Judge and Jury

Judge and Jury

i am glad not to be judge and jury

I Am Glad Not To Be Judge and Jury.

Years ago, I did something for the first time that I had wanted to do ever since my twelfth grade government class—I served on a jury. On the day I received the summons letter, I was so happy, because this was something of which I had dreamed. In fact, at one point in my youth, I thought I would become a lawyer. As many others, I have enjoyed reading John Grisham’s novels dealing with court drama. I admit that I had watched most of OJ Simpson’s trial. I like learning about the justice system. Thus, in serving as a member of a county grand jury, I had learned several lessons.

First, I remembered how wicked this world is. We hear or read of the crimes that people commit wherever we live, but I have not had the opportunity to become involved firsthand with the crimes of my local area until then. What a thrilling responsibility to participate in the criminal justice system. Not only did we hear many cases, but also during our lunch break, the officers gave us a tour of the county jail facility. Thus, we heard and saw many individuals who committed crimes of all sorts and stripes. This is a wicked, wicked world (Rom. 3:23).

Second, before the court sessions began that particular morning, all the potential jurors, including myself, waited in the courtroom for the judge to arrive. I scanned the crowd and saw a variety of individuals. A few I had known, but the majority was strangers. The crowd contained a variety of races, religions and such like. This scene reminded me a tiny sliver of a scene of Judgment Day. When that day arrives, all of us will gather before the Judge (Matt. 25:31-32). No one will be exempt.

Third, while I appreciated the knowledge that I was making a difference in the judicial system of my fellow citizens, it impressed upon me further the fact that I am thankful that I will not serve as judge or jury over the eternal destiny of anyone. I am thankful that I will stand before a Judge who is described as “righteous” (1 Tim. 4:8). Abraham asked the rhetorical question, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25). I know that He will be fair and merciful. I know the conditions upon which He will judge my works and my soul (John 5:22-39). Thanks be unto God that He has ordained Jesus Christ to serve as both Judge and Jury in the Day of Judgment (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1).

The psalmist stated,

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. (Ps. 96:12-13)

Let us all be prepared to meet our Judge and Jury!

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Life: What It’s All About

This Is What It’s All About

I saw a bumper sticker once that said, “This Is What It’s All About.”  It didn’t indicate what “IT” was.  Often, when people put such emphasis on a word like that they have a generic application in mind.  It’s sort of like when people say, “They say……you shouldn’t do this or that.”  Who is “THEY”?  I’m not sure anyone really knows.  It’s just a way of making a simple point.

what is life about

What is Life About?

Yet sometimes “IT” signifies something very important to a person.  For example, to some, “IT” is the meaning of life; and that is something worthy of our consideration. Think about it: “IT’S” all about you.  That’s right, friends, you are special to God. He desires you.  Do you marvel at this?  If so, you’re not alone.  David asked God, “What is man that You are mindful of him…?” (Ps. 8:4).  When one considers the vastness of the universe and all the wonders of it, suddenly man seems so insignificant – but not so to God.  For you see, “IT’S” all about GOD’S love for you (Rom. 5:6-8).  “IT’S” all about GOD’S plan to save you (Jer. 31:31-34).  “IT’S” all about a home with GOD in heaven (2 Pet. 3:13). “IT’S” all about your obedience to GOD so that the things He desires for you may be realized (Eccl. 12: 13).  So if you want to know what the meaning of life really is, friends, “That’s What “IT’S” All About.”

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Giving and Tithing

NT Giving and OT Tithing Contrasted

what is tithing about

What is Tithing About?

It is a blessing that the Christian is not obligated to observe the ordinances of the Old Covenant.  Peter said that the law was, “…a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear” (Acts 15:10).  Paul said regarding the law that Jesus had “abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Ephesians 2:15).  Part of the burden that the Jews were not able to bear was the laws in respect to tithing and along with all other aspects of the Old Covenant, the laws related to tithing were also abolished.  It is a great blessing that the Christian is obliged only to give “as God hath prospered him” (1 Corinthians 16:2).  Hence, it is within the discretion of the individual Christian as to the amount he ought to give in relationship to his income.  For some Christians this may be less than the Old Testament law of tithing.  However, for other Christians, they may elect to give more than the law required.  Their conscience is their only limit in regard to the actual proportion chosen.  Having these things in mind, I would like to pursue the notion in this article that the law of tithing in the Old Covenant provides an adequate guideline for the Christian to give.

