The debate that includes Christian mothers, values, and judging. It seems to be going a little like this:
[Christian mom #1]
I am a Christian. I believe in particular values spelled out in scripture. I have a few ideas of how to apply them to today's culture.
(these values primarily include discernment, teaching, and growth)
[Christian mom #2]
I am also a Christian. I don't believe in highlighting those values, but instead want to highlight different values spelled out in scripture, and I too, have a few ideas of how to apply them to today's culture.
(these values include patience and acceptance)
[Christian mom #1]
My ideas are of a sound doctrine and are intended to challenge and mature us. Yours are weak and only intended to make Christianity more palatable to those not interested in really growing.
[Christian mom #2]
Stop judging me. Only God can judge me.
I think that's about how it's been going.
So, which one of the Christian moms are you???
And, now, this is where I come in...where this blog post comes in...
Because I know (and probably I'm the only one that knows) the actual arguments I speak of, I'd like to say, in these situations, I actually agree a little with both parties.
However, I lean much more toward being representative of "Christian mom #1", and I will tell you why.
First, let's look at clearing up a few misunderstandings of words:
"Judge":
Christian mom #2 defines judging according to Romans 14:10-12
"Why do you pass judgement on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God, for it is written,
As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."
The dictionary definition to support this view is the definition of the traditional role of judge, someone whose job it is to make a decision in a court of law. This can be found in any (and every) dictionary. So far, Christian mom #2 has a very strong, very solid case. Within that definition, God truly is the only judge.
Christian mom #1 defines judging according to a totally different context.
Let's look at a couple dictionary definitions of the word:
Judge means to first carefully consider something, and then follow it with a decision, a declaration.
Judge is seen as having enough knowledge to give an opinion on something. To give a clearer understanding, let's look at the antonym of the word:
"be no judge of something: to not have enough knowledge to give an opinion about something. To be out of touch (with something), not know the first thing/not have the first idea about something, have no concept of something, lose touch (with something), not have a clue, be no judge (of something), not be any the wiser, pass by, pass, be unconscious of something......."
These are an extension of this link which is brought to a new link here.
So, in essence, to "judge" is really to observe and to offer help, accountability, and the support to help the person grow. What does the Bible say about that?
We are to love our neighbor as ourselves (this is mentioned 8 separate times in scripture). Good deeds are a witness. We should pray for one another. We should edify our neighbor (Romans 15:2). We should be in the world but not of it. We should be equally yolked in our more intimate and important relationships. We should grow enough to remove our own plank, and then help remove our neighbor's speck (the real meaning behind Matthew 7:5 is that we should be open to
In case you didn't know that there are rewards separate from our salvation, here's a little list:
1. The incorruptible crown: 1 Cor. 9:24,25. This is also called the imperishable crown. This crown is given to believers who faithfully run the race, who crucify every selfish desire in the flesh and point men to Jesus. God calls some people to do things that will require some sacrifice in the way they will live and conduct their lives. Some people may be called to be a missionary in a far off and poor country. They will literally be working for almost nothing in earthly terms. They will have to sacrifice the money, possessions and life style they could have had, if they stayed home in their own country. This verse also implies that these people will also receive this crown for the sacrifices they were willing to make for God in order to successfully complete the call and mission God had called them to do.
Basically run whatever race that God has set out for you and be the best you can be for God. Be willing to make whatever sacrifices there may be to successfully complete the mission that God has set out for you.
2. The crown of rejoicing: 1 Thess. 2:19, 20. & Dan 12:3 To those who faithfully are witnesses to the saving grace of God and leads souls to Jesus. This crown has also been named the soul winner's crown. It seems to indicate here that God will be giving a crown to those who have been witnessing to others and leading people to Christ.
Telling others about the grace of God, telling others about Jesus, is the greatest thing that you can do for someone while here on this earth. When you help someone to be led to the Lord, you have just been used as a vessel of God.
God will judge you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others, not necessarily on how many actually get saved, because we are to water and He gives the increase. There are many Christians who are simply too busy to be willing to be used by God to try to lead others to the Lord. God can fit opportunities for you in your life to witness and work for Him if you allow Him to. Some could be your unsaved friends, family members or co-workers, etc.
