Tag: doing the right thing

Whose Job is it to Judge?

by atozmom, posted in Faith

I have been taught we are not to judge anyone for any reason.  That is it Jesus’ job to judge on Judgement Day.

So when I read that Paul was judging in 1 Corinthians 5:3, I immediately thought, What’s going on here?  So, of course, I researched it and I’m glad I did.

The commandment not to judge comes from Jesus in Matthew 7:1-5.  He says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Well, we all know we will be judged, right?  So in one sense this doesn’t make sense either.

But Jesus is talking about hypocritical judgment, as demonstrated in verses 3-5 with the sawdust analogy.  Jesus is saying we are not to judge others by a standard we ourselves are not willing to be judged by.  So I should not condemn someone for  lying if I myself lie.  But I can if I don’t lie.

However, there’s a caveat to this which Paul brings up in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13.  We are not to judge unbelievers.  This is solely God’s job (which I think is where I was getting this from).

As Christians we are held to a higher standard by God (and rightly so).  We must walk the walk.  God expects more from us just like I expect more from my kids than other people’s kids.  He is our Father, after all!  We are expected to obey God and follow His commandments.  Behave as much as possible like Jesus.  Love one another.  Show compassion to those sufferings, orphans, and widows.  Everything the Bible talks about we are expected to do.

Now, as Paul says next in 1 Corinthians 1:12, “Are you not to judge those inside?”, meaning judging Christians.

Hence, we are to judge Christians who are disobeying God’s commandments but only if we are upholding them (which hopefully as God’s chosen people, we are).  We are to be accountable to one another for our actions.

So how does this apply for me?  Well, I have been operating under the attitude of “It’s none of my business what Suzy-Q does over there”, whether or not she’s a Christian or not.  Now, I realize if Suzy Q is a Christian I need to care about what she’s doing, if she’s following “the Way” as Paul calls the new Christian movement, and call her out if she’s not.  This is my job as a believer–to keep her on the right path so she is ready for Judgment Day.

And if she refuses to correct her behavior?  As Paul says, “you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy…” (1 Corinthians 5:11)  etc.  We do this out of love not out of punishment.  To hopefully get the person to correct their path and fully accept them once corrected.  You must be accountable for your actions or face the consequences, which society today had told everyone there are no consequences or personal responsibility.

This is something I’m going to have to chew on for a bit in order to wrap my mind around.  It makes sense especially when I think of my immediate family.  I get riled when I see something happening around me that goes against my beliefs, but I have always fought the temptation not to say something.  I think I was being prodded to say something but society and culture today has been so ingrained in me that I usually don’t.

In one way it’s a relief.  I don’t have to feel guilty if I tell someone out of love that I think what they are doing is wrong and not in line with God.  It’s refreshing and emboldening to be honest.  And not just my family.  For anyone really.

And it’s something I’m supposed to do.  Something probably just as important as spreading the Good News.

Because we all Fall and sometimes we need someone to confront us on our failures in order to get back on God’s path.  Lovingly and compassionately.  Biblically.

The right thing to do.  Of which we must never tire.  (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

“I Don’t Know What My Future Holds, But I Know Who Holds My Future.”

by atozmom, posted in Book Reviews, Faith

One of Tim Tebow’s, quarterback for the Denver Broncos, favorite sayings and one of mine from his book, Through My Eyes.

If you ever wanted to get to know Tebow better, read this book.  It explains how he ticks, what motivates him, and his single-minded determination to follow his passion (football and specifically playing quarterback)–all with God’s help and all to His glory.

Warning to the ladies:  this book is packed full of football plays, strategy, and game-day moments that for the uninitiated can be very tedious and boring.  Luckily for me, I actually wrote a novel on a football player so I learned all about football and read tons of book on the matter so I now consider myself knowledgeable in the area.

However, it is in these football reminisces that Tebow throws in the God nuggets of wisdom that makes this book great.

For someone so young it is surprising and inspiring really how he is so grounded in life.  He knows what’s important, what’s the goal in life (living for others, fulfilling God’s purpose for you, and giving Him the glory) and he never deviates.  Based on this book, Tebow never engages in stupid teenager stuff (inspiring for those of us parents who are yet to face the infamous teenage years) and he is always pulling for his team and everyone else.

Yet he’s not perfect.  One of my favorite moments was when he is describing a game against LSU.  Apparently LSU students had gotten a hold of his phone number and were relentlessly calling him all week so after a touchdown he and his teammates celebrated and Tebow mocked them (P. 139).  I love this because it is human.  And I think that’s okay.

But I think the part of this book I will always remember is probably one I shouldn’t but I will:  Tebow’s dog, Otis.  Otis was the protector of their family and one day Tebow finds him on their farm mangled, his jaw all twisted and his legs splayed apart unnaturally. The vet informs the family that Otis was probably hit with a baseball bat.  Miraculously, Otis survives and lives a fairly normal life afterwards.

I’m sure this was probably the act of some stupid teenagers trying to pay back Tebow for whatever.  But in my view there is a special place in Hell for those who harm animals and kids and are unrepentant.  I only pray it was just an act of stupid kids and they did repent of it.

Still, as an animal lover, I get riled when people do stupid stuff like this and it cuts me to the core.

I loved this book.  Sure, I’m biased.  I’m a huge Denver and Tebow fan so that helps.  But this book is so encouraging especially to us parents who rue how this world has become when it comes to our kids.  Yet Tebow shows kids can grow up to love God, love others, love the world, and make it a better place without falling into the typical teenage trap of underage sex, underage drinking or doing drugs, immature pranks and acts (like beating up dogs for a stupid revenge or bet), or any other crowd mentality kids tend to follow.

There are many human moments in this book like where Tebow is trying to decide which college to play for and in the end when he does decide he briefly decides to change his mind and then he receives no peace from God over the decision (P. 88).

He talks about doing the right thing on P. 176 which reminds me of Paul 2 Thessalonians 3:13 “never tire of doing what is right.”

Tebow talks about how we all have a platform God has given us that we must use for His glory and how football is that for him.  How we should give everything–victories and disappointments–to God.  How God’s voice is the only voice that matters.

He’s a great example of what living a God-centered life looks like.

Great, encouraging book in these times of so much negativity.  One that will surely lift you up and remind you of the only important thing in this transient world:  God.