Judgment is the preview of God

Have you noticed, as I have, that for some that claim the blood of Christ when something bad happens to them, they say that they are being tested, or that the enemy is attacking them but when it is happening to someone of whom they disapprove, they say it is the judgement of God.

This is judging God.

But the example of the Gospels and the Epistles is that critical analysis is always directed into ones self, or directed in brotherhood to brothers in Christ.

Be Critical when before the mirror.

As far as the world, and I agree that there is much to understand as sinful, the approach is not so much to decry their sin but to facilitate their becoming fellow Christians so that the Spirit can address their sin.

Changing myself by the power of the Spirit is _my_ task.

Changing the world, including conviction of sin, is _His_ task for which He may enlist me. I do not believe he calls us to Judge the world.
 
Remember the Katrina hurricane that did so much damage to the New Orleans area? I still remember with some shame how many pulpits decried the sinfulness of man and that this was judgement of God & retribution for their sin as if every person so affected was lost in sin.

I take my screen name, Siloam, from the pool where the man who was blind from birth washed his eyes in obedience to our Lord and received his sight (John chapter 9).

I note here that the disciples wondered whether this was because of sin, either his own (from birth???), or that of his parents. Our Lord told the disciples that is was neither, but so that the Lord could demonstrate the power of God.

From this, as well as the book of Job, we should learn not to look at those whom God has been chastening as unconnected to ourselves deserving _our_ contempt.

While not denying that the Lord unleashes just vengeance upon men and mankind from time to time. Our response should be to look inward and correct any sin within and sinful actions without.

Remember that vengeance is not our task. It belongs to God.

We should look to offer comfort and assistance to those affected by disasters knowing that the wrath of God cannot be thwarted but our hearts can be stretched to hold greater brotherhood by looking toward the aid of those so afflicted.


___________

I really hope they fix the network soon! I guess I need patience. Doing this by phone is tedious!
 
Have you noticed, as I have, that for some that claim the blood of Christ when something bad happens to them, they say that they are being tested, or that the enemy is attacking them but when it is happening to someone of whom they disapprove, they say it is the judgement of God.

This is judging God.

But the example of the Gospels and the Epistles is that critical analysis is always directed into ones self, or directed in brotherhood to brothers in Christ.

Be Critical when before the mirror.

As far as the world, and I agree that there is much to understand as sinful, the approach is not so much to decry their sin but to facilitate their becoming fellow Christians so that the Spirit can address their sin.

Changing myself by the power of the Spirit is _my_ task.

Changing the world, including conviction of sin, is _His_ task for which He may enlist me. I do not believe he calls us to Judge the world.

The call to not judge others is popular, even among some household names. The late Mother Teresa once said that “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Charles Barkley in an interview on CNN said about Christians that “they’re not supposed to judge other people, but they’re the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country…” Bob Marley had a song called “Judge Not” and of course in his 1996 album All Eyez on Me the late great theologian 2Pac Shakur proclaimed that “Only God can judge me!

The Bible truth is that God has always existed as judge over His creation. Real history as well as Biblical history proves this.

Consider the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Consider that when God determined to punish Sodom and Gomorrah for their sins, Abraham recognized that God is the judge of men's actions. In both cases and in any other example that needs to be considered, notice that God passed judgment, issued a verdict and carried out the sentence.

All of the Biblical instances show that God will intervene, however, to deal with injustices or sin for the benefit of mankind and to further His purposes.

Now the real question here IMO is whether or not men should condemn SIN or ignore it because we as sinners should judge ourselves 1st before condemning what God did.

My understanding is that Sin, is always judged to be worthy of death, and therefore the whole world is guilty before God, and death is upon all because of their sin. Therefore, if men do not condemn what God condemns then we are guilty of neglect and deceit.

Ez. 3:17........
“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”

If we spend some time on this and think about it I believe we can all agree that God has been gracious and merciful to us because we have reached out to help the other nations of the world. We as a nation have sown good will. The church has sent many missionaries around the world. Christians in this nation have supported many missionary works, while Christians and others have supported humanitarian works in every nation.

Now then, if we spend the same amount of time reflecting on what we as a nation have done or allowed we would all agree that we as a nation have a problem and the problem is SIN. Now, do we ignore those SINS because we are ourselves sinners or do we call them out as God would????

