No Place for Hypocrisy

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.   Romans2:1-2  NKJV

I am sure we have all heard or been accused at one time or another of “judging” someone else.  It seems all too common lately as our society has moved in the direction of requiring people to agree with ideas whether we want to or not.  Unfortunately, the accusation of judging is a result of misunderstanding the very definition and nature of the word.  I often use the analogy of being stopped by an officer of the law after being observed to violate any of the many laws which govern our society. Speaking only for myself, it’s usually for exceeding the speed limit.  The officer is not “judging” me by pointing out my violation, but rather telling me he observed me breaking the law.  The truth is, it is the judge in the courtroom who passes the sentence for my violation who does the “judging”.

The truth is, judging someone else is an action.  It is choosing to punish, in one way or another, someone else who we feel deserves it for their beliefs or actions.  In the body, it should go without saying that attempting to judge another is usurping the responsibility of God the Father, who makes it very clear in many different places in the Word that He alone will judge.  It also should be clearly evident that none of us has any right to judge another as we all have sinned and will continue to do so until that time we are transformed from this body of sin and the sin nature that comes with it.  In fact, there is a word Jesus used to describe those who judge, which most of us would find patently offensive, and that is the word hypocrite. 

I’m sure most, if not all of us, would be very offended if someone were to call us a hypocrite, yet that is what Jesus often called those Pharisees and religious leaders who wanted to use their religion to judge others.  In Romans chapter 2, Paul explains God’s judgment, and shows us at least four of the mistakes hypocrites make when they attempt to judge others. 

They blame.  Hypocrites choose to point the finger at someone else without knowing the whole story.  It is making an accusation without knowledge of the whole story.  The reason God reserves the right to judge is He is the only one who knows the heart, and the motive behind the action.  Hypocrites are quick to blame, and as a result are most often wrong.  In verse two Paul tells us God’s judgment is “according to truth,” based on His knowledge of all the facts, as opposed to our ignorance of them.

And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?   Romans 2:3  NKJV

They are brash.  Hypocrites are self-righteous because they underestimate God’s perfection and overestimate their own.  They attempt to sit as a judge of others without the realization they are standing in front of the real judge, God the Father.  As verse three tells us, those who choose to do that will themselves be judged.

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?          Romans 2:4  NKJV

They are bitter.  Bitterness is a result of thinking God will not fulfill His responsibility.  Hypocrites “despise” “God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering,”.  Hypocrites want to see judgment occur immediately, and fail to take into account the patience of God’s love for us as sinners.  What they perceive to be leniency is simply God’s everlasting patience.  This, however, offends their desire to see action in the form of punishment and their impatience causes them to become bitter.

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”   Romans 2:5  NKJV

They are blind.  Hypocrites have no problem seeing other people’s sin, but seem to have no idea of their own.  “Hardness” and “impenitent” can be described as stubborn and unrepentant.  The hard heart will lead to deafness of God’s Word, and the lack of repentance shows blindness to their own condition. 

  

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.   Romans 12:9-19  NKJV

I find it revealing that Paul ends his treatise on God’s judgment by telling us as believers just how we are to live in relation to those who we might feel have offended us.  Having the desire to see deserved judgment applied is a normal reaction to those who desire to live a righteous life.  Yet we must never let that desire cause us to cross the lines of responsibility and try to take matters into our own hands by punishing someone else for perceived offenses.  It is God’s place to judge, and He reserves that task for Himself.  As Paul explains, our response is to act in love towards those who offend with the knowledge that, as sinners, we all have offended God and deserve punishment.  Is it too much to ask of a believer that we live as God commands and leave the judging to Him?  Love conquers all.

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Do You Really Love Him?

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”                   John 14:15  NKJV

Most of us have, at one time or another experienced the joy that comes from knowing someone loves us.  I am equally sure that most of us would agree that there is no greater feeling than to know someone cares about us in a loving way.  Like many parents, over the years I have saved many of the little notes that I received over the years from all three of my daughters.  The notes were written on different occasions, and some are long while others are just short sentences, but they all had one thing in common and that was that they all expressed their love for me.  I do, in fact, have a sticky note from my youngest daughter on my computer that she wrote just a few weeks ago which says she loves me, and she is now in her thirties.

