Judge Not?

Matthew 7:1-6 (read this first)

Of all the verses in the Bible, Matthew 7:1 is probably one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. More often than not, the people who use it are people who are living in sin, whether they be saved or unsaved. The interpretation is that it isn’t the responsibility of people to point out the wrongs of other people. Each person needs to simply focus on themselves and their own problems. However, the later verses go on to tell how to approach someone who is living in sin. While this may seem like a contradiction to some, it actually presents both a sensitive and also a proper way to go about correcting someone,

The first thing we need to do to understand this passage is to knock out that first verse. To do this, we should look at the key word here: judge. Judge is a name for God, and can be found in passages such as Psalm 96:13, Acts 10:42 and Ecclesiastes 11:9. A judge is someone who hands out a sentence. If God is the Judge, He is the one who either sentences people to Heaven or sentences people to Hell. When the Bible says judge not, it is essentially saying to not be God. It’s one thing to tell someone they’re doing something wrong. It’s another thing entirely to play God and act like we have the authority to determine their eternal destiny. Jesus reminds us in the second part of the verse that if we start judging others, our same works-based standard will be used against us. Considering one sin is enough for God to banish us to Hell, this is not something anyone should want.

Now, how can we approach this? Is it right to tell someone that they’re doing something wrong? Well, yes and no. The no comes into play with unbelievers. It’s one thing to show an unbeliever what he or she are doing so they can know they’re lost, but there’s a certain movement in Christianity that tries to do otherwise. This widespread movement likes to ostracize itself from the unsaved community, save for the few times they decide to point fingers at them and try to force them to live like Christians. We can’t expect unsaved people to behave like saved people. Psalms 51:5 tells us that we’re all born into sin, and sin is all we know before we come to Christ. Instead of teaching an unbeliever how to live right, why not lead them to the One who can give them the desire to?

The yes in this answer is outlined in the remaining verses of our passage. No, this does not literally mean that people have planks of wood and specks of dirt in their eyes. That’d be weird and somewhat painful. What this does refer to is self-examination. Jesus wants us to know that before we go to another believer and tell him he’s committing sin, we need to take some time to look at ourselves. This isn’t so we can realize we’re sinners too and have no right to say anything. It’s so we can get right with God on anything we might have committed against Him so that our actions will be righteous.

Judging and confronting are two completely different things. One we have no right to do, and one we are encouraged to do. In fact, much of Paul’s letters to the different churches were him confronting them on ungodly actions. We just should never forget to come before the Lord first and examine ourselves.

Division

I know, I know. It’s been stinkin’ forever. Seriously, I’ve gotten married and had like three kids since the last time I blogged.

The above text has by been by many experts labeled sarcasm.

I actually do have something(s) to talk about, so I’d best get right to it. Basically, I’ve been extremely turned off lately by Christians being divided. Maybe this is because I’ve experienced quite a bit of it lately. Maybe it’s also because I’ve been doing a semester-long study out of 1 Corinthians. Whatever my reasoning may be, it doesn’t change how messed up it is that we get split up over the stupidest (to put it lightly) things.

“I’m Baptist!”

“I’m Pentecostal!”

“I’m Presbyterian!”

“I’m Calvinist!”

“You’re an idiot!!!!”

I’ve heard either those exact lines or lines similar to them so much lately. Go and read the beginning of 1 Corinthians. Paul slams these people on the pavement for having divisions among them. I’m not saying at all that we can’t have personal views or beliefs on what the Bible says or doesn’t say. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know everything. Far from it. Some issues are best left not debated. My point is why can’t we unite under the beliefs we do share?

Man fell. (Genesis 3)

Man is separated from God doomed to eternal separation from God. (Romans 3:23)

Jesus came and gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 5:8)

We now have forgiveness offered to us if we accept it. (Romans 10:9)

That’s in a bit of a nutshell, but I’m not here to witness. I’m here to reach out to fellow believers and beg them to realize that we all share these basic beliefs, and those are what truly matter. Don’t let these petty differences keep us from focusing on the real mission, which is to go and lead lost souls to Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Hope these words were blunt but helpful.

God Bless,

Colin

drummerboiz19@yahoo.com

Christian Music

I just feel the need to write about this since I’ve gotten this quite a bit at my work lately. The topic, if you haven’t already gathered from the title, is Christian music. More specifically, legalism in the Christian music movement. This note might be what most of my friends want to hear, and might push the buttons of others. Whatever the case, I hope it’s enjoyable. I may throw a verse or two in here, but this isn’t so much a Bible study as it is a practical viewpoint on the music culture in general. Just thought I’d clear that up before people thought I lost my Bible or something.