As a nation, we have also sown much evil. We have exported our ungodly music, movies, pornography, tobacco, alcohol. Our tobacco companies cannot sell their wares to the young people in our nation but they are allowed to export it to the youth of other nations. We have been hypocritical in calling ourselves a Christian nation when we allow abortion. Many Americans are drug addicts, and are consumed with pornography and vile movies. We commit adultery without blushing and are sex-crazed. I have noticed that the most prevalent types of ads that daily come across the Internet are ads selling something pertaining to sex, ads that tell you how to become a millionaire, and those that encourage gambling.

Do we as Christians simply convince ourselves that we are not to condemn those things because we ourselves are not perfect?????

Instead of being a good example to the world, we export our vices. Sharing Christ with other nations is difficult when they see our lust and materialism. Our American culture has been shot through with all types of sinful temptations designed by the devil to keep us weak and fearful and powerless to fight against him.

Yes, judgment comes upon us as we reap what we have sown. God wants to bless us with good things, but our sins prevent God from blessing us.

Jeremiah 5:25:.....
"Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you."
 
According to the Bible, the Whole of the Law is summed up in two commandments; TO Love God, and to Love others.

Now there is an Idea about tough love. Many seem gleeful to tell themselves that this gives them cover for so much judgement.

The Bible truth is that God has always existed as judge over His creation. Real history as well as Biblical history proves this.

I have no problem with God as the judge. That is _His_ office, not mine.

For myself, I must judge how I associate with what aspects of the world. This means I make a _personal_ judgment. As a Father and Husband, I must also assess and correct members of my family. But I am not deputized by the Lord to perform His office in the worl at large.

He can enlist me for His purposes:

2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

If you look at the following section following, you will see that this applies to the world today
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal,  haters of good, 4  treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of  godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

So, even dealing with the world today, we are to conduct ourselves with humility and gentleness.

Also, think of the Lord's goals, and how your can be used to obtain them.

If you approach the sinful nature of men around us with daggers upon our tongues, how many do you think will open their ears to hear of the rescue Christ offers?

If you look at scripture descriptions of the end times, there is no time where a godly society will be created between now and the millennium. So railing against the admittedly sinful society is not likely to be successful. But each who stops to hear soft and patient expounding upon Christ that causes a change in heart and a dedication to Him is an eternal benefit to Our Lord's Kingdom.
 
Have you noticed, as I have, that for some that claim the blood of Christ when something bad happens to them, they say that they are being tested, or that the enemy is attacking them but when it is happening to someone of whom they disapprove, they say it is the judgement of God. This is judging God.
But the example of the Gospels and the Epistles is that critical analysis is always directed into ones self, or directed in brotherhood to brothers in Christ.
Be Critical when before the mirror. As far as the world, and I agree that there is much to understand as sinful, the approach is not so much to decry their sin but to facilitate their becoming fellow Christians so that the Spirit can address their sin. Changing myself by the power of the Spirit is _my_ task. Changing the world, including conviction of sin, is _His_ task for which He may enlist me. I do not believe he calls us to Judge the world.

Hello Siloam;

Thank you for sharing your topic and is one to really think about. Problem is, in many of our circumstances we all tend to judge God whether we are new or seasoned Christians. I catch myself being one of them.

This is why we shouldn't bemoan the Scriptures when Jesus reminds us over and over and over again, to love and forgive one another minimizes judgment, where hate and contention breeds judgment. Only God is the Master Judge.

So as I come across a topic as the one you just wrote, Jesus' reminders become a blessing because we're all still disciples and will never master His teachings. We are reminded to live, learn and grow for the Kingdom.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our ways yet still has a good work in all of us and will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Paraphrasing Philippians 1:6 ESV

The call to not judge others is popular, even among some household names. The late Mother Teresa once said that “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Charles Barkley in an interview on CNN said about Christians that “they’re not supposed to judge other people, but they’re the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country…” Bob Marley had a song called “Judge Not” and of course in his 1996 album All Eyez on Me the late great theologian 2Pac Shakur proclaimed that “Only God can judge me! All of the Biblical instances show that God will intervene, however, to deal with injustices or sin for the benefit of mankind and to further His purposes. Now the real question here IMO is whether or not men should condemn SIN or ignore it because we as sinners should judge ourselves 1st before condemning what God did. My understanding is that Sin, is always judged to be worthy of death, and therefore the whole world is guilty before God, and death is upon all because of their sin. Therefore, if men do not condemn what God condemns then we are guilty of neglect and deceit.

