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THE GOSPEL OBSERVER
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20).
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July 22, 2001
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In the Steps of the Savior
"Judge Not That Ye Be Not Judged"
by Harry Osborne
Consistency is a very rare commodity. The tendency
for a man to condemn in others what he practices himself is
a well known fact. Listen for a little while to the candidates
in this political season and you will no doubt hear it done.
However, politicians are not the only ones guilty of such
action. A study of the Gospels makes clear the fact that
such hypocrisy was wide spread in the time of Jesus. His
frequent condemnation of the Pharisees for their dual
standards are well known to any Bible student (Matthew 23;
Luke 11:46f; Mark 7; etc.).
In the earthly life of our Savior, He always
exemplified the same standard He used to judge others.
Even in the lives of some who profess identification with
Christ, there is sometimes a failure exhibited in daily living
the same standard used to judge others. Simply stated, the
problem is that some live by one rule, but judge others by
a more stringent rule than that imposed upon themselves.
The Bible speaks of such a practice and clearly condemns it.
Notice this warning given by the apostle Paul in Romans
2:1-3:
"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you
are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you
condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same
things. But we know that the judgment of God is according
to truth against those who practice such things. And do you
think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such
things, and doing the same, that you will escape the
judgment of God?"
It is hypocritical for us to condemn the wrong done
by another when we are doing the same thing. Pointing our
finger at another's wrong will not excuse us from God's
judgment of our own wrong actions. Jesus had much the
same thing to say about this in Matthew 7:3-5 when He said
these words:
"And why do you look at the speck in your brother's
eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or
how can you say to your brother, `Let me remove the speck
out of your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and
then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your
brother's eye."
The picture Jesus brings to our mind with this
teaching is one in which each of us can readily see the
absurdity. None of us want a doctor with a 2 X 4 coming
out of his eye to try removing a stye from our own eye. We
would tell him to get his own eye problem fixed first. In
the same way, if we are going to show the wrong in
another's actions, we must first correct our own.
This is the point Jesus makes in the previous two
verses as well when he says, "Judge not, that you be not
judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be
judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be
measured back to you" (Matthew 7:1-2).
Jesus is not saying that we should absolutely not
judge by showing others about their wrongs. He is saying
that we must avoid hypocritical judgment of others by
condemning them while we are just as guilty, if not more so.
In the same chapter, Jesus commands us to judge some to
be false prophets by examining their lives (vs. 15-20). Such
would not be possible if all judging is wrong.
It does the truth no small amount of harm when
people with foul mouths and ungodly conduct take it upon
themselves to instruct their fellow citizens about morality.
The point they make may be true, but it is stated in word
while deed instructs in the opposite direction. Such actions
make it appear that people who stand for Bible values are
just a bunch of hypocrites. Typically, it is just such a
person used by the entertainment and media industry to
depict one claiming to be a "Christian." The same may be
seen when those who profess to preach the gospel fail to
pay their debts or acquire funds through illegal schemes.
Sadly, the failure to live by the same standard used
in judging others is not a hypocrisy reserved to those
outside the body of Christ. In recent years, it has become
popular to condemn preachers who condemn the teaching of
specific error and the practice of sinful conduct. Is it not
hypocritical to condemn the condemner if condemning is
wrong? Or, how about those who gather in a lounge or
office to gossip about those engage in gossip? Should not
those who condemn one for failing to talk privately with the
brother who teaches public error live by the rule they are
imposing and talk privately with the one so charged? Or
does that rule only work one way? If one writes an article
for a publicly distributed bulletin wherein he castigates
those who spread teaching done over the Internet, is there
not an evident hypocrisy at work? It would be good for all
of us to take a close look at ourselves to see if we are
being consistent in living the same standard we use in our
judgment of others.
When we contrast the actions of Paul and Peter in
Galatians 2:11-14, we see the difference between right and
wrong judging. Peter acted through hypocrisy on this
occasion and stood condemned. Paul rightly rebuked him for
such hypocrisy. Paul could effectively do this because he
was not acting with the same hypocrisy as was Peter.
Other cases in the New Testament show the same
thing. We must oppose evil in the actions of others (1
Corinthians 5:1-13). We must oppose the error taught by
others and even name the false teacher (2 Timothy 2:16-18).
However, we must be careful not to judge them while we are
guilty of the same thing.
This demands that we be constantly involved in
self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). It demands that each
"be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). This we can do if we let our
lives be guided and corrected each day by God's message of
truth.
-- Via The Watchman Magazine, October 2000
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Paul's Prescription for Peace (Phil 4:4-7)
by Wayne S. Walker
We read in the newspaper about the wars going on all
over the globe and we pray for peace in this world. We see
on the television news about all the fighting that occurs
between the political parties in Washington and we wish for
peace in our society. When we experience squabbles and
arguments among relatives, we would like for there to be
peace in our families. And when there are fusses and feuds
in a local congregation, we try to work for peace in the
church.
