I share this with you in love hoping we can love one another, fear God, and honor our King Jesus as fellow citizens of heaven. The scriptures clearly tell us that it is God’s place to judge, and yet it is our responsibility to seek to correct a brother or sister where needed. The scriptures tell us how we should deal with one another through love to prevent quarreling. “But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will” (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
A question we should be asking ourselves daily is whether we are living a life that truly reflects a reverent fear of God. As I pan through the countless “Christian centered” online Facebook, forums, and blog posts each day I see many that show a deep reverence to our God, yet I also see many that do not reflect anything close to a reverence of God. These posts, either with intent or without thought, present a pious flippant disregard for the humility that a true servant of Christ should have toward others. Instead, these posts express an “in your face” attitude designed to belittle others that may not agree with the ideas of the author. I often wonder if this same attitude is reflected in the outward lives of these authors as they make the claim to be a servant of the Most High. We are not called to judge others in any way, shape, or form. Instead, we are called to love others allowing room for God to be their judge. Therefore, when we are guilty of passing judgement on others we need to ask God for forgiveness and for the strength to love those we disagree with. Otherwise, we are only going to bring judgement upon ourselves. “You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:1-4).
We are servants of heaven called to do the will of the Father according to His good purpose. “Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:16-17). “Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:17-21). Our time is short here on this earth. Therefore, we must seek unity in the Body of Christ as we love one another, fear God, and honor our King Jesus Christ!
A question we should be asking ourselves daily is whether we are living a life that truly reflects a reverent fear of God. As I pan through the countless “Christian centered” online Facebook, forums, and blog posts each day I see many that show a deep reverence to our God, yet I also see many that do not reflect anything close to a reverence of God. These posts, either with intent or without thought, present a pious flippant disregard for the humility that a true servant of Christ should have toward others. Instead, these posts express an “in your face” attitude designed to belittle others that may not agree with the ideas of the author. I often wonder if this same attitude is reflected in the outward lives of these authors as they make the claim to be a servant of the Most High. We are not called to judge others in any way, shape, or form. Instead, we are called to love others allowing room for God to be their judge. Therefore, when we are guilty of passing judgement on others we need to ask God for forgiveness and for the strength to love those we disagree with. Otherwise, we are only going to bring judgement upon ourselves. “You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:1-4).
We are servants of heaven called to do the will of the Father according to His good purpose. “Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:16-17). “Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:17-21). Our time is short here on this earth. Therefore, we must seek unity in the Body of Christ as we love one another, fear God, and honor our King Jesus Christ!
