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Good day. Today's video King of kings is on the topic of: Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. His kingdom is not of this world. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son, and our citizenship is now in heaven, where God raised us up and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, who is seated at His right hand. In the Old Testament Israel rejected God's anointed judge and prophet Samuel, thus rejecting God, and they demanded a king be set over them that they may be like all the other nations, and that their king would judge them, and go out before them, and fight their battles. Today, many Christians are doing the same; they have rejected God's anointed judge and prophet, King of kings and Lord of lords, His Son Jesus Christ, and have set over themselves unknowingly due to their own ignorance concerning God and his plan of salvation through his Son, their own appointed false judges and prophets, kings and lords in the form of ministers, pastors, teachers, priests, etc. to reign over them and fight their battles for them, and to lay blame on, who in turn bring them into bondage laying heavy burdens that they are not able to bear, and they love to have it so (Read what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 and 19-20). Many rely more on what men say about the scriptures instead of going to the source of all truth, wisdom and knowledge, the King of kings and Lord of lords who has overcome the world. The Lord Jesus Christ said "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30); thus, the simplicity of salvation is in him. Do you know the King of kings, the Lord of lords? Is He truly your King and Lord? Who do you want to reign over you, to judge you, to teach you, to go before you, to fight your battles for you? Men or God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ? Choose you this day who you will serve! God bless and keep the faith. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good day. Today's video What Works is on the topic of: What must we do to work the works of God? A simple answer given, "believe on him whom he sent" (John 6:26-29, John 17:3). There is a difference between the works of God and the works of men. The works of God are spiritual, being a doer of the word of God and not just a hearer only (James 1:22-25); the works of men are in carnal ordinances, traditions, and doctrines of men; and those who compare themselves with themselves are not wise. In the end we are judged of no man but of the Lord and what works will you bring to the judgement throne of God, his works or men's works? Those who are not saved (dead) will be judged out of the "books" according to their works; this will include many who profess to know God but in works deny him. Remember many are called but few are chosen; why? because few choose to work the works of God, by entering into his rest and ceasing from their own works and believe on him whom He sent. Once you are born again, having accepted Jesus Christ (whom God sent) as your Lord and Savior, you have to continue in the faith and become grounded and settled and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel. Many begin in the spirit, but in the end try to perfect it by the flesh following the carnal ordinances, traditions and doctrines of men because they have not studied to show themselves approved unto God and so they have made the cross of Christ of none effect in their lives, by not overcoming the world and its way within them and by not keeping His works which are spiritual. Faith without works is dead; and without faith it is impossible to please God. Revelation 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (KJV). Do you want to continue in dead works and be judged out of the "books" according to your works and given eternal damnation, or continue in the works of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent and have your name written in the book of life, having been judged according to the Spirit and given eternal life? What works will you bring to the throne of God? For heaven's sake, know what works and what doesn't work by seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness on a daily basis. God bless and keep the faith. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 14:13-16 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (14) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (KJV)
Strong’s definition for judge: 2919 krino (kree'-no); properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish: KJV-- avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think. If you notice in verse 13 Paul is dealing with a brother, a fellow believer in Christ, one who has chosen the law of liberty rather than remaining under the condemnation of the devil. Paul uses the example of eating meat, which before under the old law had strict laws and provisions concerning its uses. Paul himself was well versed and understood the old law with the best of them, but had come to an understanding of the truth, that in Christ all meat was good, and nothing had to be refused anymore but was now sanctified and fit for use by prayer and thanksgiving; thanking our Father for providing healthy food for His temple. But you know, whether it is food or drink, or any other area that someone is dealing with, it is not for us to judge or condemn them just because they haven’t come to a working knowledge of the truth in certain areas of their walk. Remember how God dealt with you when you first came to Him, and how loving and longsuffering He was in teaching you to walk in the newness of His realm. So with this in mind, would it not be the same for us in how we deal with others; rather than being so high minded and judgmental the most important thing to watch out for would be that the devil doesn’t use one of his workers to trip them up with a false doctrine, a stumblingblock, or a detour to keep them from accessing God through the Son. Romans 14:17-19 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (KJV) Instead of trying to get your point across and engaging in endless petty debates over foods and drinks, or anything else that is of the carnal realm, keep it in the Spirit, and concentrate on the things that