As I sat and thought about those years, I began to remember all the little things that they had done as they were growing up in order to show their love for me.  Some were big, some were small, but the one thing they all had in common was that whatever it was, it was demonstrative.  In other words, they were not content to just say they loved me, but rather they wanted to show me they did by doing something they knew I would enjoy.  I think it would be fair to say we would all agree that when we truly love someone it is a natural desire to want to do something in order to show that person just how much we care.  It also stands to reason that we would seek to know the person well enough to give them something we know they would want and enjoy.

Obviously as believers we should have the desire to know God in such a way as to demonstrate our love for Him in ways that we know would please Him.  We do that by studying His Word and developing our relationship with Him in order to know Him better. In the passage above from the book of John, Jesus tells us just what God wants from those who claim to love Him, and that is obedience to His Word.  In this chapter, as well as the next, Jesus repeatedly explains that what God wants most, and expects, is that those who claim to love Him follow His commandments.

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."           John 14:21  NKJV

Jesus makes it clear that the proof of our love for the Father is the desire to please Him by knowing and following His commandments.  So how logical does it seem that many today believe the greatest threat to the Church is the attack on the authority of the Scriptures?  It shouldn’t come as a surprise considering we are shown exactly how Satan works by looking at what happened in the Garden of Eden when the world is introduced to the deceiver for the very first time.  How does he choose to attack?  His intent is to always try to create doubt about the very Word of God.

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; "but of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' "Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.”                             Genesis 3:1-4  NKJV

In other words, God said it, but He really didn’t mean it?  How often today do we hear those same words or something similar when the Word of God commands a certain course of action which the world may find objectionable?  More and more today we see examples of the Church compromising on certain commandments we find in the Word in order to be “politically correct”, or simply ignoring the facts presented in the Word and creating a god which fits their own desires and beliefs.  As believers though, the question the Church should be asking is simply this; “do you really love Him”?  If you truly love someone your concern is how best to show them your love in a way that they would appreciate.  When it comes to our relationship with God, He has already made it clear how best to please Him.

"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.”                    John 15:10  NKJV

I think the key word in this passage, and the answer to how best know what God expects is contained in the word “abide”.  In the Greek the word is “meno” which means “to sojourn, abide in or tarry, or continue to be present”.  In other words, by striving to keep God’s commandments we are pleasing Him, and as a result are able to live our lives in a relationship with our Father in which He can manifest His love for us just as we do for Him.  I like how David describes the relationship we can have with our Father if we seek to please Him in this way.

“ALEPH. Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed [are] those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. You have commanded [us] To keep Your precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.”              Psalms 119:1-6  NKJV

Do you really love Him?  Are you trying to please Him, or please yourself?  You see, that is what it really all comes down to.  We either do what we know is pleasing to God, or we choose to do what pleases us.  My daughters looked for ways to make me happy, either by writing little notes or doing things for me they knew I would like.  That was their way of showing me they loved me.  Are you looking for ways to show God you love Him?  You do that by studying His Word and keeping His commandments.

"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?”         Luke 6:46  NKJV

If you have never made the choice to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and question where you may spend eternity, may I encourage you to pray to Him today and confess your sins, ask Him to come into your life, and begin to experience a life filled with the joy which comes from trying to please Him.. Simply pray the following prayer;

Jesus I know I am a sinner. I have sinned against you, but I know you loved me enough to send your Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins and then rise from the dead so that I may live forever with You. Lord forgive me of my sins and come into my life and help me to begin to live for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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The Father's Discipline

Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.  Psalm 119:67  NKJV

“Just wait until your father comes home”!  Those words, of course, were the most dreaded any of my siblings or I ever wanted to hear.  Unfortunately, I seem to recall hearing them quite a lot as I was growing up.  I also have plenty of memories of the judgment I received for a few of my more notable transgressions.  Yet I truthfully can never recall receiving correction that wasn’t well deserved, nor punishment that didn’t fit the crime.  The lasting effect of loving correction was to awaken in me the realization that if I failed to follow the path expected of me, judgment would swiftly follow.

