Theme: Grace based relationships
Notes and questions:
B1 The issue is
B2 Outline
B3 Judging
Matthew 7:2, For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
There are two ways of judging something.
God’s way
Other
The other I/we usually use is myself, my standards and opinions.
Other methods (not necessarily totally wrong) are doctrine, philosophy, experience, supernatural experience, science, authority (the gov’t or an expert), etc.
I will be judged with the same standard I used to wrongly judge others.
We are weak in that we do not usually know the full circumstances.
Our hearts are easily deceived. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
There are narcissists and others who are good at deceiving. Proverbs 18:17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
The only sure, 100% true way is the Bible properly interpreted.
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
God’s judgment is true. John 8:6 “And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
Ezekiel 18:8 If he has not exacted usury nor taken any increase, but has withdrawn his hand from iniquity and executed true judgment between man and man;
B4 What is the difference between an opinion and conviction?
B5 What is the basis for God’s law? What is the basis for any other law?
B6 Why would God’s law be superior, better, than any other?
God’s law is based on His total character as in truth, love, goodness, mercy, grace, holiness, justice, and many more.
Part is based on God’s holiness.
In Hebrew the word holy, holiness, etc. is קדש, qôdesh, ko'-desh
It means to be clean (ceremonially), separate, and set apart.
It means a being with no flaws in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds, thus separate from anything less than perfection.
The Greek word is ἅγιος hagios. It means sacred, pure, blameless, and consecrated.
The Greek word has the idea of perfection in doing what God requires, so a perfection in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
God is the absolute perfect in holiness.
Part is based on justice.
The Hebrew word is צְדָקָה tsᵉdâqâh, tsed-aw-kaw
It includes: no bias, equal decisions without favoring one over another, based on a standard, doing what is right, conformity to God’s law.
The Greek has a number of different words from decisions, judgment, righteousness, etc.
Specifically, the issue is one who eats anything, or at least most things, versus one who eats only vegetables.
This can be applied in many different ways and issues.
It seems that the one person would not accept the other as a good Christian.
What other examples can you think of?
What does the term weak in faith mean?
Some feel that it applies to the Jew who is saved but still believes that they must adhere to the Old Testament dietary laws.
Some feel that it applies to newly converted Christians. The change from unsaved to saved makes their conscience too tender. They want to honor God as much as any Christian.
It does not refer to saving faith. These people are saved.
1 Corinthians 8:7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (NASB)
Concerning Abraham: Romans 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God
How do we grow in faith?
Why do some become impatient with new Christians?
How can we avoid this?
If someone feels that they must worship on Saturday, is that OK? (Yes, as long as they understand worshipping on Sunday is not the mark of the beast or proof that someone is NOT a Christian.
Should we correct faulty beliefs as this?
Should we get angry at one who has this belief?
What should we remember about judging others? (We have to give an account to God).
Is there any place for judging others?
Can the church judge others?
Is there a place for church discipline?
B11 Next week
Love guides all.
Theme: The Law of Love
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