make for peace, and that which will build someone up more than tearing them down or putting them down for where they are at in their walk. It is much more important that someone comes to a working knowledge of who they are in Christ, rather than spending more time on what they can eat, or any other thing that pertains more to the temporal than the eternal. That is where you learn and continue to keep your spiritual senses exercised so that you know what the real priority is and what is not worth striving about. Those that use wisdom in these areas will find themselves approved of God, and doing those things that are pleasing in His sight. Romans 14:20-23 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. (21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (KJV) Thayer’s definition for offence: 4348 proskomma- a stumblingblock a) an obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls b) that over which a soul stumbles, that is, by which is caused to sin Here is an interesting take on it; rather than watching out on their behalf and helping them to avoid stumbling by your actions and motives, taking offence to what they believe, you now became the stumbling block, or should I say block head. Rather than being the one that should be helping them in overcoming a situation you are actually setting them back again; and rather than giving them truth you are keeping them in bondage. That does not sound like something that a true servant of Christ is going to find acceptable let alone pleasing in God’s sight. Realize that when we wound someone’s weak conscience, or lack of knowledge in certain areas they haven’t been enlightened to, we are actually sinning against Christ Himself; ouch. You have faith in certain things and have been set free; great, then keep it between you and God; you don’t need to make a public proclamation or a spectacle out of yourself. Verse 21 makes reference to things that rather than building someone up it is actually making them weaker. Which again we see words like stumbling and offending, something we should be keeping out of their path and not putting into it. Basically what are your motives; are you doing your so called good deeds before men to be seen by them, or are you more concerned with pleasing God and doing that which is acceptable in His sight, which by the way is looking at the heart right now? Let me ask this, is everything you do on the up and up; are you able to do it faithfully, or is there some doubt in your walk as well, something you are not able to wholeheartedly justify before God? When you start entering these areas of doubt, whether it involves you alone or how you are handling situations involving others, are you able to do it faithfully? Because if not, it is now in the realm of sin and condemnation of the devil. Maybe that thing you see in someone else’s life, that shortcoming you perceive, is actually a reflection of your own fault and shortcomings; rather than removing the obstacle from your own path it is much easier to concentrate on someone else. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV) The carnal mind is enmity with God, and they that are in the flesh cannot please Him. When one withdraws themselves from the realm of the Spirit and back into the flesh they enter a realm of doubt and confusion, one that is not of God, a place of condemnation and a snare of the devil. So please Church, for your sake, don’t even go there. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV)
Not only are those that are in Christ no longer under condemnation of sin and death, but they are not passing their own judgments on others and pointing fingers at what they perceive to be everyone else’s shortcomings. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith; and salvation is certainly not something you have or ever will achieve by works, so it eliminates any boasting on our part. Yet with this in mind, religious organizations and so called churches at times are no different than the world when it comes to backbiting and slandering; like a big henhouse full of loud boisterous cackling. Not only have you been set free and delivered from the bondage of sin and death, so have others despite how you may view their walk, or how you think they should be operating. Not only have many Christians decided to take on the role of judge, but they also have taken on the role of jury, and sad to say many times with their tongues executioners. Remember how you were delivered? Was it by self righteous overbearing examples of those that claim to know God, or was it by the mercy and love of God that drew you to Him? John 8:2-6 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. (3) And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, (4) They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. (5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? (6) This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. (KJV) Doesn’t this give us a good illustration of what we see going on in many religious groups today? Rather than get together to teach the word of God they are more concerned with what others are doing, and letting someone’s shortcomings and faults be broadcast amongst the whole congregation. So when these accusations are brought forth how do you handle these petty strife’s and the talebearer’s that are more concerned with hearing gossip than truth? Will you follow the example our Lord set; rather than continue to engage in this nonsense He chose to ignore it as though he heard them not and heard His Father’s response. While our fleshy nature is more apt to want to hear the juicy details, the Spirit is saying enough, this is not an area God is operating in. John 8:7-11 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (8) And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (10) When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (11) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (KJV) How are you handling these situations you encounter on a daily basis, whether it is at work or wherever you fellowship at; are you going to listen to gossip and half truths or are you more interested in listening to and dealing with truth? Are you passing judgment on others before you hear God’s answer, like the above example ready to rock someone’s world based on second hand information. Not only is the Lord no longer condemning you, but He is asking us not to pass judgment on others so quickly, and to be much quicker to hear, and slower to speak as well as to wrath. Proverbs 18:12-13 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. (13) He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (KJV) When confronted with gossip and accusations of the brethren how are you handling it today? Are you ready, shoot, then aim or are you going to not get caught up in slandering and backbiting, things that tear down rather than build up? If you are not able to say something to someone’s face first then what makes you think you have the right to speak it out to everyone else’s. Stay out of the mud people, once you have been washed with the pure living waters don’t go running back to a pigpen of gossip and slandering. Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. (KJV) Just because someone comes running up to you with an account of someone’s faults or shortcomings, or did you hear about so and so and their adulterous affair, doesn’t mean you need to keep the chain of communication going; rather wouldn’t this be a good place to put it to rest just as our Lord did? Yes it may be enticing to the flesh to get the details, but if one is operating and seeking a loving way to handle it then it will cease and desist with them. Proverbs 29:9-11 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. (10) The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. (11) A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. (KJV) When you engage in contention and strife there will be no rest in your soul. Have you ever spoken something about someone when they weren’t around, then when they were around you weren’t as bold in your accusation? Or maybe you heard something about that person, and rather than conceal the matter you chose to keep it alive and spread the gossip? A wise man will wait for an appropriate time, then if needed will deal with the person first and not make a public proclamation. Proverbs 11:12-13 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. (13) A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. (KJV) When I hear a talebearer always talking about everyone else the first thing I begin to wonder is what secrets are they trying to conceal about themselves, and why are they so quick to throw stones at others? Luke 6:36-37 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (KJV) If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, and will continue to operate in the newness of life and not let the old man resurface with silly accusations and petty strife’s. It’s a no condemnation zone for those in Christ, not only for you but for others as well. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (2) A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; (3) A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; (KJV)
Did you know that as there are seasons in the outward realm, there are seasons in the spiritual realm also? In the spring a crop is planted, and later in the fall it is harvested, plucked up and put to use. When God chastens His people it can be grievous; like with chemotherapy it is a time to kill off old cancerous areas in our walk, so that it can bring forth healing to an area that is dying and would continue to spread if not dealt with. The fact that God created the heaven and earth, and set the outward seasons as He saw fit, would it not be fitting to let Him handle the spiritual seasons as well, and deal with His people the way He sees fit? Do you know what others have need of more than God? Are you able to see the way He sees, not just the outward but the inward motives of the heart? Too many people have become judge, jury, and executioner. Judging matters and making determinations on others, based on how they think people should live rather than letting the Creator make the determination. 1 Timothy 1:12-14 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (13) Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. (14) And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (KJV) If you were going to determine an apostle based on a job resume, then the example above would probably be the last person you would choose to be a part of your church or any organization. God knew that this person had a zeal for Him, but it was not based on His knowledge, and thus was described as being done ignorantly in unbelief. All sin is a result of unbelief, so at an appointed time, in an appointed place, God chose to deal with this individual and make the correction in a loving way so that he could be used of God. If left up to man, this person would have been the last one chosen, which ended up being the first one God chose. When you go back and read the above verses, you will find that this person is Paul the apostle. Acts 17:29-30 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (KJV) Times in verse 30 means season; and when it says ‘God winked’ it means He chose not to punish, or attend to it at this particular time. But there does come a time, a season when He no longer overlooks the situation with us, but will deal with us as individuals, where we are at personally in our walk, and make the correction in a loving, and sometimes grievous manner to our flesh, so that afterwards it can yield peaceable fruit in us. Being that God is longsuffering toward us, should we not be the same way in return to others, and not pass our own judgments onto them? Matthew 18:23-27 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. (24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. (25) But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. (26) The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (27) Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (KJV) We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. We all as different members of the body of Christ have strong and weak points in our lives; which means all of us need to be dealt with individually, in a loving compassionate way. So just like in a hospital, not all patients are given the same diagnosis, but rather are given what is needed at the time for whatever the ailment is. The same holds true in the spiritual realm. Matthew 18:28-31 