A fact that seems to escape many believers today is the stated principle in the Word of God that our Father will correct us in exactly the same way if we stray from the path He expects us to walk on.  While most would agree that the Bible spells out exactly what the Father’s expectations are concerning how we are to live our lives as His children, many would also dispute that much of what we would consider troubles in this life are actually God’s attempts to correct and/or discipline us for not following His Word.  If you look closely at the passage from Psalms, notice the progression David shares with us.  He chose not to keep God’s Word, he went astray, and the Father afflicted him.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”   Hebrews 12:5-6  NKJV

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.”   Proverbs 3:11-12  NKJV

chastening    mûwçâr… properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction

David, although he knew better, made the choice to ignore God’s instruction and go astray.  What resulted was God’s judgment on him as a means of correction with the expectation that he would realize his mistake and choose to follow God’s instruction.  Something I slowly figured out as I started to study scripture as a young believer is something I like to call the rule of opposites. I suppose it goes something like this; in the Christian life there is no middle ground, or gray areas where we can “negotiate” with God. Either we do as God desires, or we do the complete opposite.  I suppose there are many examples in life we could use to illustrate this principle such as black and white, up and down, or simply good and evil. I think you begin to get the picture. Yet as a believer I find myself looking at things in in a way many might consider overly simplistic. You see, in my way of thinking, we either do it God's way or Satan's way.

I think it entirely possible that statement might offend some, yet if you think about it, isn't it a logical conclusion? The Bible tells us, and certainly illustrates by many examples, that God looks at our behavior in just this way. Either we do as He commands, or we follow Satan’s alternative. Remember that old classic song “I Did It My Way”? The truth is, it wasn't really your way it was Satan's way if it didn't follow God's way. I have always been troubled by believers who seem to think there is nothing wrong with ignoring God's commands if they can somehow “justify” their behavior in their own minds, as if it is possible to negotiate with God! Notice how children try to negotiate with you in order to get what they want?  Unfortunately, God has a message for His children who think they can get Him to change His mind.

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.”   Job 5:17-18  NKJV

We should never forget that Satan’s first attack in the Garden of Eden was to cast doubt on the Word of God.  He still uses the same tactic today as the world will tell us that God didn’t really mean what He said and we can feel comfortable changing the Word to conform to whatever it is we wish it to say.  The unfortunate reality is that God’s children often choose to ignore His Word and wander in another direction.  Equally unfortunate is the fact that just like children, some are easily turned back by gentle correction while others are stubborn and place themselves in a position to receive a more severe discipline from the Father.  The passages above should make it abundantly clear that God will not hesitate to judge and discipline his children for disobedience when it is deserved.  Looking to the world for answers or guidance in dealing with the problems we might face in this life will lead to only one inescapable result and that is correction and discipline from God.

“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.”    2 Peter 3:3-6 NKJV

I personally find this to be one of the most depressing passages in the Bible. Why? Because if you study the context of the entire book, you find that Peter is describing the problems that will arise in the Church in the last days, and the "scoffers" he is talking about are actually believers. How is it possible that someone who says their hope is in God and claims to be a believer, could doubt the very promise we have been given concerning His return? For the very reason Paul tells us about in Romans.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV

They choose to do the 'unreasonable" thing by letting their actions be controlled by "their own lusts", and as we know by now if your actions aren't controlled by God, they are obviously controlled by Satan. To some that might sound harsh, but the reality is that the rule of opposites applies. Either we put our lives under God's control as a "reasonable" (logical) decision, or we go the other way.  We either look to God’s Word for answers, or to the world which is controlled by the evil one. Peter, Paul, David, and many others throughout the Word make it clear that the unfortunate result for those who choose the wrong way is God's judgment. God may delay, but He never changes His mind. Those who choose the wrong path will pay, and pay dearly.

Every day we can look at the world in which we now live and see the arrogance of those who have chosen to reject God's advice and look to the world for answers. If you have chosen to believe that you are a sinner, and have accepted the gift of salvation offered by God through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, you can rest easy with the knowledge that as a loving Father, He will always correct us with proportionate discipline.  It’s our stubbornness which dictates the severity of the correction.  Listen to God when He speaks and spare yourself the Father’s “chastening”.

Life as a member of God’s family is the most rewarding relationship anyone can experience.  Not only can we live with His promise to provide and help us in this life, we also look forward to the promise of eternal life with Him in the place He has prepared for us.  If you have never made the decision to become a member of God’s family, I hope you would choose to do it today.  You can do that by simply praying to God wherever you are with a simple prayer like this;

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

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Is the Earth Trembling?

