Posts Tagged ‘righteous judgment’

Proverbs 28:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: August 28, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 28, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 28:21 To show partiality is not good- yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

A virtuous man is always fair. He exercises righteous judgment and avoids corrupting justice or truth. But a foolish and wicked man will show partiality, when the compromise can benefit him. This weak character makes a man vulnerable to even small temptations.

Warnings against financial haste surround this proverb. Diligent labor works, but vain ideas of quick riches lead to poverty (Pr 28:19). A faithful man works diligently and is blessed; a greedy man cheats for riches and is judged (Pr 28:20). Greed for riches, rejecting diligent labor, leads men to evil ideas, which bring them to poverty (Pr 28:22).

The Bible warns repeatedly against respect of persons – corrupting judgment for family, friends, the rich, the poor, or those who can benefit you. True equity and righteous judgment never consider the persons involved, but look only to the facts and justice of the case. God condemns this form of hypocrisy and compromise in many places (Pr 18:5; Ex 23:2,8; Deut 1:17; 16:19; II Chr 19:7; Jas 2:1-10). See the comments on Proverbs 17:23.

Solomon declared elsewhere, “It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment” (Pr 24:23). And the LORD God declared through Moses, “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour” (Lev 19:15).

All men have special friends, even the Lord Jesus Christ, Who loved and favored John (John 13:23). Preferences do exist among men, which we can even read about in the best of men (Gen 37:3; I Sam 18:1; Phil 2:19-23). But any such affection or bias cannot ever enter into their judgment of the merits of a case. They must see truth and justice only.

A man at first might require a considerable bribe to cheat justice and compromise his ruling, for his inhibitions against corruption keep him from considering a lesser price. But once he has seared his conscience, it is much easier the next time. Soon he is reduced to violating truth for the mere proverbial piece of bread – hardly anything at all. He has set a terrible personal precedent and brought his evil heart into motion. He is likely ruined.

Reader, consider your own partiality. Do you mistrust a teacher criticizing your child due to your sentimental affection for the child? Are you more gracious and serving to successful church members than to others? Are you more merciful overlooking the faults of friends than enemies? Do you apply company policy equally to friend and foe in the workplace? Are you perfectly consistent in your treatment of each of your children?

Jesus Christ’s ministers are gravely warned against preference and partiality in the decisions and judgment of the church (I Tim 5:21). For it is a mark of the profane reprobate that admires and promotes the more advantaged in the church (Jude 1:16). Thus they must be men that are not given to filthy lucre. Let every man of God take heed!

Respect of persons cannot be mingled with the religion of Jesus Christ (Jas 2:1), for it is totally incompatible with the perfect integrity of Jesus Christ and His true saints. Even the enemies of Jesus Christ knew He was impeccably virtuous in this matter (Matt 22:16). Respect of persons is also a practical shame, for those kinds of men that are a temptation for Christians to favor are often the enemies of the gospel (Jas 2:2-10).

This proverb teaches you the great importance of justice, truth, and righteousness. A godly man will settle his heart and make up his mind that he will always say and do what is right, no matter the consequences or influences of his family, friends, or colleagues. This principle of godliness should be instilled in children very young and then enforced.

This proverb also teaches the danger of precedent, deceitfulness of sin, and damage to conscience. Once you compromise your convictions, it is easier to do so again. When you have done it several times, you will have a crowd of evil men expecting even more from you for less reward. You will be trapped by your sin and reduced to a helpless puppet.

What is the cure? Isaiah gave it: “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread” (Is 8:13). Exalt God and His love of righteousness as high as you should, and fear doing anything to ever offend Him. Do not fear them that might kill the body; have no desire for ungodly gain of any kind (Luke 12:4-5; Ex 18:21-22). Put your trust in the LORD, and you will be both safe and fed (Pr 29:25; Ps 37:3).

Proverbs 17:26 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 17, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 17, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 17:26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity. 

Wisdom knows right and wrong. Here are two political errors of civil government that should be known by men of understanding. Though the world corrupts right and wrong, it is your duty and privilege to know the difference and never compromise true justice.

Child rebellion is terrible, ruining the parent-child relationship, as the previous proverb declared (Pr 17:25: A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him). But there are two related evils involving civil government that are also terrible. It is an error when a nation’s rulers punish just and righteous citizens. And it is wrong for citizens to rise up against leaders for doing their rightful job of enforcing justice and righteousness – equity. Both rulers and ruled are obligated to God.

The opening adverb “also” indicates a comparison to the preceding proverb (Pr 17:25). As disobedient children disrupt the home and destroy parents, so a breakdown in civil authority disrupts and destroys cities and nations. The adverb teaches wisdom. The first authority met in life is that of parents. If they are disregarded or their God-given power is not enforced, children enter into life with perverted values and rebellion in their hearts.

