Condemning Self While Judging

Rom. 1:28-2:5

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man--you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself--that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

• How God feel about someone who condemns others while they continue sinning?
• What "acceptable" sins are mixed in with the "heinous" sins?
• Which of the sins listed in v. 29-30 could include judging others?
• What can we be sure of in regard to God's judgment?
• What is God thinking when He lets us live after we sin?
• How might judging others and having a hard, unrepentant heart go together?

Harold's Musings:
I know that I have judged people. I am trying to learn to observe the sin as sin and not condemn the sinner. I find this very tough sometimes. Growing up in a "works-oriented" church environment, I have seen gossips judging someone who drinks alcohol. I have seen heartless people condemn another person's choice of style (not immodest, just different). I have seen people seeking Christ driven away by refusing to extend God's kindness to them. I thankful I am getting less and less judgmental. I pray that I continue to grow in extending the kindness and mercy of God. I have such a long way to go.

Blind Judges

Matt. 7:1-5

Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

• On an "Are you a perfectionist?" scale of 1-10, with 10 as the top, how do you rate?
  
• What standard do you use when you judge others?
• By what standard will you be judged?
  
• How do you express your judgment of others?
• What image comes to mind when you read v. 4-5?
• Who do you find easiest to judge?
• What is your motivation when you judge others?

Harold's Musings:
I read a quote many years ago from an unknown author.

We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions.

This seems to be what Jesus is talking about. We tend to have our "I'm OK checklist" that we use to judge ourselves and others, but ignore the standard that God is going to use for everyone. Some of us hold ourselves to high, almost impossible standards and in turn hold others to the same standards. Some of us seem to bob through life tolerating everything, right or wrong. Jesus' warning here is about the standard that will be the key to the final exam. Oh and if you are betting on the grace standard, God expects you and me to use the same measure with others. Watch who you are judging out there today.

Having a Lord is more than words

Luke 6:46

46 Why do you call me Lord, Lord," and not do what I tell you?

Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" 23 And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

• What would a master do to a slave that did not do what they were told to do?
• If you are not willing to obey Christ, why would you want to call Him "Lord"?
• Who would most likely get glory from the actions mentioned in v. 22?
  
• How is it possible to do outstanding, supernatural actions in Jesus' name but not be done as a servant?
• What do these passages say to you about determining who your Lord is?
  

Harold's Musings
What a challenging passage!! I can relate to Jesus here. Over the years I have had employees that seemed to have selective deafness. These employees seem to pick and choose what they want to do; yet they expect their paycheck. Yet I am like them. Way too often I have seen a passage in God's Word that momentarily stirred me to act, but I decided no to do it for whatever excuse or reason that worked at the moment. Perhaps the most challenging part of the passage to understand is where the people who did miracles were considered unknown by Jesus. We were studying this once in a small Bible study group and a teenager pointed out that the people were holding up as examples the glorious things they had done. In Matt. 6:1-17, Jesus criticized those who did right things for selfish reasons. Could we become unknown to Christ by consistently choosing our "spiritual" actions to be seen by men?

Boast in your Lord

2 Cor. 10:17-18

17 "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

• How often do you boast about yourself in some way?
• How often do you boast about your Lord?
• Which of your actions yesterday would Jesus commends ?
• Which of your routine actions would Jesus not commends ?
• Why is it so difficult to only want Jesus' approval and not your own?

Slave Like Christ

Philip. 2:5-11

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• What attitude does a bondservant/slave need to have? [v 7: Greek bondservant]
• To what degree did Jesus exhibit a bondservant/slave's attitude?
  
• Of what importance is the "name" that mentioned in v. 9-10?
  
• Who will confess the lordship of Jesus eventually?
  
• How do you feel knowing you are the bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ and that you wear his name?
• What attitude do you have?