"The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were afraid; The depths also trembled. The clouds poured out water; The skies sent out a sound; Your arrows also flashed about. The voice of Your thunder [was] in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook. Your way [was] in the sea, Your path in the great waters, And Your footsteps were not known. You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron."    Psalm 77:16-20 NKJV

When I talk with people about the command to watch, the question naturally arises as to just exactly what are the sorts of things we should watch for?  That is a very good question, and one that I believe every one of us should ask ourselves in light of what the Word tells us about signs of the end of the age and the nearness of Christ’s return.

In this passage from the book of Psalms, the author is troubled and in despair so he thinks back to the past and the times that God manifested Himself in human history by actions man could only describe as supernatural. The verses above refer to the time that God led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt and through the Red Sea on their journey to the Promised Land. Now I think the important point to make here is that although Moses and Aaron were used by God to shepherd His people, it was God Himself who led them.

"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, [from] before the people."    Exodus 13:21-22 NKJV

Now why do I think this is important? Look closely at the passage from Psalms and notice what the author says the reaction of the earth was to the presence of God. Do you see what I see? We are told the waters were afraid, the depths trembled, there was a downpour of rain, thunder along with lightning that lit up the entire world, and not to mention earthquakes that shook the earth. Yet to me, the most important part of this passage is the fact that it does not say God “caused” these things to happen, rather it was a response of the earth to actually “seeing” the presence of God.

Right about now some of you are probably thinking wait just a minute here; do you really believe the earth can “see”? Well, why not? Not only do these verses say it does, we are told elsewhere that the earth can talk too.

"Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: " 'Blessed [is] the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."    Luke 19:37-40 NKJV

So if we are to believe what the Bible tells us, the earth has and can react to the presence of God in physical ways, some of which might surprise us. Is that really so hard to believe? After all, the earth was created by God just as we were created, so who knows what physical reaction could be produced by the approach of the power which created it? This is the question that I would like you to think about in light of some of the things happening in the world right now.

"For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only [that], but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."                              Romans 8:22-23 NKJV

Why does the entire creation groan? No doubt because of the changes brought about by the fall in Genesis where even the shape of this world was altered by the introduction of sin. Notice that Paul is telling us here that both nature and man are waiting for the exact same event; the return of Christ! And the reason we groan? We as believers know what we will receive when Christ calls us home to be with Him forever. The anticipation of leaving this earth grows every day as we watch the events around us which give evidence that the world is, like in Noah's day, moving farther away from God rather than towards Him.

Most of us would agree the Bible clearly teaches that there will be signs that precede the return of Christ, many of which are physical in nature. Events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis can explain many of the events described as occurring just before Christ returns. Many of these things are beginning to happen right now in various places in the world, and most of those who are watching and waiting for His appearing believe the time is very close. Jesus Himself said this about the signs that would appear just before His return.

"For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."  2 Peter 3:5-7  NKJV

We have heard for the past few months of an increase in minor earthquakes in California that scientists were at a loss to explain.  So many occurred that they were labeled as “swarms” and no one could agree as to what they might mean except for the usual warnings of a major earthquake possibly happening.  This not only came to pass this last week on the Fourth of July, it was followed a day later by an even larger one.  As of this morning, there have been over 1600 aftershocks in just over two days with no signs of slowing down.  Could an even larger earthquake be in the immediate future?  According to the latest warning from seismologists there is an 11% chance of another major quake this coming week.

"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near--at the doors!"    Mark 13:29 NKJV

So here is my question for today; does God cause these things to happen, or just like the events in Exodus when God came to earth to lead His people away, is the earth reacting to His approach once again? Is it possible that the increase in frequency and intensity of physical events is because the closeness of Jesus returning for His church is causing a physical reaction by the earth?  If we consider what the Bible has to say as being the true and faithful Word of God, I would suggest that we should, as well as understanding that by what we are told, this is only the beginning.

"Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry."    2 Samuel 22:8 NKJV

My feeling, along with many others, is that time is quickly running out for the Church to accomplish its work here on earth, and it would come as no surprise to hear the trumpet blow and our call to go home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at any time.  If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to allow Jesus Christ to come into your heart, and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by simply praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

Is the earth trembling?

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