Tithing was commanded in the Old Covenant for the purposes of supporting the tribe of Levi.  This was because the Levites did not have an earthly inheritance along with the other tribes.  Numbers 18:24 says, “But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.”  The responsibilities of the Levites included work of the priesthood, the caretaking of the temple, and other social functions in the various Israelite communities.  In essence the offerings were intended to go to the work of edifying the nation spiritually.

There is a similar purpose to giving in the New Testament insomuch as the funds collected are used to further the work of the church.  Galatians 6:6 teaches this principle: “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”  The word “communicate” means to share or have fellowship with.  The context indicates that this would be the sharing of physical things whether monies, foodstuffs, clothing, or other material blessings.  Such blessings may also be used to aid the poor, support the physical requirements of worship, provide a stipend for good leaders, and be used to aid missionaries.

Comparing these similar purposes, we turn to contrast the spiritual benefits.  The book of Hebrews points out that we have a better Mediator, a better covenant, and a better High Priest.  If we were to stop at just these blessings, that would be sufficient, however, we note also that we are under a system of grace, that salvation is available to all who respond in faith, that we have the blessing of God’s earthly kingdom, the church, and that we all enjoy fellowship with God as priests in His service.  Numerous other blessings could be enumerated and each discussed in detail pointing out the superior situation under Christ than under the Mosaic Law.

This leads us to ask a pertinent question in relationship to the subject under consideration.  Ought we not to give due consideration to the great blessings of the New Covenant when we consider the amount we give each week to the church?  If those under the Old Covenant were commanded to give a minimum of one tenth as part of a physical law, we may all surely consider that an adequate guideline for what to give under the law of liberty.  Most, however (and these individuals know who they are by virtue of their income), ought to consider that the minimum amount to give and give due consideration to giving above and beyond that.  Keeping these things in mind will ensure that our giving will both be spiritually motivated and appropriately proportional.

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David and Saul

God Helps the Godly, Always!

The account of David’s flight from King Saul is filled with vivid description of just how much hate the king had for the son of Jesse. First Samuel chapters 22 and 23 give such great insight in the hearts of the first two kings of Israel. Had it not been for the friendship of Jonathan with David, the life David might have ended and the history of Israel would have been so different.

david fled saul but trusted god

David Fled Saul, but Trusted God.

The evil King Saul called the priests of God to his side, and when he learned of how they had added David in his flight he killed eighty-five priests. He then entered Nob, one the cities given to the priests by God and slaughtered men, women, children, infants and their animals. He was determined to kill David, no matter what was the cost.

David fled city to city and even foreign nations. He sought refuge in Keilah only to have Saul pursue him there. David left that city and thought he had found his place of refuge in forest near Ziph, but the people offered to deliver David to Saul. What hope could anyone have at a time like this?

The answer lies in the psalm David penned as he fled from Ziph. Read those seven verses in Psalm 54 and learn from this man how God helps. See his faith. Read it again when life has crumbled around you. Let his words become your words.

Hear his words. He saw God as his Savior and the One who would vindicate him (v. 1). He saw God as the One who would hear his prayers and answer them (v. 2). He understood his situation but knew there was no way his enemies would prevail, for God was not in the forefront of their lives (v. 3). God was his Helper and stood with those who stood with David (v. 4). He knew God would repay his enemies and separate them from Him (v. 5). He knew that his response to God’s presence was a heart filled with the joy of worship and praise (v. 6). He looked at all the adversity he had just endured, and this gave him confidence that victory would belong to him.

What’s happening in your life? I guarantee you that it is not nearly as bad as David’s was when he wrote this psalm. Whatever it is, whether the adversity is one in your life or one that you may face in the future, rest assured that these words of David will help you. You may not need to memorize this psalm in its entirety, but let these words feed your soul. Let them become the expression of your heart. If we want to people after God’s own heart, then the words of David need to become our words.