Harold's Musings:
This is probably a familiar passage, but most often we seem to focus on having the same attitude that Christ had. I find it less common to hear us talk about the lordship of Christ in our lives. Here is a promise and a threat. EVERYONE will eventually bow and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. For some it will be too late. While we can be concerned for those people, I have to ask myself, "Am I any different?" Do I bow and confess Jesus as Lord throughout my day? How often do I attempt to overthrough Jesus as Lord in my day? Hmmmm. Wish I hadn't ask those questions.

You belong to the Lord

Romans 14:7-9

7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

• What feelings does "whether we live or die, we are the Lord's" evoke?
• How does belonging to the Lord impact your life? Your death?
  
• Why do you sometimes feel that it doesn't matter what you do?
  
• What reassurance does this passage give you?
• In what ways does this passage challenge you?

Harold's Musings:
There are times that I just want to be left alone. Too many people are expecting something from me and I don't want to be in that position. I just want to be by myself. I've known people who would move to the woods and live as a hermit if they had their way. Sometimes I just want to do what I want to do and not worry about what others think about my actions. I want to speak my mind and not be concerned about whose feelings I hurt. Some people I know seem to do just that. This passage puts the brakes on actually doing these things. I want the freedom to do whatever I want, just like a child doesn't want to be told what to do. But I am not free, I belong to Christ the Lord. Realizing my state should be both the motivation and restraint that I need to live each day.

Slaves to Sin or Christ

Romans 6:16-18, 22-23

16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. ... 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• What is required to be a slave?
• How does recognizing you are a slave make you feel?
  
• How does your culture and historical perspective influence your willingness to accept this passage?
  
• What does a slave to righteousness look like?
  
• What are the benefits of being a good slave of God?
  
• How good of a slave are you right now?

Harold's Musings:
Being an American is a great thing. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech allow me to write this. Our heritage of freedom causes us to be like the Jews in John 8:33. We proclaim our freedom; yet most are slaves to sin. We state we got rid of slave masters with the Civil War. God states we have one of two masters: Christ Jesus or sin. How would your daily walk be different if you fully realized who you were serving throughout the day?

Slaves to a Lord

Deut. 15:12-17

12 If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13 And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed. 14 You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today. 16 But if he says to you, "I will not go out from you," because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you, 17 then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.

• What feelings does this passage provoke?
  
• How would a Hebrew person be "up for sale"?
• What sort of worries would a slave of a good master have?
  
• Why would anyone be willing to be a slave for life?
  
• After Christ redeemed you, what sort of worries should you have?
  
• How frequently do you want your freedom from Christ? Why?
• How glad are you that you are a slave for life to Christ?

Harold's Musings:
There is just something un-American about this passage. Didn't we fight a war to end slavery? The Jewish people could apparently get so deep into "credit card" debt that they could not pay their way out. Someone would pay their debt for them, and in return the debtor would work for their redeemer for a fixed period of time. There was no bankruptcy court. Not repaying the debt was stealing, so someone had to pay. How often do you remember the debts that Jesus paid for you? How often do you look at other "debtors" and want what they "have"? How often do you keep on charging just to meet your desires, even after He redeemed you? Ouch! Why did you ask that, Harold?

Everyone will Confess

Philip. 2:9-11

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• What is so important about a name in this passage?
• In this passage, what actions are expected when Jesus name is stated?
• What does bowing down have to do with confessing?
• Who will confess Jesus as Lord eventually?
• How does the lordship of Jesus (not friendship nor brotherhood, but lordship) impact your daily walk?
• How much glory does God receive from those who see your life?
  

Harold's Musings:
Our democratic, self-centric culture makes it difficult for me to fully grasp the concept of lordship. If we do not like our leaders, we can attempt to vote them out without fear of reprisal. A lord is usually lord as long as they live. A lord is a master, a king, an absolute ruler, who is not to be questioned. A lord is given respect and honor. A lord is obeyed without question or hesitation. Boy, do I struggle to keep Jesus in my heart as LORD. Somedays it is not so hard, others... How about you?

Confess your Lord

Romans 10:8-13

8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

• What does it mean to "confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord"?
  