Hello Major;

As usual, I enjoy reading your posts and this one made me think...how many of us look the other way toward sin from another or ourselves, and neglect to call it out? Are we in fact judging what we choose to confront and avoid?

We may be a work in progress but we also need to be a doer of progress for Christ.

Thank you, brothers, God bless you and your families.
 
True Siloam judgement begins in the church (ourselves) not the world that is still in it's sin and not saved from it.
Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it...and He still is in that process of offering salvation to those who believe. There is still time.

We can look at others and say well if they don't repent then it looks like a judgement...but actually, it's not our call to proclaim judgement on others. We don't get to say well this person is going to live or die. GOD is the one who does that. Our part is simply spreading the gospel so others will know how to be forgiven. Maybe people don't accept this the first time we tell them. Well just keep on telling the gospel. God will open those hearts who are ready to receive, it's not OUR business to pick and choose who gets saved and goes to heaven, just to plant the seed.
 
Hello Siloam;

Thank you for sharing your topic and is one to really think about. Problem is, in many of our circumstances we all tend to judge God whether we are new or seasoned Christians. I catch myself being one of them.

This is why we shouldn't bemoan the Scriptures when Jesus reminds us over and over and over again, to love and forgive one another minimizes judgment, where hate and contention breeds judgment. Only God is the Master Judge.

So as I come across a topic as the one you just wrote, Jesus' reminders become a blessing because we're all still disciples and will never master His teachings. We are reminded to live, learn and grow for the Kingdom.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our ways yet still has a good work in all of us and will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Paraphrasing Philippians 1:6 ESV



Hello Major;

As usual, I enjoy reading your posts and this one made me think...how many of us look the other way toward sin from another or ourselves, and neglect to call it out? Are we in fact judging what we choose to confront and avoid?

We may be a work in progress but we also need to be a doer of progress for Christ.

Thank you, brothers, God bless you and your families.

Agreed brother. It is my personal belief that we as believers have to reach a point in our Christian growth where we must see SIN as God sees sin.

As you are well aware, we live in an age hostile to correction. No one wants to be told what to do or that what they are doping is wrong or that it is a sin.

“No” has become a four-letter word in the modern vernacular. Our non-Christian friends don’t want to be told their unbelief warrants God’s judgment.
That is the most used phrase in the English language........"Who are YOU to judge me"?????

That’s to be expected but what bothers me the most is that often our Christian friends don’t want to be corrected, either. And that’s sad, because a rebuke can be good for the soul.

Proverbs 10:8 says.........
“The wise of heart,” says Solomon, “will receive correction”.

So how do we know when to correct a brother or sister in Christ???

Proverbs 15:23.............
“To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!”.
 
According to the Bible, the Whole of the Law is summed up in two commandments; TO Love God, and to Love others.

Now there is an Idea about tough love. Many seem gleeful to tell themselves that this gives them cover for so much judgement.



I have no problem with God as the judge. That is _His_ office, not mine.

For myself, I must judge how I associate with what aspects of the world. This means I make a _personal_ judgment. As a Father and Husband, I must also assess and correct members of my family. But I am not deputized by the Lord to perform His office in the worl at large.

He can enlist me for His purposes:

2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

If you look at the following section following, you will see that this applies to the world today
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal,  haters of good, 4  treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of  godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

So, even dealing with the world today, we are to conduct ourselves with humility and gentleness.

Also, think of the Lord's goals, and how your can be used to obtain them.

If you approach the sinful nature of men around us with daggers upon our tongues, how many do you think will open their ears to hear of the rescue Christ offers?

If you look at scripture descriptions of the end times, there is no time where a godly society will be created between now and the millennium. So railing against the admittedly sinful society is not likely to be successful. But each who stops to hear soft and patient expounding upon Christ that causes a change in heart and a dedication to Him is an eternal benefit to Our Lord's Kingdom.

I love you my dear brother, but I have to disagree with you on this. When we see a brother or sister persisting in a pattern of unbelief, or a life of rebellion and sin which shows a pattern that calls into question the genuineness of his profession of faith, you should speak up. In fact you must speak out to them.

It is your word of exhortation that the Holy Spirit may use to soften your sister’s heart, lead her into an attitude of repentance, and spare her from God’s wrath.

In fact, when we do the study on this we see that Jesus taught us to correct one another because he understood the danger of unrepentant sin.

