Judging

March 27, 2023

Do the Right Thing

James 4.11-17

We need to be careful not to speak against or judge our neighbor. Doing so puts us at odds, not only with the law (love your neighbor as yourself) but even more terrifyingly…it puts us at odds with the Lawgiver and Judge, the only One who is able to save and destroy.

And when it comes to making plans, we should put the Lord at the center of them. That can be a pretty scary proposition…it may cause us to change our plans altogether, especially the ones we know He wouldn’t approve of. But when we put Him at the center, there’s a great chance that whatever it is, it will bring glory to Him. Remember, we’re not the main character in our story. He is. He has the right to call the shots. To set the agenda. Brings to mind Proverbs 3.5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our James series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

March 2, 2015

Easter Devotional – March 2

Matthew 7:15-20

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.

Don’t judge a book by its cover…but DO judge a tree by its fruit. The analogy of the tree suggests that we have to wait and see what kind of fruit is produced…but it will be evident…our hearts will be revealed in our fruit. This passage is often used to justify judging others who claim to be prophets, but could this be a call for us to examine our own lives? Examining our lives allows us to make sure we’re grounded and rooted in Christ, causing us to bear good fruit.

Take the time to read Psalm 1. Where our roots are planted and fed affects our fruit. Where are your roots planted? Are you growing, getting fed by the very best? How’s your fruit?

Prayer: God, I want to be firmly planted by Your streams. Draw my roots toward You so that I might bear good fruit.

 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)