In the last article, we saw how the sanctifying work of the Spirit in our own lives first is vital before discerning errors in others. Scripture says that the beam in our eyes must be first removed before we can look to remove the speck in our brother’s eye.’ It is when the Spirit sanctifies, that the beam blocking our discernment is removed. This enables us to see clearly,
Now, as the work of sanctification is needed for proper discernment, the workings of God’s grace in an individual’s life is equally needed for proper application of that discernment with understanding and love. It is due to this lack that many have errored on the side of judgement, exhibiting a critical and judgmental spirit; sometimes even fulfilling the role of the accuser of the brethren. They thereby unknowingly bring judgment upon their own lives as a result, as they have judged others unrighteously. This has also contributed to deep wounds in Christ’s body.
We are saved by God’s grace! As we put our Faith in the Grace of God revealed to us, we become God’s children and His righteousness (positionally). First and foremost, we qualify to receive this grace of God ONLY when we comprehend that we are totally and completely disqualified. Any other position or posture prior to the profession of our faith is illegitimate and does not produce genuine faith or conversion! Many today, without this basic understanding have tried to walk the Christian walk. It has given room to selfishness and pride which in this context is the root cause of all unrighteous judgements.
Now, even if we have been genuinely made righteous through faith; the grace of God needs to be constantly working in our lives. On one hand we realize how much we miss the mark and are frail and helpless and can do nothing without Him but on the other we grow in His Righteousness which leads to greater boldness and confidence. It leads to Him being formed in greater measure in our lives as we lose more and more focus on our own selves. It is a divine paradox but one intended to transform every son and daughter of God into His image that we start reflecting Him in all aspects of our walk.
We are strong in Him when we are weak in ourselves. We have His life working and flowing in us to the degree we experience death to our own selves. Any other way of trying to access God and His life in and through us is illegitimate and is an affront to God. There is no room for two Masters! If one lives, then the other is dead!
Today many have tried to lead people to access the righteousness of God without leading them to the light of the constant need for His grace first. It reveals how unqualified we still are after salvation by our own selves and the need for us to allow His transforming power. This absence has resulted in carnal, selfish people with impure motives trying to walk in the Righteousness of God. Some of us seem to have forgotten that, if we have been standing so far, it is by His grace and grace alone. When this is the case, we will be quick to pass judgements on people when they make a mistake and judge them harshly, immediately. Since, our confidence comes from our own selves and not from God and His transforming grace which we don’t deserve one bit. Simply put, we error in judgement because it comes from a place of pride (self).
Dear saint, do you realize that apart from the grace of God you can accomplish nothing of eternal significance? Do you not know that for the grace of God to operate powerfully through you, there must always be an ongoing and increasing awareness that you can do nothing by your own self?
When Paul said he was the worst of sinners towards the end of His life, it was when the grace of God was working the maximum through him. When he said it, he wasn’t having an emotional moment or even talking from his reflections necessarily. It was the ultimate culmination of his spiritual journey. On one hand, as the grace of God was increasingly working in his life, on other he was realizing his increasing depravity and helplessness without God. There was a progression of the two, and it led to ‘ I am the worst of all sinners.
Dear saint, have you come to realize that ‘you are the worst of all sinners’?
If you stand by grace and grace alone, why are you so quick to pass judgement on others who fall and so quick to disqualify them if you, yourself have done nothing to earn your place in God’s righteousness? We have a generation of unregenerate “Christians” fulfilling the role of the accuser of the brethren, blinded by pride and arrogance, unaware that by doing so, they are setting themselves up to be judged by the Lord. Also, we seem to have forgotten that any progress we have made in His righteousness is by grace and grace alone! We error greatly when we place judgement before mercy, for mercy triumphs over judgement!
Does this mean we shouldn’t judge when someone is in error? Certainly not, we do when needed! but the first thing we need to do in such situations is to judge our own selves in that area. How can you pass judgement on someone who has fallen in sexual sin when you are struggling with lust yourself? Or are you extending the same grace to others; the same (or even greater) measure the Lord showed you when you fell in a particular sin? How can you judge someone’s handling of finances when you haven’t been faithful in your giving to the Lord. You scrutinize people’s words and seemingly expose their lies, have your words and actions been put to the same scrutiny and test? If found wanting, would you demand the same justice you have meted out to others? You talk freely about people’s motives; do you know your own? Has the light of God searched you?
Now, we don’t lower God’s standards and His requirements when those standards are broken but unless we are aware of our own frailty and the constant need for His grace, which God has lavished upon each of us and that which is constantly and actively working every day in our lives, we will not know when to say “ neither do I condemn you” or “after you are restored, strengthen my brethren”. Today, many have cast stones without showing grace and have disqualified many Peters and Davids!
Even if instructed by the Lord to bring in strict discipline, we should never forget our own pride and selfishness and speak and act only with great humility and love after examining our own hearts.
There is a place for the zeal of the Lord displayed! However, has that zeal consumed you first? Is it from the heart of the Lord or is your zeal just birthed out of hurt and disappointment, disillusionment and breach of trust?
Today, it is understandable that there is outrage and anger due to the depths of deception and sin, especially in the leadership that has led to many thousands being affected as a result. Nevertheless, continuing with those emotions arising from the previously stated causes will ultimately lead to error in judgements. Only the zeal for the Lord and His body must remain! It should far surpass and subdue any other reason for strong emotions and inclinations.
We live in times of separation between wheat and the chaff, the truth from the false and in that context the Lord’s zeal is an absolute necessity. On the other hand, we must also discern that not everyone who falls or is caught in sin is a deceiver or a wolf.
Brethren, yes, we need to discern properly and completely but we must do it in love; willing to show much grace to those in error!
Are we able to see why they did what they did and the circumstances surrounding them? What if they were abused themselves and never had someone to guide them into total healing and restoration in their life? What if it was a momentary lapse of judgement and done in a moment of great weakness?
We do need to express outrage towards the blatant abuses and show all compassion and grace towards the victims. We do need to be harsh and severe on those who continue to be unrepentant (with a heart to see them redeemed). However, we must apply truth in proportion to the grace God shows to each person, knowing that only He truly understands every heart and motive. Here is wisdom, the measure of His grace varies, and it is never the same for two individuals. It is unique to the person as they have walked unique pathways in their lives that others haven’t.
As was the conclusion in the last article; we need to have a revelation of God’s nature and constantly keep growing in it. For, only then will we realize how far we are from the mark and the need for continual change. This not only keeps us humble but also brings about the necessary continual transformation into His image. A transformation that sharpens discernment and a humility that helps us to apply that discernment with the grace needed!
(TO BE CONTINUED)