One phrase that drives me up the wall is “This song doesn’t sound Christian.” Really? It’s probably good I hear that phrase mostly at work, otherwise that individual might be subjected to a brutal wakeup call. Honestly, what’s Christian when it comes to music? Words aside, is there really a beat, tune, singing style or loudness that makes a song less spiritual? Psalm 33:3 tells us to “sing a new song” to God, and Revelation 14:3 speaks of the choir of Heaven singing a new song to God. God hosts a band of musical revolutionaries in Heaven that would put The Beatles to shame! If God’s open to new styles music, why shouldn’t we be?

In response to my earlier question about something making a song less spiritual, the answer should be clearer now. No style is against God. Hard Rock and Heavy Metal came as a way of bringing raw emotion to music. Punk Rock came as a means of rebelling against the norm. Hip Hop and Rap came as a way of putting spoken word to a beat. All of these can be used for God. In fact, some of the most worshipful songs I’ve heard have been Rap songs. As for Rock music, they have more honesty in their music than most Christian have in their little finger. How often do you hear Christians openly talk, let alone sing, about how they struggle sometimes in their faith? People need this. One of the major problems in Christianity are the people with problems. They get into a spot in their walk where they think they’re the only ones going through what they’re going through. Something can be said of people who come forward and are honest about what they are feeling and experiencing.

A common argument I’ve heard is that hymns are the only holy form of music. This simply comes from the fact that they go so far back and were written by such godly men and women. What people fail to realize is the origin of the hymns. Most of our hymns are either former bar tunes with new words or based on the sound of bar tunes. This has everything to do with the style that was popular at the time. Many of the popular singing songs were drinking songs. The people that wrote these amazing hymns that we have today recognized the fact that it’s simply the words that matter. The style can be anything, but it all comes down to what the song is actually communicating.

How do you measure how Christian a song is? Remember, style can only scrape the surface of it. The real truth comes down to the words. Do they point you toward God or tear you away? Hopefully this brings a new perspective to this ever-growing debate.

Colin

Life Update

And, life continues on. Big surprise there!

The past several days have been the same basic routine. Wake up. Work. Sleep. Wake up. Be lazy. Sleep. Beat head against wall. Maybe just a little excitement? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze?

Got my bill for this coming semester in the mail today. $1,008, not including any scholarships I might receive. If I don't get any, I might just put it on a student loan. I'm only a little over $1,000 deep in loans right now, and I only have one other semester besides this one. God is good.

Later this month, I'm going on vacation with my family to Georgia. We'll be in the northern part, so we'll be seeing some mountains and doing some hiking. Mountains have always been my dream getaway, and hopefully I'll get to live there at some point. That and Ireland. Living in Ireland would be pretty amazing. Or New Zealand. Or anything else that ends in "land". I've always physically been a city boy, but I've never truly been a city boy. Cities are loud, busy, rude and gross. Bleh.

Well, that's everything remotely interesting happening in my life right now. Not all my blog posts are gonna be about my life, but I'll keep you guys and gals updated from time to time. My next post will more than likely be another one of those spiritual note things I do, so stay tuned.

I think you can subscribe to this blog, but I'm not sure how that works. Anyway, peace.

Colin

The First Of Many

I’ve reflected the past few days on where my life has been headed. I know that sounds like your typical 21 year old college brain at work, but hey, if you’re reading this it must mean you’re somewhat interested in what I have to say, so DEAL WITH IT!

Just kidding

But seriously, almost six years ago, my life changed completely. I thought for sure I had it all planned out. I thought for sure that I knew exactly where my life was headed. Then, God hit me upside the head and showed me what He really had in store. Within a few days, I went from knowing exactly what I was doing to not knowing a thing. I just accepted that God wanted to use me for something He had yet to show me. Honestly, He still has yet to completely show me. I would be lying if I said I was completely comfortable in this new path He’s leading me down. In all honesty, moving back to where I was has crossed my mind several times over the past several years. The peace has come gradually, though, and I’m sure I’m where God wants me to be.

Life in general is loaded with curve balls. Just when we think we have some kind of routine down, something happens that completely throws us off. We’re almost like ants. We go about doing the same things each day, but if anything new happens we scatter and panic. God’s desire for us is to trust Him in everything. There is no random. There is no coincidence. God has set every event into motion, and He has complete control over your life as well as everyone else’s. Next time something unexpected and unwelcome happens in your life, pray and seek God to see what it is He might have for you.

Isaiah 55:8

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.