All these things are good and necessary, but there is
something that is more important, and that is having peace
with God and consequently in our own hearts. "Be anxious
for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"
(Phil. 4:6-7). In these verses, we have Paul's prescription
for peace.
First, there is a negative. "Be anxious for nothing."
Medical experts tell us that stress produced by anxiety is
one of the greatest mental health problems in our nation.
People worry about losing their jobs, their investments, and
their health. These are all legitimate concerns, but there is
a difference between concern that produces the proper
preparation and provision on the one hand, and anxiety or
worry on the other. It often may be a fine line, but
Christians need to stay on the side of not being anxious.
Jesus had a lot to say about anxiety. "Therefore I say
to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put
on....Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its
own trouble" (Matt. 6:25-34). Certainly what Jesus says is
not always easy to do, especially in times of crisis, but it is
what He commands His disciples to do. The opposite of
anxiety or worry is contentment. Paul learned how to be
content (Phil. 4:11-13). He also encouraged others to be
content (1 Tim. 6:6-8). But how can we learn to be content?
We need to remember that God has promised, "...'I will never
leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: `The
Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"'
(Heb. 13:5-6). Civilla Durfee Martin reminded us that we
should "Be not dismayed, whate'er betide, God will take care
of you."
Second, there is a positive. "But in everything by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God." Notice the contrast in this
verse. "Be anxious IN NOTHING, but IN EVERYTHING by
prayer and supplication...." Paul is saying that God's
antidote to worry is prayer. "Oh, what peace we often
forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do
not carry Everything to God in prayer." While there are
technical differences between prayer and supplication, the
two are obviously related (1 Tim. 2:1). But Paul adds the
phrase, "With thanksgiving." It has been my experience that
too many of our prayers (this seems true of our public
prayers so I assume that it is likely true of our private
prayers as well) begin with a cursory word of "thanks for
all the blessings both physical and spiritual," and then
launch in to "give us this; please do that; let us have
something else." It is true that one purpose of prayer is to
make our requests known, but we need to express more
thanks. Remember the ten lepers (Lk. 17:11-19)? "In
everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you" (1 Thess. 5:18). At the same time, we
certainly can let our requests be made known to God.
"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved" (Psa.
55:22). And the reason why we cast all our cares on Him is
"for He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7). Thus, we need to
cleanse our minds from all anxiety and put our trust
completely in the Lord to provide for us.
Third, then, there is the result: "And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." The peace that
comes from being in a right relationship with God so that
we can be anxious for nothing but cast all our cares on Him
is not a peace of this world. Rather, it comes only from God
through Christ. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you. My
peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to
you..." (Jn. 14:27). This peace surpasses understanding. Like
the love of Christ, it "passes knowledge" (Eph. 3:19). This
does not mean that we cannot understand it period, that it
is something better felt than told. In fact, Paul says that we
may "know the love of Christ which passes knowledge."
Likewise, this peace surpasses mere human understanding
and knowledge, and can be known only by those who have
the understanding and knowledge of Christ. And this peace
will guard or keep our minds. God wants to keep His people
safe in His peace. "You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You"
(Isa. 26:3). Yet, a condition is stated. For God to keep us in
perfect peace, our minds must be stayed on Him. The peace
of God will keep our hearts only as we keep ourselves in
His perfect peace by striving to maintain a right
relationship with Him based on His word. Edward H.
Bickersteth wrote, "Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world
of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within." Indeed,
one of the reasons that Jesus came was to make peace (Eph.
2:13-18).
Are you looking for peace in your soul? When we
follow Paul's prescription, "Be anxious in nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God," we can have the
result--"And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus."
-- Via The Expository Files, July 2001
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News & Notes
Mary Jane Frost, Peggy Frame's mother (and wife of
Gene Frost, a preacher in Louisville), is scheduled for
breast-cancer surgery July 27. Let us continue praying
that all will go well.
Clarence Johnson recently sent notice that David Watts
-- who had been a gospel preacher and, several years ago,
held a meeting at Exton -- died July 10 of a heart attack.
He was only 56 years old. His wife is a sister of Sandra
Diamond. Let us be praying for his family and friends.
Free Bible courses are available upon request.
If you live in our area and need a ride to the
services, please feel free to let us know. One of us would
be glad to provide you with transportation.
If you are interested in having "home studies" on
Bible topics in your home with a couple of us from church,
we would be happy to arrange this.
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Avondale
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311
(For postal service: P.O. Box 421)
(610) 268-2088
Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class
11:00 A.M. Worship
6:00 P.M. Worship
Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567
e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com
web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale
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