It is not good to punish the just. When a government legislates or executes laws that hurt upright citizens, it is not good. The expression “not good” is the figure of speech meiosis, a deliberate understatement that is clearly understood by the context and/or the nature of the matter (Pr 16:29; 18:5; 20:23; Ps 51:17; Ezek 36:31). Rulers punishing just citizens is far worse than merely “not good”; it is an abomination to the LORD (Pr 17:15).

What is equity? It is fair, just, and righteous judgment (Pr 1:3; 2:9; Ps 98:9; 99:4). But when rulers make equitable judgments, one party to a controversy is commended and the other is condemned. It is an abomination for those under authority to strike back at their rulers for doing the job God gave them to do. The proverb condemns two perversions of authority – rulers punishing good citizens, and the ruled rebelling against good rulers.

God made rulers a terror to evil men, not good men (Rom 13:1-6; I Pet 2:13-17). Abraham appealed to this virtue of God (Gen 18:25). Rulers abuse their authority and will be punished by God, when they are a terror to good men (Pr 17:15; 24:23-26; Ex 23:7; Deut 27:25). He took Egypt’s wealth, for their violent abuse of the Israelites. He sent dogs to eat Queen Jezebel, because she had Naboth killed for his vineyard. What will He do to America for murdering unborn children for the convenience of whore mothers?

God ordained civil government. It has nothing to do with any conspiracy anywhere. If you speak or fight against political rulers without a divine mandate, you are opposing God Himself (Rom 13:1-6; I Pet 2:13-17; Job 34:16-19). The Lord considers you a brute beast needing to be destroyed (II Pet 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10). If you even associate with such men, your calamitous ruin is coming soon (Pr 24:21-22). Jesus and Paul showed honor to rulers abusing their authority (Matt 26:62-64; John 18:22-23; Acts 23:1-5).

Every ruler and government had better examine their laws and practices as to how they affect the righteous, because the blessed God of heaven will not countenance any unjust treatment of them. He will aggressively defend the poor, helpless, and godly (Eccl 5:8; Ps 2:10-12; 12:5; 68:5; 82:1; 105:13-15; Is 10:5-19). Though others may tremble before your presence and power, there is a God in heaven that is not moved in the slightest by any king! Just ask Sennacherib, Belshazzar, Alexander, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or others!

Every citizen in every nation should humble himself under the authorities God has appointed. No matter how much you may dislike them, God put them in their office over you. You expect your children to obey and honor you, even when you are a bad example or do a poor job of parenting; and God expects you to obey your princes, even if they are privately wicked or enact and enforce laws that make little sense and cost you. God even condemns the cursing of a king in your private and personal thoughts (Eccl 10:20)!

Disobedience to parents is a mark of a reprobate society and of carnal Christianity (Rom 1:30; II Tim 3:2). Ben Spock and Jim Dobson helped corrupt child training in America, but godly parents still follow the only inspired child training manual (Ps 119:128; Is 8:20; I Tim 6:3-5,20-21). Parents must vigorously enforce the authority God has given them, lest their children rise up in rebellion against God’s other appointed spheres of authority and overthrow the foundations of society (Pr 22:15; 29:15; Ps 82:1-8).

There is no perfect authority among men. But imperfect authority in the five spheres God ordained can lead to happy and prosperous homes, marriages, businesses, churches, and nations. The only perfect authority is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Blessed and Only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords. He is coming soon to destroy in flaming fire all those who have rebelled against Him (II Thess 1:7-11; I Tim 6:13-16).

Spiritual Training 28 November 2012

Posted: November 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

God’s Righteous Judgment

Romans 2:03-11  So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you thin, you will escape God’s judgment?  Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you forward repentance? 

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.  God” will give to each person according to what he has don.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.  There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  For God does not show favoritism. 

 In his kindness, God holds back his judgment giving people time to repent.  It is easy to mistake God’s patience for approval of the wrong way we are living.  Self-evaluation is difficult, and it is even more difficult to expose our conduct to God and let him tell us where we need to change.  But as Christians we must pray constantly that God will point out our sins so that he can heal them.  Unfortunately, we are more likely to be amazed at God’s patience with others than humbled at his patience with us.

Although God does not usually punish us immediately for sin, his eventual judgment is certain.  We don’t know exactly when it will happen, but we know that no one will escape that final encounter with the Creator.

Lets Bring it Home: Just look at what has been revealed with our Preachers, Political figures, Military Leaders and with in our own surroundings. Repent and asks for forgiveness while you still can.  This is nothing worst than to fall in the Hands of the Living God for Punishment.   Don’t be a Fool!