3. The crown of life: James 1:12. For those believers who endure trials, tribulations, and severe suffering, even unto death Rev. 2:8-11. This crown is also referred to as the martyr's crown.
Jesus says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation and/or physical death on His behalf. Probably being willing to die for your faith in God would be the ultimate sacrifice. It is the greatest act of courage and love that you can show God. Christians who have been martyred for their faith throughout history will not only be given this crown of life, but other rewards once they enter into heaven.
God the Father will honour each ones trials and tribulations and thus will be rewarding them accordingly. Also consider this verse from Rev. 2:10.
"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
4. The crown of righteousness: 2 Tim. 4:8. To those who love the appearing of Christ, who anxiously wait and look forward to the day when He will return for His saints. This crown is given to those who have lived a good and righteous life for God while living down here on earth.
First, if you are a believer you have been made righteous before God the Father as a result of Jesus dying on the cross for all of our sins. This means that the righteousness of Jesus has now been imputed to you.
Second is that it refers to us living a good and righteous life for God the Father with what time we have left down here. There are Christians who are righteous before God the Father as a result of being saved, called Justification, through the blood of Jesus Christ; but they are not living righteous lives in their actions, words and behaviours, called Sanctification. There are some people may be saved in God’s eyes, but who continue to do are still do evil works that the unsaved would do. We all have our flaws, weaknesses, and certain temptations that we may struggle with. It is not perfection but direction that God is looking for. The Bible says that, we all have sinned and have fallen way short of the glory of our God. We all know right from wrong! God just wants each one of us to choose to do the right thing when faced with certain temptations or choices to do something bad. When it is all said and done, these Christians will probably be receiving some of the greatest rewards that God can hand out once they enter into heaven. To live a righteous life for God will really be worth your while as you will definitely be given this crown by God Himself once you enter into heaven.
5. The crown of glory: 1 Pet. 5:1~4. This is the pastor’s crown and will be given to the ministers who faithfully feed the flock of God. . This probably could also include preachers, teachers, Sunday School teachers, missionaries and all those who teach the Word of God in their respective ministries. This crown may signify the importance and sacrifices of bringing up others into the ways of God. God wants those who are saved to grow and learn as much as they can about Him, His Son and His Holy Spirit and to do that he uses mature believers who are willing to each others.
God can use you to teach and shepherd others. God shows you the extreme importance that He is placing on those who teach and preach the word. Being willing to teach and educate others after they are saved is one of the greatest things you can do for them this side of heaven.
Rev. 4:10,11 the twenty–four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honour and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."
As you can see each crown is given to those who do a good work on His behalf and it appears that we will want to place whatever crowns we may have at the feet of Jesus when we come face to face with Him.
This information derived from here.
The Bible speaks clearly about teaching, correcting, helping, and mentoring our fellow believers.
Please click on those links to be taken to numerous passages on the subjects.
Here's Matthew 18:15-17:
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
The message here is simple:
compassion should be a vehicle for truth--not a reason to avoid it.
Salvation occurs the moment you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is all that is needed to be a Christian, and to be accepted into heaven. Salvation includes believing upon Jesus (John 3:18), and repenting for sin (Luke 5:32), and we will be born again (John 3:3). Once that occurs, you have become an infant Christian. We are not to remain in the infant state, but continue to grow and develop ourselves to become more like Christ, so that others can see Him more and more easily through us, because, you see:
There are also fake Christians (2 Corinthians 11:26, Matthew 13:38, John 8:44).
There is a fake gospel (Galatians 1:8).
There are fake ministers of that gospel (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
There is a fake church (Revelation 2:9).
There are fake doctines within that fake church (1 Timothy 4:1).
There is fake righteousness (Romans 10:3).
There is a fake Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10, Revelation 13:8).
Someday, I will be called to the stand. I will have to give an account for my own life, which will include opportunities I've been given to offer support and counsel to others. I am, in fact, my brothers keeper (Genesis 4:9), and I have a Christian responsibility as your sister.
I am not the Judge.
I am His witness.
I will tell the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth, as God helps me to (and I will do it nicely).
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| "But they will have to give account to Him..." 1 Peter 4:5 |
