Recently,
while attending a Prayer/Revival class, the discussion of the class that
day briefly centered around the "Judgment of God."
Granted,
God does not stand over us to continuously punish us.
Why? GOD IS A GOD OF LOVE! God sent Jesus (John
3:16) to earth so
that we may be reconciled to a Living, Loving God. After
"Salvation," do we live as we please?
A
good analogy (awkwardly given by me in the class this week) lovingly
states, in essence, "Parents that discipline their children do so
because they want to correct their children so that they may have a more
acceptable behavior."
Does
this, then, tell us that God always disciplines? This question
brings more questions as follows:
1.
If a discipline is given -- why be disciplined?
2.
Is it a truly, Godly Discipline, or a man-made discipline?
3.
What is the discipline to produce?
4.
Does the discipline bring honor or selfish gratification?
Now,
I am not writing about some out-of-the-place theological point of view;
therefore, what does the Bible tell me and you?
JUDGMENT
and/or DISCIPLINE
1.
I Peter 4:17 . . . "For the time is come that judgment must
begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall
the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"
2.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 . . . "For God shall bring every work into
judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be
evil."
3.
John 9:39 . . . "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into
this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see
might be made blind."
4.
John 16:8 . . . "And when he is come, he will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"
5.
Psalm 33:4-5 . . . "For the word of the LORD is right; and
all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and
judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD."
LOVE
1.
John 3:16 . . . "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life?"
2.
Daniel 9:9 . . . "To the Lord our God belong mercies and
forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;"
3.
Psalm 78:38 . . . "But he, being full of compassion, forgave
their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he
his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath."
4.
Isaiah 5:16 . . . "But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in
judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in
righteousness."
5.
I Peter 4:10,11 . . . "As every man hath received the gift,
even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the
oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability
which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen."
When
listening to the news, or hearing negative circumstances about people
that we know, the compassionate Christian may reach out and share the
love of Christ. I believe in the love of a righteous God that is
just and that hates falsehood, untruths, hatred, lust, or any other
depravity of mankind. However, I also believe in the love of
Christ that teaches that we reach out to those that need a loving
encouragement when one's life is devastated.
1st
Email Message
Your
urgent message was received. While reading this message, the
thought about the Bible Job came to mind. Obviously you are
having more problems than a person should have. Some solutions -
humanly and biblically - may be:
1.
"When it rains, it pours."
2.
Christians aren't supposed to have problems?
3.
Certainly your heart is right - serving the Lord to the best of your
abilities.
4.
Your talents should never be placed aside.
5.
Omitted
6.
I have read many times of situations that missionaries had to endure;
and, those situations were also of unbelievable occurrences.
7.
It is darkest before the dawn.
8.
"-", you certainly need to see the light in your dark
situation.
9.
You know, PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER will sustain us while we hold on to
the Hand of Jesus!!!
10.
. . . If I could, I would send money to you. Etc.
11.
The above is not in chronological order, but are a few thoughts that I
hope will encourage you. Etc.
Dear
"_", please take courage that there are people in the
Internet that are interceding and petitioning the Heavenly Father for
answered prayers.
2nd
Email Message
Dearest
"-". Doesn't Scripture tell us that in quietness in Him we
can find strength? (paraphrased by Johanna) "_",
do try to rest in HIM WHO IS OUR ONLY PEACE AND STRENGTH! All
others are like Job's friends. My friend during year-long,
injustice crises has been "HOLDING ONTO THE HAND OF
JESUS." Please, "_", do the same!!! Love
and Prayers,
The
Reply - Theological Consensus
Thanks,
Johanna !
"WHEREFORE
SEEING WE ALSO ARE COMPASSED ABOUT WITH SO GREAT A CLOUD OF
WITNESSES, LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN WHICH DOTH
SO EASILY BESET US, AND LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT
IS SET BEFORE US, LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF
OUR FAITH; WHO FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE
CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, AND IS SET DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF
THE THRONE OF GOD."
