Do Not Judge Others

We are now in an era where we are quick to condemn our neighbours without hearing from them. Even when we hear from them we do not believe in them. This is similar to what happened in the book of John Chapter 8.

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and when they had set her in the midst,

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned, but what sayest thou?

                                                                                  John 8:3-5

 

In the passage above, certain people caught a woman in sinful act and were ready to judge as laid down by law. Thank God that they sought the opinion of God by asking Jesus – What sayest thou? In other words we should not ascertain events based on passed judgements alone but we should be current with God on all matters. God is not interested in the death of sinners. He desires that all should live and not die. There was a time when people were planning to invite a minister for a particular programme in church and a particular minister pencilled down but someone objected because that minister did not stay in the village he was posted to serve. However, God sent this word to the Church –

For this reason let there be no judging before the time, till the Lord comes, who will make clear the secret things of the dark, and the designs of the heart; and then will every man have his praise from God.

                                                                   1 Corinthians 4:5 (BBE)

This word kept everyone quiet. It declares that we should be patient enough for God. Do not be hasty to condemn anyone. Allow the Spirit to judge not your imaginations or friends’ opinion. Jesus’ said “I judge no man” (John 8:15). Adding that His judgement is true because God the Father is with Him (John 8:16). Man can make mistake not God. God seeks and knows why certain things occur. May be you have condemned someone for taking another man’s money to eat A MEAL or condemned a man for not being able to meet up with family expenses. Have you thought of what could be behind it? PLEASE AVOID JUDGING OTHERS HASTILY. It is for our own good. I conclude with this verse of the Bible in Matthew 7:1 – Be not judges of others, and you will not be judged (BBE). It is my prayer that God will forgive us our sins for judging others and most especially for judging wrongly. SHALOM.

Candid Advice to God's Ministers

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his, And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

                                                                          2 Timothy 2:19

God’s candid advice to ministers or as many that declare Christ is that they should depart from iniquity. Iniquity is a reducing agent. It makes the great small. Samson was no doubt a great man of God but iniquity turned him to a ‘stand up comedian’ (Judges 16:25). When I see churches/men of God invite stand up comedians to perform in church programs I perceive that something has gone wrong somewhere just as it went wrong with Samson. Yes, it is good to be excited and joyful in church and that is God’s own idea too but not a mechanical thing. It is meant to be orchestrated by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life in THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

                                                                           Psalms 16:11

The passage above says IN GOD’S PRESENCE THERE IS FULNESS OF JOY. It means that His presence alone releases joy. The difference between the joy of His presence and that engineered by men of God through invitations of comedians is that inner strength comes from that of God (Nehemiah 8:10) while that of stand up comedians is superficial. Jesus never sought to use stand up comedians before preaching the gospel, so where are we getting it from? In the beginning it was not so. This is not to say making people to laugh is wrong but it is vital to draw lines between church activities and entertainment. Church activities must be kept spiritual rather than being reduced to mundane activities.  God is counting on us as ministers to put things right. We should not adopt any strange method to draw people into the church. Let us keep the standard of the Holy Apostles and Prophets of old (Ephesians 2:20). God is watching our activities and church programs. Let us be more attentive to the Holy Spirit. May the Lord find His ministers and church worthy of the call in Jesus’ name. Amen.