Archive for the ‘judgment’ Category

4
Jan

“Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness”

   Posted by: Joshuah

Works do matter, as we pointed out already, and God’s covenant is indeed conditional: IF you do this that and the other, then I will give you this that and the other. It works both ways, of course – if we do bad, we will be cursed, if we do good, we will be blessed.

My point in an earlier post (Works cannot save you) was that neither will our works save us, nor can we know if we are saved until Judgment Day – then, we will be judged according to our works, yes indeed, and will receive what we deserve, for the better or the worse.

All the salvation assurance Scripture people quote (Hebrews10:19-23 and John 10:9, for example) is very wonderful, and I am sure a lot of people who follow teachings that I would call erroneous, like the idea of a pre-trib rapture, point to the same verses and are sure they are saved. But many people will say “Lord, Lord” to Jesus and He will not know them:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ ” (Mat 7:21-23)

We are also warned against and told about deception

“And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray” (Mat 24:4-5)

“Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2Th 2:11-12)

So I suppose all these deceived people believe they are saved on the grounds of the same verses because they think they are doing what pleases God. Funnily enough, or rather, sadly enough, they oftentimes are antinomianists and still believe they are doing what is good in God’s eyes. How can they if they disregard His Law Word? We are told that even their prayers are an abomination to the Lord:

“If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” (Pro 28:9)

We can hope, yes, if we love God with all our heart and therefore follow all His commands, and we do live in that blessed hope indeed. but we will only know on Judgment Day.

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27
Dec

Judge ! But by the right standard

   Posted by: Joshuah Tags: ,

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Mat 7:1-2)

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (Joh 5:30)

A contradiction ? By no means. Many Christians nowadays, however, only want to hear the first quoted verse, and back it up with Col 2:16, as if Paul was saying there that nobody should be judged in any form or fashion. People who hold to this view contradict themselves at every turn because they do not accept all of Scripture, but pick and choose. Their determination, for example, that a certain person is “unsaved” because he does not attend church or she does not cover her head, is of course a judgment, and according to their own standard already un-Christian.

But judging nobody and associating with everyone equally, believers and unbelievers, Christians and pagans, not only stands in stark contrast to Jesus judging left and right during his ministry (just two examples: Mat 7:6, Mat 15:26), it also ignores God’s own judgments as stated in His eternal Law Word and violates God’s commandment of separation and holiness (Lev 20:26).

Just like Jesus, we are to follow God in His judgments. We better not judge people according to our own standards and ideas, for that will be the judgment that we will receive. Relying on God in everything, including His judgments, is what the bible tells us to do.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Pro 3:5-8)

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