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. (29) And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. (30) And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. (31) So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (KJV) How did the Lord deal with you? How is He working with you today, and how are you working with others? Remember you were saved by grace through faith, and not of works. So why do many judge so harshly, forgetting what manner of man they were, and the compassion it took to allow them access into Father’s kingdom? How many people have been entrapped and falsely imprisoned, because they didn’t live up to manmade doctrines and judgments, which instead of setting them free put them in bondage? When did you decide it was time to carry out judgment; rather than showing the same compassion that was shown you, you decided it was open season and went on a self righteous hunting trip? You know what they say about paybacks don’t you? Matthew 18:32-35 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: (33) Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? (34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (35) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (KJV) When you take the law into your own hands, you have a fool for a sheriff, and you now become open season for the wrath of God, and His righteous judgment. Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (KJV) It’s just not fair, they got more than I did, or they can do whatever they want to and get away with it. Often time’s children think and speak this way, and make rash judgments based on emotions and not the Spirit. Are you willing to let the Lord take over and have His way and make judgments in your life, knowing what is best for you and your situation at this time, right now? The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, so get back to work so that you can be outstanding in His field when He returns. Tis the season. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (KJV)
Why is everyone so concerned about everyone else’s business? Did you reach some point of perfection, that now you can go out and analyze everyone else’s walk and tell them how to live? Have you ever heard the verse, he that is without sin can cast the first stone? James 4:11-12 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? (KJV) Let me ask this question, that thing you spoke about behind someone’s back, is it something you could have said to their face? Or possibly it is something that should have been said to their face, before you decided to say it to everyone else’s. How many times have you got all worked up and excited about confronting someone, only to find out that when it came time to deliver the message, it came out completely different than what you thought? That’s called imaginations, which the Bible says we are to cast down, not entertain and speak out on, especially against the brethren, God’s people. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. So if you are not able to speak it face to face, then like the old saying goes, ‘if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all’. Galatians 5:15-16 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (KJV) Did you ever see the poster of a bunch of wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing, and the one takes his mask off and realizes there are no more sheep left, only wolves. That basically sums up what happens when the Church is no longer walking in the Spirit, but in the flesh, and making judgments based on their own carnal thinking and no longer in line with God’s. So eventually what goes around, comes back to bite you. So if you have been backbiting, it won’t be long before you get the same in return. Psalms 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. (KJV) The Lord doesn’t think to highly of those that make false accusations against His people, and if you don’t obey His rules you will find yourself in contempt of His court and will be asked to leave. There is one judge and one lawgiver who wrote the book and is the author and finisher of our faith; so unless you think you can do a better job than Him, you might well leave it to Him to handle judgment. Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (4) 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? (5) 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. (KJV) Oh my, you have all the answers except one, how to live your own life and walk a walk that is pleasing to the Lord. So just about the time you decide to judge others and straighten them out, the Lord comes right back at you and says, ‘hey hypocrite, just possibly that thing you see in someone else is actually a reflection of yourself, and that is why it is irking you so much’. So before you decide to clean out someone else’s closet, make sure you got all the skeletons out of yours first, and then you will see clearly how to handle the situation in love and not anger. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. (4) For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. (5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (KJV) Do you know that sometimes we are our own worst critics? Sometimes we sell ourselves short because of what others think of us, or have said about us. Did you ever stop and think that the Lord doesn’t even want us to judge ourselves, but rather leave that to Him as well? Now true, there are those that think more highly of themselves than they should, and are what is referred to as legends in their own minds. You too can sell yourself short and miss your calling, because you try to compare yourself with others and how they walk, rather than realizing God made you unique, and has a calling and a place in the body of Christ that only you can fill. Without you being in the place that He would have you be, you rob Him the opportunity to bless you the way He intended. Like Paul himself wrote, ‘it is so small and trivial what others think of me, or how I am judged by them, because it is only by the Lord’s standards that I am justified’; because of that attitude God was able to use him to write a good portion of the epistles. Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (KJV) Just because others don’t believe the word of God, will you let that affect you? Just because others judge by the outward, and are more concerned with pleasing man than God, are you going to let that affect you? Come judgment day you will pass or fail by one standard; I chose God and His word to be true above and beyond what anyone else thought or said and let man be the liar; or I chose to believe man and called God the liar. Galatians 6:1-3 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (KJV) Will you react in the flesh, or respond in the Spirit? The fact that God is a Spirit, then only those that serve Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth will God use to bring about healing and restoration to situations that arise in the body, which will be based on His judgments and love, and not some condescending self righteous attitude. So it’s your decision this day, choose who you will serve, because with what measure you put out, is what is coming right back at you. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (KJV)
Did you know that one of the biggest stumbling blocks you can put in someone’s path is our own judgments toward them, or even yourself? When were you appointed to God’s Supreme Court? And when did God ask you to decide what is best for the brethren? The fact that God created man, and has been dealing with mankind long before we ever showed up on this planet, would it not be fair to say that He is more than capable of handling the situation? Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? (7) But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (KJV) You don’t even know how many hairs are on your head right now, and yet you know how to judge other people. If God has knowledge of the outward, do you not think it is fitting that He also can handle the inward, and knows what we have need of before we ask? Don’t you have enough to handle in your own walk without taking on someone else’s? John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (KJV) Many make decisions and decide what is of God based on the outward appearance, and not what the inward man is dictating to them. Satan transforms himself and appears to be a minister of righteousness and leads many astray because they choose to walk by sight and not by faith; while promising liberty they themselves are actually servants of corruption, whose end will be according to their works. Lots of marriages are based on the outward as well. There is a big difference between what God joins together and what man chooses as his/her perfect mate. Ever read or hear the verse ‘the last shall be first and the first last’? The last person you thought about marrying may end up to be the first one God had for you, and the first person you thought was best for you may be the last one God had in mind for you. This holds true as well with many other situations you may encounter; what employment you may be seeking, which fellowship God may be leading you to, and most importantly where your place is in the body of Christ and what your calling may be. Many judge themselves and put themselves in places God has not asked them to be because it was appealing to the outward rather than the inward. Some choose to be in a place of leadership in a church, when in reality they can’t even manage their own home, but think they should be telling others how to manage theirs. Luke 14:8-11 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; (9) And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. (10) But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. (11) For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (KJV) How about some humility people? How many times have we thought ourselves to be something, when in reality we are nothing? In other words, how many times have we exalted ourselves in positions God hasn’t put us in, and then wonder why we fall on our face? How many times have we put our own judgments on other people and tried to lower them to some other standard, only to find out that God had put them there for a reason and knew exactly what He was doing. If you don’t learn to be faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in larger ones either. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (19) And if they were all one member, where were the body? (20) But now are they many members, yet but one body. (KJV) God has set His table, and put things and people in the order that is pleasing to Him. So what gives you the right to question His judgment, or the people He saw fit to place there? If you don’t have peace in your life, maybe you need to ask yourself if you are in the place God has asked you to be, or are you playing musical chairs and dancing to the beat of a different drummer. James 2:1-4 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. (2) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; (3) And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (4) Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (KJV) Man judges success and blessings based on the outward appearance, and ends up overlooking and downplaying some of the most vital and important members of the body. So instead of utilizing them and putting them at the head of the table, they end up sticking them at the lower end and ignoring them. 1 Corinthians 12:21-23 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (22) Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: (23) And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. (KJV) Again we see how backwards things get when we decide to take judgments into our own hands and not rely on who and what the Lord knows is best for His body. Try going a day with one hand tied behind your back, or blindfold yourself and see how far you would get in a day. The blind leading the blind; they have covered their eyes and rather than having those overseeing the congregation that God has chosen, they have put people in this position that are willing to look the other way rather than look out for the welfare of the body. Ever hear the term being put in your place? I pray it is a good place you end up in, but only if you let the Lord do the placing and leave the judging department to Him as well. He has done just fine and doesn’t need our input. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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