In Matthew 18:15-18 He carefully lays out a process of correcting a brother whose sinned against another brother. Jesus doesn’t reveal the nature of the sin. However, he makes it quite clear that if the sinner doesn’t repent of that sin, he shouldn’t be treated as a brother or sister in Christ. But how will this sinner come to realize his fault? He needs a word of correction. Jesus tells us to confront the sinner individually in verse 15.

If the sinner’s heart remains hard, a few others should offer the corrective word in verse 16. And if that doesn’t work, Jesus indicates that the entire church must get involved in verse 18.

Now then, IF.......IF we are not to judge others correctly then why would God have placed that process in the Word of God.
 
According to the Bible, the Whole of the Law is summed up in two commandments; TO Love God, and to Love others.

Now there is an Idea about tough love. Many seem gleeful to tell themselves that this gives them cover for so much judgement.



I have no problem with God as the judge. That is _His_ office, not mine.

For myself, I must judge how I associate with what aspects of the world. This means I make a _personal_ judgment. As a Father and Husband, I must also assess and correct members of my family. But I am not deputized by the Lord to perform His office in the worl at large.

He can enlist me for His purposes:

2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

If you look at the following section following, you will see that this applies to the world today
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal,  haters of good, 4  treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of  godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

So, even dealing with the world today, we are to conduct ourselves with humility and gentleness.

Also, think of the Lord's goals, and how your can be used to obtain them.

If you approach the sinful nature of men around us with daggers upon our tongues, how many do you think will open their ears to hear of the rescue Christ offers?

If you look at scripture descriptions of the end times, there is no time where a godly society will be created between now and the millennium. So railing against the admittedly sinful society is not likely to be successful. But each who stops to hear soft and patient expounding upon Christ that causes a change in heart and a dedication to Him is an eternal benefit to Our Lord's Kingdom.

You said correctly that................
"If you look at scripture descriptions of the end times, there is no time where a godly society will be created between now and the millennium. So railing against the admittedly sinful society is not likely to be successful. But each who stops to hear soft and patient expounding upon Christ that causes a change in heart and a dedication to Him is an eternal benefit to Our Lord's Kingdom. "

100% correct. In fact the Bible tells us that the world will continue to degrade and things will get worse.

Now, the real question then must be........
"Do I as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ say nothing to those who live in and persist in known sin"?

Now, if preachers all over this land stop calling SIN - SIN, and stop condemning that which God condemns, will that make the USA a more faithful nation that loves God above all else?

Now, we can not and should not change society around us. But instead, we are commanded to change SINNERS and then allow them to change society.

Do we believe that we have done that is the real question.
 
When we see a brother or sister persisting in a pattern of unbelief, or a life of rebellion and sin which shows a pattern that calls into question the genuineness of his profession of faith, you should speak up. In fact you must speak out to them.

But that is quite different than observing a disaster happening to those ungodly people and conclude that it is God's condemnation for their sins.

I keep remembering that when Jesus entered into Jerusalem, the Gods people greeted Him with palm leaves and much joyfulness. But a week later, they were easily persuaded to choose Barabbas to be set free, and thus Gods own had a hand in condemning our Lord.

Why? Possibly because they thought Barabbas was finally doing something to free the people!?? It is easy to get people's blood going when you are inviting them to place themselves as the judge, rather than humbly wait upon the judgement of the true judge.

Much of the lets condemn all sinners view is a modern continuation of the lets support Barabbas view.

Can you give any new testament examples of general condemnation of mankind being proclaimed by either Jesus of the disciples? I'll even let you cite the gospels (during which Israel was still under the old covenant until the resurrection).

As far as the current fires, I have kept in touch and know many in the west. To use their suffering as proof of their sinfulness is just mean spirited!


By the way... As I get older, I make more and more typos. The name of this thread was supposed to be Judgement is the purview of God. Between my atrocious spelling and my fingers that often press the correct keys in the wrong order, I am continually undone.
 
Major :
Do you believe the fires in sparsely populated Amazon are also a condemnation of their lifestyle?

I know, or guess, from many of your writings that you do not believe in global climate change. Correct me if I am wrong.

Could this be an attempt to avoid examining the mounting evidence?
 
Maybe some people have this view because they assume that everyone else is a christian also, and thus think they can judge them.
But I know that isn't the case.
 
Major :
Do you believe the fires in sparsely populated Amazon are also a condemnation of their lifestyle?

