Devotion for December 12

[Josheb]

Who are you when you judge? Nothing other than a God wannabe. We judge others - criticize, nitpick, nag, attack, condemn, - because we literally usurp God's throne. In this we become devils to each other, acting as accusers. When you and I fight, our minds become filled with accusations: your wrongs and my rights preoccupy me. We play the self-righteous judge in the mini-kingdom we establish: "You are so stupid. You've gotten in my way. You don't get it."

In an argument, you offend me by crossing my will. O respond by pointedly confessing your offenses to you! At the same time, I explain to you how all my feelings are really your fault. If only you were different, I wouldn't be the way I am. You do the same to me, pointedly confessing my sins to me and excusing your own. Nowhere in the heat of conflict does anyone confess his own sins, except as a way to buy time for counterattack. "Yeah, I was wrong to do that but..."

The log remains firmly planted in the eye (Matthew 7:1-5) as each party plays lawgiver and judge. But there is one Lawgiver and Judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you that you judge your neighbor? Here we see that a far more profound conflict burns at the heart of interpersonal conflict. Presumption, pride, demand, and self-will stand at odds with the one true God.


(from "Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith" by David Powlison)
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[Blain]

was this for anyone specific?

 

[Mr GLee]

Who are you when you judge? Nothing other than a God wannabe. We judge others - criticize, nitpick, nag, attack, condemn, - because we literally usurp God's throne. In this we become devils to each other, acting as accusers. When you and I fight, our minds become filled with accusations: your wrongs and my rights preoccupy me. We play the self-righteous judge in the mini-kingdom we establish: "You are so stupid. You've gotten in my way. You don't get it."

In an argument, you offend me by crossing my will. O respond by pointedly confessing your offenses to you! At the same time, I explain to you how all my feelings are really your fault. If only you were different, I wouldn't be the way I am. You do the same to me, pointedly confessing my sins to me and excusing your own. Nowhere in the heat of conflict does anyone confess his own sins, except as a way to buy time for counterattack. "Yeah, I was wrong to do that but..."

The log remains firmly planted in the eye (Matthew 7:1-5) as each party plays lawgiver and judge. But there is one Lawgiver and Judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you that you judge your neighbor? Here we see that a far more profound conflict burns at the heart of interpersonal conflict. Presumption, pride, demand, and self-will stand at odds with the one true God.


(from "Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith" by David Powlison)
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Amen. . I would offer.

Only Christ (unseen) has the power to rebuke the unseen thing of darkness and raise the dead .. (spiritual matters), Faith believing the unseen things does matter.

Believers can miraculously preach by planting and watering the seed. Christ alone is the one good comforting, teaching master .

1 Corinthian 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

One person who eulogized the dying flesh of Jesus the Son of man discovered our Holy Father would never share his glory with dying mankind (Blasphemy)

The idea of dying mankind rebuking the lying spirits or saving another person (Blasphemy)

Jesus preached, planting the living words the Father gave to him . He alone has the teaching power. He brings to our memory the previous things he did teach, Just as he brings each other in memory so we can pray . The greatest gift Memory.

Matthew 19:16-17King James Version And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments

Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Because we have the power of Christ working in these earthen bodies of death we are empowered to "resist" (not rebuke) and. . . . . . . finish the work to his glory.

The spiritual food the disciples knew not of at first . Our daily bread or called hidden manna in (Rev 2:17) Again the food the other apostles knew not of . . ..Jesus demonstrating the power of the fathers love revealed it to them in a parable

John 4:33-35King James Version Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Yoked with him our daily burdens can be lighter with a living hope beyond what the eyes see the temporal dying.

 

[Josheb]

was this for anyone specific?

No. It's a devotion. It is "for" anyone for whom it might be of benefit. It's not intended for discussion, either. It's a devotion. Most forums have a board specifically dedicated for devotions but since this forum does not have one, this was posted in the "Pilgrim's Progress" board for everyone's mutual edification.