Open Heaven 21 June 2018 [Thursday] – Judging or Teaching

Open Heaven 21 June 2018 Memorise
My brethren , be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James 3:1

Bible Reading Acts 28:1-6

1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.

2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.

3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.

4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”

5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

Open Heaven 21 June 2018 Bible in one year: 2 Kings 23, Acts 14:19-15:11

Open Heaven 21 June 2018 Message

In a bid to evade the verbal chastisement of the word of God coming from the mouth of fellow believers, some Christians quote these words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1-2

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

Such Christians conveniently forget the words of 2 Timothy 4:2, which says

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

While it is true that some Christians today are quick to judge others for situation they are passing through, which is an attitude the Lord warned us against, it does not mean that we cannot declare the counsel of God whenever we are so moved by the Spirit of God to do so. The question is, what is the difference between having a judgemental attitude and declaring the whole counsel of God through teaching or preaching? Just like vengeance, judgment also is the prerogative of the Almighty God.

As demonstrated in the story of the adulterous woman, He alone is the accurate and righteous Judge. From the story, we see that man’s judgement can be faulty, because the one judging others may be guilty of the same sin (John 8:7-9). Only God is without sin, therefore He alone is competent enough to pass judgement. Indeed, He has passed judgement through His word, and He will confirm this judgement through the Lord Jesus Christ on a day he has appointed ( John 12:48, Romans 2:16). Open Heaven 22 June 2018

To be judgemental is to judge wrongly. Many are prone to doing this, and this is the reason why we are warned not to judge. Paul’s experience in today’s Bible reading is a typical example of the error of man’s judgement.

Open Heaven 21 June 2018

The Lord had just spared the lives of Paul and those whom he was travelling with on account of Paul’s right standing with Him. While the apostle was gathering sticks to increase the heat of the fire that was keeping them warm, a poisonous snake caught him by the hand. Some of the native people of the land where they were shipwrecked jumped to the conclusion that Paul was evil and that was why nemesis was still after him, even though he had managed to survive a shipwreck (Acts 28:4). Open Heaven 24 June 2018

How wrong they were! Let us therefore be cautious before drawing connections between events because our knowledge is limited. Let us allow the word of God speak the judgement of God by itself and not insert our own speculations and motives into the fray.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Tuesday, June 21, 2018) – Judging or Teaching

Open Heaven 21 June 2018 Action Point
Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15).

Open Heaven 21 June 2018 Hymn 7
Hymn 7 – O Jesus, I have promised

1. O Jesus, I have promised,
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.

2. Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
I dare not trust my judgment:
Thy way shall be my will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

3. O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

4. Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then in Heav’n receive me,
My Savior and my Friend