By the way, you do know the rest of this story, don’t you? Saul was thwarted in his attempts to kill David. Saul’s life ended in a most tragic way. The victory has never belonged to the ungodly, for our God never forsakes His children.

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Recruiting

Recruiting

are you recruiting

Are You Recruiting?

Please bear with the following illustration if you are not a Texas Longhorn fan, there will be a spiritual application made from all this, so bear with me. I am a college football fan and as anyone who knows me understands, the subject of my college football passion is the University of Texas Longhorns. This past couple of years I have been somewhat subdued in my vocal support of the ‘Horns because they have been suffering a period of down seasons since very nearly winning the National Championship in 2009. From that time to this, I have watched them go into decline. I have had to get used to how it feels when the team you are passionate about loses. It stinks. For several years, under the previous coach, it seemed that year after year things only got worse. The perception is that the head football coach had become complacent and his players underachieved because of a sense of entitlement they felt as being part of one the most storied football programs in college football. Whether that is true or not, I haven’t any idea, but that is the perception. The fact remains that the team was no longer competitive as it had been before. The problem was either that they were no longer recruiting the kind of players that could be successful at the college level or they were failing to develop them as players. Whatever the case, it eventually led to the firing of the coach.

This past season a new football coach was hired and immediately he brought drastic changes to the program. He kicked nine players off the team for various and unspecified reasons. He suspended several others for at least part of the season. One player was suspended eight games and another was suspended for the season. Also the team sustained two catastrophic injuries in the first game, the starting Quarterback was forced to “retire” from football due to a series of head injuries and the most experienced and best Offensive Lineman was injured resulting in the end of his football career. Texas was left with one of those over-hyped, under-developed recruits from the previous coaching staff as their starter at Quarterback. Though by all accounts he is a very nice young man, he is not college Quarterback material. And as a result, the team suffered one of its worst seasons and records in its storied history. In the last two games of the season Texas lost by a combined score of 70-17. Ouch! Looking just at the past record and the number of upper-classmen who will be leaving the team at the end of this year, there is not much reason for hope. Yet I have a reason to hope that next year things will be better and that the team is pointed in the right direction! Why? Read on friends…

So why am I writing all this? What’s with this ramble about the most and also least popular college football team in America? Recruiting! That’s what this post is about. The failure to recruit and develop good football players led to the team’s decline and was the reason so many players had to be dismissed on disciplinary grounds. The same is true when it comes to the decline in church membership experienced by many congregations of the Lord’s church! Recruiting failures! The Lord’s “team” (not the Dallas Cowboys)is in decline right now because we Christians, as His “recruiting staff” are falling down on the job and also because the few we are able to successfully recruit are not being developed into strong Christians. If this trend continues, the church may one day reach a point where we can no longer be the “pillar and ground of the truth” that we should be. (1 Tim 3:15) How do we fix this? Again, it is recruiting! Or evangelism as it is more Biblically referred to! The only way the church can grow numerically is through evangelism. The Great Commission was originally given to just twelve men! (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16) Through those twelve men, the gospel was carried into the entire world! You and I, who are Christians today, are Christians because of how those twelve men, who lived and died over two thousand years ago, carried out that Great Commission! Twelve men with the entire world spread out before them and they did not shrink from that monumental task! Thank God for that. They were twelve men, empowered by the greatness of God, who became so great as recruiters that all Christians everywhere are the result of that recruiting effort. If the church today would “recruit” better and if we would develop those recruits into strong Christians through a God’s Word, the church can and will be strong in America as it once was.

So now I hope you understand why I bored you with my ramblings on about the Texas Longhorns… but I still didn’t answer why I find reason for hope next season. You can probably guess why, if you were to look at the national recruiting class rankings in any sports website. As of today, Texas has the number 8 overall recruiting ranking… What about the church’s recruiting ranking? Can each of us we do something to improve that rank? You bet we can!

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