It’s one sign of the end of the age.

In the past we’ve focused on criticizing other servants of our Master. But who are we to do that (Romans 14:4)?

Leaders were warned about wolves arising from their midst (Acts 20:29). And those same leaders were later chastised by the Son for not acting in love as they confronted heresy (Revelation 2:1-5).

We must know how to discern in love.

It’s time to stop being a jerk when we judge. It’s time to stop responding like a jerk when we’re judged.

Honor is the answer to both excuses to act like a jerk.

As you honor the Father by obeying Him, He will honor you. As you honor your parents, you will enjoy long life in the land. As you honor those who betray you, you honor our Lord by walking in His steps. As you call out the glory in those around you, you allow them to become what the Father has deposited in them. You are a carrier of the Kingdom. Bring it out wherever you go.

Lord, I know you didn’t come to condemn the world, so forgive me for when I have. I know you’ve given us discernment so help me to use it in love and faith. I thank you for honoring me beyond my comprehension. Help me to honor all people, keeping true to who You’ve created and called me to be.

I love to hear what you have to say. Do you have any questions about how to honor that you’d like to ask? I’ll try to answer with the best of my understanding (and research).

Finally, “Krino” is also translated “to condemn”. Since we can so easily move from discernment to condemnation – especially when we don’t discern in love – we need to understand what condemnation is.

First of all, it’s not the same as conviction. Both condemnation and conviction bring pain and sorrow, but they bring different kinds…

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (New Living Translation)

Too many well-meaning people try to bring “conviction” but really they bring condemnation, because it is not their role to convict. Jesus said:

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
John 16:7-11 (New Living Translation)

When should you condemn? Never.

Don’t condemn those inside the family…

Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help, they will do what is right and will receive his approval. Romans 14:4 (New Living Translation)

Don’t condemn those Jesus doesn’t condemn…

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. ?John 3:17 (New Living Translation)

You’re job is not to condemn. It’s not even to bring conviction. You’re job is to show the Father’s love that’s what you’ll be judged by both in this life and the next (Matthew 25:34-40).

We’ll get back to discussing How to Judge and Not Be A Jerk in the next posting…

Trevor Lund
Expectancy Ministries

We are fallen people living in a fallen world. That’s not an excuse. We need to become more and more and more like Jesus. But there may be times when we have sinned against someone else and we need to make it right.

The rabbis taught that the sin against someone else was heavier than the sin against God, because God would always forgive, but someone else may not.

They didn’t have the book of Romans, so Rabbi Paul had a different point of view we follow, but more about that in a couple days.  Jesus gave us a pattern to follow in Matthew 5:23-26

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny. (NLT)

There are a couple of things I’ll point out right away. It’s the one bringing the sacrifice that remembers someone has something against him or her. It’s the Holy Spirit that brings it to their mind. It’s the Spirit’s job to convict sin, not any of ours. Jesus Christ didn’t come into the world to condemn it, so how can we condemn a fellow believer (or the world for that matter)?

Secondly, when the Spirit brings revelation that someone has something against you, you go to them. Don’t wait for them to come to you. in the next post I’ll outline how you should approach them. Today I’ll pray the Spirit empowers you to obey the Father’s will for you.