Lost Fear
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
I find all to many people calling themselves Christians do not fear the judgement of God. They do a lot of things that are not pleasing to God.
James states,
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:19-21.
If you claim to be a Christian do not dismiss what James is saying. James was writing to Christians.
He tells Christians to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger” He tells Christians to get rid of “all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent”
Whether we like it or not Christians do have things going on in our life that God does not like.
Think about this. Jesus tells us to Love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. Do you. Do you honestly think Jesus likes it when we demonstrate and try to restrict the rights of those we disagree within the secular democracy in which we here in North America live in.
Jesus and his disciples did not demonstrate against anyone in the secular government of Rome. He a Jew did speak out against other Jews who would misuse the Word of God. That was his right.
However Jesus said,
"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.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul tells Christians,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
To disobey these words is sinning and will not win one person to Christ. God is the only one who can judge people. Christians are told not to.
We as Christians are to operate within the laws of the country in which we live. The apostle Paul tells us.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1,2.
Paul wrote that while living under the rule on Nero. Who persecuted Christians and eventually put Paul to death.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’" Peter 2:9-12.
If you claim to be a Christian are you living such a life. If not you need to be confessing your sins to God and asking God to show you how to live such a holy life.
Remember what the writer of Hebrews said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
I find all to many people calling themselves Christians do not fear the judgement of God. They do a lot of things that are not pleasing to God.
James states,
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:19-21.
If you claim to be a Christian do not dismiss what James is saying. James was writing to Christians.
He tells Christians to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger” He tells Christians to get rid of “all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent”
Whether we like it or not Christians do have things going on in our life that God does not like.
Think about this. Jesus tells us to Love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. Do you. Do you honestly think Jesus likes it when we demonstrate and try to restrict the rights of those we disagree within the secular democracy in which we here in North America live in.
Jesus and his disciples did not demonstrate against anyone in the secular government of Rome. He a Jew did speak out against other Jews who would misuse the Word of God. That was his right.
However Jesus said,
"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.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul tells Christians,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
To disobey these words is sinning and will not win one person to Christ. God is the only one who can judge people. Christians are told not to.
We as Christians are to operate within the laws of the country in which we live. The apostle Paul tells us.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1,2.
Paul wrote that while living under the rule on Nero. Who persecuted Christians and eventually put Paul to death.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’" Peter 2:9-12.
If you claim to be a Christian are you living such a life. If not you need to be confessing your sins to God and asking God to show you how to live such a holy life.
Remember what the writer of Hebrews said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.
