Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear ...
Justice is turned back ...
truth has stumbled in the public squares ...
he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
Isaiah 59:1,14-15 (ESV)
But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! ... Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? ~ 1 Corinthians 6:6-7 (NKJV)
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Romans 12:18-19 (NKJV)
Should the innocent make himself prey for the wicked? Should Christians always turn the other cheek? When and how may we seek justice?
Paul clearly frowns on Christians taking one another to court, seeing it preferable to be cheated. He teaches us to live peaceably with "all men"—which includes the unpleasant, the unreasonable, and the unrepentant.
Jesus established well-defined steps in Matthew 18:15-17 for Christians to deal with sin among themselves. Those who call themselves believers but are unwilling to be accountable to the church may be treated as unbelievers.
When accountability is rightfully requested at court, we are to have absence of malice, and seek not vengeance but only the justice pleasing to God. And regardless of what happens inside or outside any human court, the Lord's hand is not shortened. He is the final Arbiter of justice, in this world and the next.
Judge of all the earth, You will surely do what is right and execute perfect justice and perfect mercy for each of us. Thank You that the blood of Jesus Christ has paid the just penalty for my sin. Please give us love of justice and mercy. Please enable us to live peaceable lives.
"When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." ~ Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV)
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy
Thanks for saving me Lord.
ReplyDelete....decided to go back thru your posts and read up. i'm asking God why? this post stirs things up a bit. it makes me really angry.....but i won't tell you to go jump in the lake,yet:) and those words are the kindest i've used in a long time when we breach this topic! don't know if it is God steppin on my heart or the enemy.....but for now, i'm back trackin out of here!
ReplyDeleteQuote:
Jesus established well-defined steps in Matthew 18:15-17 for Christians to deal with sin among themselves. Those who call themselves believers but are unwilling to be accountable to the church may be treated as unbelievers.
Bud, I do believe in church discipline. But if you read very many of my posts, you'll see that I'm foremost a voice calling for Christians to quit judging one another, to love and heal one another.
ReplyDeleteIf you click on "Judging Others" on the left sidebar, you'll find a number of posts which put this in context. Church discipline is something to be reserved for only open, unrepentant, and clearly defined immorality. If you read me for any length of time, you'll see that I have no sympathy for the judgmental attitudes which tear others down. I've seen and experienced the damage it does.
If I seek to build up Christ's body of believers, that means not tearing them down in judgment.
been bouncing around in here all day. i was reading a certain post(repeatedly) that "just happens" to re-appear within the "judging others" category.
ReplyDeletethere are tens of thousands of us believers that don't/won't fellowship again in a structured body because of this. but in doing so, we have become judges and just like those we despised for teaching false doctrine.
yeah, the enemy is having a proverbial "field day" with this one. My prayer is: God, please save me from myself!
ReplyDeleteLord, I ask that you speak peace and healing to Bud by the power of Your Spirit, in the name and through the blood of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteBud, one of your comments mentioned us judging those who judge. In a guest post I did for Peter Pollock, I make an appeal for ALL within the church to refrain from judgment.
ReplyDeleteThe Only Unanswered Prayer of Jesus
First of all, thank you for your prayer and thank you for washing my feet. Watchman Nee said once that anytime a brother or sister comes to visit you( or vice-versa) and there's been the time of building up one another, encouragement, prayer....the spiritual refreshment is in essence, washing one anothers feet.
ReplyDeleteBud
Bud, it's the Lord Himself Who has washed your feet. I'm merely His servant, a vessel of His grace.
ReplyDelete