In This Issue:
It Can Happen to Anyone!
Would You Dare
The Hand of God Was Against Them
What Inspired William Booth
Volume: 976 October 7, 2024
Theme: Judging
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It Can Happen to Anyone!
Bill Brinkworth
Sometimes, we can be very judgmental of a person. We are reluctant to show mercy when one sins or makes a mistake. However, we should remember no one is exempt from making a wrong decision.
Anyone of us could make a mistake and get involved in thievery, dishonesty, immorality, or any other sin. It is only God’s grace and our character that separates us from those that get involved in sin.
Peter was a prime example of unexpected, ungodly behavior. Peter boasted to Jesus that he loved Jesus so much that he would never turn against Him. The apostle was determined that he would lay down his life for the Saviour. Prophetically, Jesus responded, revealing that He knew Peter would deny Him three times (John 13:37-38, Mat. 26:34) before the rooster crowed.
After an angry mob took Jesus away, Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled. When a woman opened the door and accused Peter of being one of the ones with Jesus, Peter denied that he was even associated with Christ (John 18:17).
Another damsel asked Peter if he was one of those who was with Jesus as he warmed himself at a fire (John 18:25, Mat.26:71). He flatly denied any association with Jesus. Later, another servant asked the disciple if he was one of those with Jesus. Peter denied even knowing the Lord (John 18:26) for the third time. A rooster then crowed. Peter, I am sure, “Gulped!” He had done what he thought he would never do.
Sin can happen to any one of us. We can never put down our guard and think that sin cannot control or overtake us. Do you think you are so spiritual that you will never fall? Be careful; a rooster may be getting ready to crow for you at any minute.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” I Peter 5:8
Would You Dare?
Bill Brinkworth
One of man’s natural tendencies is to judge others by his measuring stick, usually himself. Paul, in Romans 2, powerfully addresses that weakness.
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same thing… 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3
Many times, when we judge others, we have or have had the same problem ourselves. Those who have had or are still having the biggest issues seem to complain the loudest of another’s weaknesses.
It is often the ex-smoker who criticizes the loudest about another’s smoke he is inhaling. An older man grumbles to a son about his child’s late hours coming home, forgetting how his father used to rebuke him in his younger, cohorting days. One who recently lied on his income tax form somehow is not convicted when he judges a worker who just lied to him. On and on our hypocritical judging goes.
God, however, knows the truth, and He remembers (Rom. 3:3). For the born-again child of God, there is no judgment for sins. All one’s sins are paid for and no longer remembered (Hebrews 10:17).
All Christians, however, will be judged (Mat. 12:36, Gal. 6:7, Eph. 6:8, Col. 3:24) for what they did or did not do for the Lord. It is called the Judgment Seat of Christ (II Cor. 5:10), and it will involve reward or loss of rewards (Rev. 22:12).
Sadly, the unsaved person’s judgment will be at the White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). That fearful condemnation will be at the end of Christ’s 1,000-year reign on Earth. At that judgment, the lost will be judged for their sins (Rev. 20:14).
In light of our future day of judgment before an Almighty God who knows everything about us (including real intents for doing something, what we did when no one else saw us, and all other dark secrets), our judgment of others seems so insignificant and embarrassing on our part. We certainly want our mistakes and sins overlooked when we stand before our Judge. Can we stop judging others and leave that to the One who knows all?
“Reputation is what man thinks of us. Character is what God knows us to be.”
The Hand of God Was Against Them
C. Buck, 1871
Many say it is a presumption to pronounce the calamities of sinners as particular judgments of God. A study was made of many cruel, persecuting tyrants who delighted in tormenting their fellow creatures.
The study revealed that they died not the common deaths of most men. They suffered plagues and fatalities that were horrible and strange. Even a skeptic would be moved by the evidence and would be apt to suspect that the hand of God was in their demise. Here are some biblical-related examples:
- Herod the Great attempted to destroy the baby Jesus Christ by ordering the deaths of all the male children that were in and near Bethlehem. The historian Josephus reported that Herod had a long and grievous fever, a voracious appetite, difficulty breathing, swelling of his limbs, loathsome ulcers, violent torments, and convulsions, so much that he endeavored to kill himself. The Jews thought his evils to be Divine judgments upon him for his wickedness.
- Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist and treated Christ contemptuously when He was brought before him. Aretas, an Arabian king, defeated Herod, and his dominions were taken from him. He was sent into banishment, along with his infamous wife, Herodias.
- Herod Agrippa killed James, the brother of John, and put Peter in prison. The angel of the Lord soon smote him, and he was eaten of worms and died.
- Judas, who betrayed our Lord, died by his own hands.
- Pontius Pilate, who condemned Jesus to death was, not long afterward, deposed from his office, banished from his country, and died by his hand.
- The wicked high priest, Caiaphas, condemned Christ for fear of disobliging the Romans. He was turned out of his office by the Roman governor, whom he had sought to oblige.
- Ananias was the high priest who persecuted Paul and ordered him to be smitten on the mouth (Acts 23:2, 24:1). He was slain, together with his brother, by his son.
- Domitian persecuted the Christians and was said to be the one who threw John into a cauldron of boiling oil. The man was later banished to the isle of Patmos and murdered by his people.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8
What Inspired William Booth
Walter Knight
Many Christians say they believe in the day of accountability. However, they are as silent as the sphinx when warning others to flee from the wrath to come.
The words that had much to do with William Booth’s being a “fiery” Salvation Army preacher was the indicting, taunting statement from an infidel. The man said, “If I believed what you Christians say you believe about the coming judgment, day of reckoning, and the eternal lostness of impenitent Christ-rejecters, I would crawl on my bare knees on crushed glass all over London, England, night and day, telling men and women to flee the wrath to come!”