September 3, 2006

A Time To Judge
Genesis 19:1-14

IYou're judging me

Whenever anyone is confronted about sin or even divergent teaching the response is much the same as Lot's neighbors response. "You are judging; it isn't nice to judge." Somewhere along the line we have done what they were doing, misinterpreting a stand for truth.

Sadly, there are people who engage in un-brotherly criticism under the guise of biblical discernment, their weapons are innuendo, character assassination, guilt by association and other dishonest methods, They weave conspiracy theories, sensationalize their attacks against others and resort to personal slurs rather than doctrinal truth. Militant fundamentalism has made this its M.O. and forfeited its credibility. The call we need to discernment is not that sort of attitude.

We are not to be pugnacious.

BUT when critical truth is at stake, how do we display the mind of Christ? I am sure, very sure that it is not by allowing the error to go unchallenged. Like Jesus we need to PROCLAIM truth and condemn error.

Look with me at Matt 23 for a moment: 1-17
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

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.

Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

[Ye] fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

Here Jesus is very plainly condemning falsehood.

We also see John the Baptist calling out about sin. Recall that Herod was living an evil lifestyle? Remember he took his brothers wife and John Nailed him for it. "It is not LAWFUL for you to have her", he cried out.

We must cry out about sin and falsehood. That is why we need to stand against abortion, the MURDER of helpless unborn children. That is why we stand against SPECIAL protection of evildoers .

And when you do you will be called "Judgmental."

Paul deals with this "judging" or discernment in 1 Thess. 5:21-22, “ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

There in three commands he spells out the requirements of a discerning mind. Here Paul says to these people "judge everything" The term here dokimazi means to examine for genuineness, correctness. an we are to do that in everything. Our duty is discernment. examine everything carefully.

This falls right in to the list beginning with verse 16 some basic Christian commands. Discernment is basic to the faith.

Over in Matt 7 Jesus has condemned the hypocritical judging of those who held others to a higher standard then themselves, but he is not forbidding all judgment. We are forbidden to judge motives, that is a divine prerogative Only God can judge the heart because only He knows it according to Heb 4:12. and1 Cor. 4:5.

In John 7:24 Jesus says "judge with righteous judgment, and in 1 cor 10:15 Paul said," I speak as to wise men, you judge what I say."

God requires us to be discerning doctrinally. But also He wants us to be discerning in regard to acts of OVERT sin.

1 Cor. 5:12-13 says" Do you not judge those who are within the church? Those who are outside God judges, remove the wicked man from among you." This refers to that process of discipline referred to in Matt 18:15-20.

At least one other kind of judgment is required of believers, we are to judge ourselves. 1 Cor 11:31 say "if we judge our selves we will not be judged." This calls for a careful soul searching and judging of our own hearts. This is called for as we partake of the Lord's supper(11:28).All other forms of examination depend on this honest self examination. That is what Jesus meant by "Take the log out of your own eye, then remove the mote from another's."

Yet when you call sin sin or error error, you will be accused of being judgmental.

Pr 9:7 He that reproves a scorner gets to himself shame: and he that rebukes a wicked [man gets] himself a blot.

Pr 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Mt 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

So we see that there is a place and time for clear and proper judgment. It is incumbent on all of us to examine ourselves and keep each other straight too. so we see the call You're JUDGING ME, but next note the results:

2. I'm failing you by not calling out in judgment.
Look at verse 14, "He seemed like one that mocked to his sons in law"

Lot had a problem. He tolerated the evil of Sodom, Oh, he hated it don't you forget that, He was vexed by it. 2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 2Pe 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;)

But he didn't take a proper stand against it. He began his trouble way back in Gen 13: 12 when he "pitched his tent toward Sodom". Then when He saw the evil of Sodom He could have boogied, right? The Bible is plain:

Pr 14:16 A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

2Ti 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Re 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Pr 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardens [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

So when sin abounds we are to show the way of grace and also cry out against sin. Lot should have done something earlier. Try to win those boys who were betrothed to his daughters. Cry out or get out from that evil stench.

Now another thing Ezekiel 33: 1 -6 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

You do the warning and God gives the increase. God also handles the punishment of sin. It didn't matter that he failed, the sons in law still died. Died Mocking it seems, doubting judgment.

Jer 5:12 They have belied the LORD, and said, [It is] not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

We saw You are judging me, I have failed you, but note one small thing that is ever so important here :God never fails.

Lot was embarrassed by the sin around him when the angels came, vexed. Also because he lived among them and didn't speak up he lost his testimony it seems. BUT not his standing..2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
Lot blew it big time with His Family and His neighbors, BUT in the eyes of God he was , because of faith, a righteous man. And if you have come in faith to Jesus, you are declared "JUST" as well.

How is your discernment quotient?

How well do you examine your heart before God and deal with the attitudes there?

How well do you study the truth of the word so you may correctly determine its veracity?

How good are you at lovingly confronting a brother in Christ and restoring him to a walk with God? Galatians 6:1)

How often do you speak up for right and truth and how often do you honestly walk away from sin?

Lastly but most important. Are you in the faith?

Have you a Know so salvation?

Have you surrendered your life to the master?

Ponder that, Amen