I know, or guess, from many of your writings that you do not believe in global climate change. Correct me if I am wrong.

Could this be an attempt to avoid examining the mounting evidence?

The conversation seems to have turned from judgment to global warming.
I certainly do mind discussing that with you however I do not want to get accosted for highjacking the thread.

Personally I do not see how anyone can deny that there seems to be a lot of changes in the climate. That says to me that your guess maybe incorrect.
It has been said by many people who know about this stuff, that Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main heat-trapping gas largely responsible for most of the average warming over the past several decades.

I really do not know. I have also read that the earth goes through cycles on a regular basis. I just read that people who do not accept global warming that the CO2 levels on Earth today are the same as they were 3 million years ago.
https://www.afa.net/the-stand/culture/2019/07/90-scientists-global-warming-is-a-total-hoax/

Do I believe that fires in the Amazon is a condemnation from God on their lifestyle.

I do not believe that your question is valid. Do we KNOW that God is causing such a thing????

However, did God cause fire to fall on Sodom? Just asking!
 
But that is quite different than observing a disaster happening to those ungodly people and conclude that it is God's condemnation for their sins.

I keep remembering that when Jesus entered into Jerusalem, the Gods people greeted Him with palm leaves and much joyfulness. But a week later, they were easily persuaded to choose Barabbas to be set free, and thus Gods own had a hand in condemning our Lord.

Why? Possibly because they thought Barabbas was finally doing something to free the people!?? It is easy to get people's blood going when you are inviting them to place themselves as the judge, rather than humbly wait upon the judgement of the true judge.

Much of the lets condemn all sinners view is a modern continuation of the lets support Barabbas view.

Can you give any new testament examples of general condemnation of mankind being proclaimed by either Jesus of the disciples? I'll even let you cite the gospels (during which Israel was still under the old covenant until the resurrection).

As far as the current fires, I have kept in touch and know many in the west. To use their suffering as proof of their sinfulness is just mean spirited!


By the way... As I get older, I make more and more typos. The name of this thread was supposed to be Judgement is the purview of God. Between my atrocious spelling and my fingers that often press the correct keys in the wrong order, I am continually undone.

You said.......
"As far as the current fires, I have kept in touch and know many in the west. To use their suffering as proof of their sinfulness is just mean spirited!"

Also...............
" If you approach the sinful nature of men around us with daggers upon our tongues, how many do you think will open their ears to hear of the rescue Christ offers? "

It seems to me that you and I are on different pages. Maybe I am reading your words incorrectly or misunderstanding those words, and if I am I apologize right now to you.

Many people have allergies to various things--nuts, gluten, lactose, bee stings--and many of us feel the same way about the judgment of God. We want to stay as far away from it as possible. The thought is....tell me all the good stuff and leave out the bad stuff.
And if we do consider it, we tend to quickly pass over it, focusing instead on Christ’s victory on the cross.

While that in itself is not a problem, what it does in the end is to produce believers who do not have "Roots" that grow down into the dirt and take hold.

“Declawing" the Bible of its warnings against and judgments upon sin is not good for the church or the individual believer. In other words, being allergic to God’s judgment is unhealthy for both the preacher and the church.

You and others may not agree with me but I feel like there are some truths I need to tell you. Feel free to ignore me.

#1. First, “Judgment teaches us who God is.”

In the first chapters of Genesis, we learn that God keeps His word and punishes sin. He does so because he is holy, but he also desires to restore His people to a relationship with Him. God saves Noah and his family from the flood, God makes a covenant with Abraham, God always preserves a remnant of true believers even while the majority of the world is going their own way and facing His judgement.

#2. “Warning against judgement teaches us what we should do.”

God’s judgment points us in the right direction. God desires good for us, and He outlines in His Word how we are to walk in His ways and the consequences we will avoid when we follow Him.

************#3. “Judgement is at the heart of the Gospel.”**************

The whole reason Jesus came to earth was to glorify God by taking on Himself the judgment we deserve and thus paying for our sins by the sacrifice of His own life.

This is the gospel.

Now it is probably me, but I am sensing in your words some animosity towards my comments in your thread. If I am wrong then please forgive me.
That bothers me greatly and I never want to be the cause of any confrontation. I am much too old to be in that kind of position so I am bowing out of this thread.
 
If I misread you, I appologize.

