Judgement

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Blackburn on February 27, 2009 at 7:00pm

Hi Ben You're right its gets to me too if I come across people with the attitude of "I'm right you're wrong" I've had dealing with people like that before. If someone has such strong believes, you will never get them to relent. The best thing to do is for you to keep that open mind and continue to seek the truth. And remember, all opinions are just that...opinions Keep that faith!!!

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Frank on March 1, 2009 at 3:22am

My thought is this..........there is one Judge and I am not Him (Thank HaShem!). When I know that God is still molding me and that I don't "look" like I should yet and that my theologies are still being sifted........ how can I stand in judgement of other people. But one thing I will point out Ben........as truth seekers......we are called to be searching for more truth and judging whether philosophies or theologies are truth.........like for example, Catholic doctrine........when I have sifted it and tried it against the truth of Scripture.......I find so much error and lies and idolatry! Having said that though, I have known Catholics that are as much truth seekers as I am who were in the Word seeking GOd and I would be a fool to stand in judgement of these or any other PERSON. I think that if we are constantly reaching up and taking our Abba's hand and walking with Him and Learning from Him.........we will have the love and compassion He does, but also the wisdom and discernment of when and how to rebuke a brother if necessary.......and all the while stand humbly knowing we aren't the judges to anyone one on earth. Generally keep ourselves in line is more then what we can handle.......so who has time to straighten out the world!

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Permalink Reply by ronald wayne copeland on March 2, 2009 at 10:20am

when ever I get ready to talk to any one I am mindful of my teaching at bible way church they always exhorted to not bring a reproach against the church and that meant personal conduct especially what was said about others it was expressed that it wasn't a good idea someone being offended. doctrine is what someone believes and convincing and changing believes is more of a benefit of G-ds word than my opinion. I've had dreams of a different denomination than my own and the love I felt for that church and everyone there was strong even though I was always told what others thought about that particular organization. when ever I come across a gathering of the three major religions I wonder what would people thing if I stood up and asked a question? what about the lost tribes of the house of Israel?
SHALOM RON

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Permalink Reply by Ben Cole on March 3, 2009 at 2:00am

thanks guys. Ronald, I always find myself thinking the same thing as far as the lost tribes. I mention to people from time to time that the Jews are only 2 of the original 12 tribes, and usually the response I get is, " where did the other 10 go?" That usually gets them thinking that, well maybe i'm a son of Abraham then. It really is amazing how many many people are starting to ask questions that seem to come out of nowhere, and that's really how I began questioning things. I won't lie, my parents started listening to Ross Nichols, and my response was, are you crazy? That goes against all of the Christian doctrine I was raised on! Until I started seeing drastic changes in my family's life, and really finding out answers that I had had for many years. Rachel, you are right on, I think it would be a very tall task to go out and try to change the world. My intentions aren't to even try and change one person, I just wish that people could see what is G-d, and what is man.That's saying a lot, because it has been that way for thousands and thousands of years, and i'm wasting my time even thinking about it, haha. But, like you said, we should be compassionate to others and show them how someone who really has a heart for Hashem conducts themselves.

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Permalink Reply by Melanie Carroll on March 3, 2009 at 6:54pm

Hi Ben,

For myself ( and I can of course only ever really speak for myself!) Whenever I hear any kind of faith condemnation such as you mention above I am mindful of a Hindu Proverb, God is the string that runs through the strand of pearls. Because at heart any persons search for God and Truth has some aspect of the creator within it just as do all people. Does that mean that all faiths and truths are right? no, but does that mean that we should be tolerant of others faiths and truths - yes. (note please I use the word tolerate here meaning to show respect of it, but in the way that tolerate means to bear something with forbearance, to put up with something not necessarily liked. This is different than accepting something and endorsing it.)
When we condemn, especially with vitriol which you seem to infer was happening here, then I think that we bring ourselves into disrepute and question, we lessen our own position, sound reason works better than rowdy condemnation. I am particularly mindful of it though because of the way in which such condemnation can degenerate into nothing more than wanton hate and can be used as a justification for all sorts of ill.
Judgement is a double edged sword, just look at the story of Jonah and Ninevah and the lesson plan given there. Ninevah was judged but then mercy was applied and forgiveness granted, however Jonah could not accept this giving of grace (despite having been the recipient of such grace himself!) and in turn was judged and punishment or lesson meted out. The lesson - an easy one, yes we are called to do as God tells us, to speak out against wrongness where taught and to show the way to rightness, however the judgement decision is not ours to actaully make, that resides solely with the creator - we only have the right to voice the teachings and to put forward the position of repentence and warnings of what may happen - we dont actaully have the right to make final judgement or attempt to judge others because in the end we are none of us blameless before the lord.
well that's my take on it anyway.

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