• How does belief in Jesus' resurrection relate to confessing His lordship over you?
  
• What do you see in US culture today that provides an illustration or parallel to lordship?
• How might the US culture make it difficult to fully grasp the concept of lordship?
  
• How does calling on the name of the Lord relate to confessing Jesus as Lord?
  
• Why is confession an important aspect of being saved?
  
• Is confession a one-time event or a continual process? Why do you think this?
  

You've gotta confess it

John 12:42-43

42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

• How would the authorities have confessed Christ?
• How would the Pharisees know that these authorities had confessed Christ?
• What prices have you had to pay for your confession of Christ?
• Is confession of Christ a one-time thing or a continuous challenge?
• How do you confess Christ in your daily walk?
• When you are reluctant to confess Christ, whose approval are you concerned about?
• What glory from God are you seeking?

Harold's Musings:
Interesting passage. Particularly for those who state that all that matters is believing. These rulers or local authorities believed in Jesus as the Christ, but they stopped at belief. I'm curious about what was obvious when someone confessed Jesus. Somehow the Pharisees would know. Was it just a one-time verbal acknowledgment or was there some continual action? Did those who confessed follow Jesus around as he moved through the city? Where there assemblies where those who had confessed listened to Jesus teach? There was something involved with confession that was noticeable. Are you a Christian in hiding or are you willing to keep on confessing?

Confession of Name

1 Kings 8:33-36

33 “When your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, 34 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to their fathers.35 “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. (ESV)

33 When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against You, if they turn to You again and confess Your name and pray and make supplication to You in this house, 34 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers. 35 When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk And send rain on Your land, which You have given Your people for an inheritance. (NASB)

• What does confess mean to you?
• What comes to mind when you think of having to confess to something?
• Compare your understanding of confess and acknowledge.
• What does confessing God's name mean to you?
• How are repentance and acknowledging God as God connected?
• How does confessing God's name relate to repentance, prayer, and supplication?
• How can confessing God's name with your mouth be different from confession of God from the heart?

Confession of Hope

Heb. 10:19-25

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

• How does your anchor of hope give you confidence to approach God?
• What is the new and living way to the holy places?
• Why should we hold fast to our confession of hope?
• What is the difference between having hope and confessing hope?
• What is the reason for meeting together?
• Considering Hebrews 3:12-14, how should faith, clean conscience, and hope impact how we interact when we meet together?
  

Harold's Musings: When I was growing up, it seemed that Heb 10:25 was the really important part of this passage, with the emphasis on "not neglecting to meet together" as the key point. Over the years, this passage has become much more rich and enlightening to me. Here I see Jesus carrying the anchor of hope as he opened the way to the holy places. There are several challenges here as well. For the moment consider the challenge of holding to your confession of hope. Someone heard you say what you hope in. You have heard others confess their hope. Too often we see this confession as a one time event, but this confession is to a large degree a mission statement, a statement that guides what you do and say. When you meet with another Christian, is your conversation about your joint mission or something else?

Hope as an Anchor

Heb. 6:17-20
17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

• How does knowing that God's purpose has an unchangeable character make you feel?
• What causes you to believe what God says?
• How often do you feel that we are fleeing for refuge in God?
• Why are you strongly encouraged to hold on to the hope in front of you?
• How does your hope in what God has promised anchor you during the storms of this life?
• Where is your hope anchored?

Harold's Musings:
Two images come to mind when I read this passage. First image comes from when we lived in Charleston, SC, which is a major seaport. Large ships arriving daily and these ships have huge anchors connected to the ships with huge chains. The anchor is the only hope these ships have of drifting into harm's way if they are not at the dock. The other image is of a resurrected Jesus carrying a cross-shaped anchor through the torn curtain into the heavenly version of the Holy of Holies and setting it in deeply. Extending from that "anchor" all the way back to me is my hope in the resurrection. Just as a ship captain has to set his anchor and ride out the waves, I need to hang on to my hope in the resurrection. How deeply set is your anchor?