But you still seem to link judgement by God with a truely separat issue of individual believers pronouncing judgement and linking that to a natural disaster.

But before one preaches judgement it seems to me that one must convince that (1) God exists at all.
(2) God is a person (not a impersonal principle or an aggregation of natural peocesses)
(3) He created us (by whatever means) - we can explore those means, but if man is scoffing about weather there is a God at all then this is all moot. A side point of this, but still essential is that we are not morally equal. (He is sovereign... We are not)
(4) He desires fellowship and within that fellowship our good.

Only then does God's law become important.

Only then does it matter (to them) whether we have followed that law.
And what the consequences of failing is.
And what provisions God has made to restore fellowship.

But starting with You are sinners under the judgement of God! Skips all this and will be seen to be irrelevant to persons that do no accept God's existence or His preeminence.

I cannot imagine anyone that considers God a superstition caring whether He is sinned against. I cannot imagine anyone who does not first recognize God's sovereinty submitting to judgement.


Do I believe that fires in the Amazon is a condemnation from God on their lifestyle.

I do not believe that your question is valid. Do we KNOW that God is causing such a thing????

Of course God causes this. He is the creator and sustainer. Every subatomic particle continues to exist and behave in appropriate manner because He continues to will it. This is a picture of His order and consistency. He will continue even when we misuse His gifts.

The question is. Is God's special purpose to Judge us, if so could it be for or failure to take care of His world? ...or something else?
 
I wonder why there isn't a 'sermons' forum.
Then people can go there if they want to hear or read something preachy.

I am sorry I am not really following siloam and major's disagreement.

I think sin in of itself causes consequences that are in the end death, and fires ARE causing death, (wages of sin) but then EVERYONE is going to die because we are mortal. It's only Christians who are getting a second, eternal life, and that's beyond THIS life anyway.

Sin just means our death may come sooner or in more gruesome/tragic ways.
We are judged firstly on who we believe and then I suppose our works whether we did the good work God ordained us to do. Whether that good work was not polluting the place and looking after creation, saving lives, only God and we know what we did or didn't do.
 
I wonder why there isn't a 'sermons' forum. Then people can go there if they want to hear or read something preachy.
I am sorry I am not really following siloam and major's disagreement.
I think sin in of itself causes consequences that are in the end death, and fires ARE causing death, (wages of sin) but then EVERYONE is going to die because we are mortal. It's only Christians who are getting a second, eternal life, and that's beyond THIS life anyway. Sin just means our death may come sooner or in more gruesome/tragic ways. We are judged firstly on who we believe and then I suppose our works whether we did the good work God ordained us to do. Whether that good work was not polluting the place and looking after creation, saving lives, only God and we know what we did or didn't do.

Hello Lanolin;

I don't know if you are sharing your thought out loud, because a sermon's forum would be an excellent suggestion. I'll run it by the CFS Staff.

We do have the Bible forum and one can find the message, sermon or exhortations are presented there by Netchaplain, Miz KJV Only, Ben Avraham, and others.
 
I am sorry I am not really following siloam and major's disagreement
Actually, I respect Major greatly. We do have our separate views, but I have never seen anything that leads me to doubt who he serves.

I do regret taking some of his posts too personally. People I love as well as my family are dealing with the fires. I apologize to Major for that.

But I belabor this because I believe untold unforced errors by the church has hurt its witness as they try to perform God's task and take it upon themselves to pronounce judgment upon our world at times when they should be comforting those stricken by. whatever is happening.

We are to comfort and heal the sick. Not just the upright sick.
We are to tend to the wounded. Not just those with whom we agree.
We are to take the gospel to those who are imprisoned. Not only those we think are unjustly held.
We are to feed and clothe all the poor for reflection and assessment with the perspective of time.

But do not think that the Lord is magnified by attempting to sit in His judgement seat. I do not see Scripture for that.
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I am back home after visiting my son (and his wired internet connection)

My cellular internet is still down so I am back to tapping on my phone.
 
Have you noticed, as I have, that for some that claim the blood of Christ when something bad happens to them, they say that they are being tested, or that the enemy is attacking them but when it is happening to someone of whom they disapprove, they say it is the judgement of God.
Its a half truth, God does allow bad things to happen to us, however is not a test in the way that people generally mean, its so our faith can be refined. Its so we can draw closer to God and depend more on him. God doesnt test us, to see if we will choose him or not, but to refine our faith and spirituality.
 
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