Thursday, December 21, 2006

It is not wrong to be "judgmental."

Do you know what? I am tired of hearing Christians accuse other Christians of being “judgmental.” Let’s just get one thing straight, OK? If I am a Christian and you say you are a Christian, I have every right to judge the fruit of your walk in Christ.

If you are hanging out with bad company, if you are getting drunk or smoking or doing drugs, if you are watching things you shouldn’t watch, if you are gossiping or slandering, if you are dressing immodestly, if you are shirking responsibility, if you are rebelling against authority, then I have every right to call you on it. And you don’t get to call me judgmental!

If you are preaching a gospel other than the one we have been given in His word, if you are claiming something that is not biblical, if you are coming against His church or His people, if you are slandering the name of Christ by the way you live your life, if you bring shame to Him rather than glory, then I have every right to judge you!

If you say you are a Christian, and I observe a backward way in you but say nothing, am I loving you? Am I doing my service to you as a sister in Christ if I sit back and let you destroy yourself? It is not wrong for a Christian to judge another Christian if it is done by the standard of God’s word.

“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.” Matthew 7:16-18

“Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself lest you too be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

November 22nd Journal Entry, Unedited and Uncut

I received a greater light tonight while praying for my son before bedtime. At the end of my prayer, I prayed that the Lord would put a great love in Logan’s heart for the Living God. As I prayed this I felt God affirming me as His daughter and He let me for a short time experience His fatherly love for me as I have never before felt it.

I have been complaining in my heart a lot lately and ungrateful for my position on this earth. Sometimes I am even resentful of my affluence and religious freedom because I fear that my reward in heaven shall be less because I am not persecuted.

But my Dad in heaven hath shown me that all has been given to me as a gift from Him. He wants me to have it and He is pleased to give it. And I should be thankful for it so long as it is mine because He loves me and wants my happiness. And should I walk around grudgingly and without thankfulness, I am shirking His gift. I am throwing it back in His face and labeling it unacceptable. But, alas! He is the Potter and I, the clay. And the thing molded shall not say to the one who molded it, “Why have you made me like this?” Nor shall the thing made say to its maker, “Why have you placed me here?” For its Maker shall place the vessel wherever He pleases.

And God has placed me here and here I shall follow Him and that with an uncomplaining heart.