Power Point - August 25, 2005
August 25, 2005
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. … But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
--Romans 14:4-10
Years ago, a gentleman walked up to D.L. Moody, the great evangelist who’s preaching brought thousands of people to Christ, and said, “I don’t like the way you do evangelism.”
Moody responded, “I appreciate that, brother. Tell me, how do you do evangelism? What’s your method?”
The man said, “I don’t really have a method.”
Quick-witted Moody replied, “Well, I like my method better than yours!”
As Christians, our methods are not going to match each others. Paul gives us four reasons for loving one another despite our differences and living together under the Lordship of Christ:
- Acceptance of Christ – Because of our acceptance in Christ as believers, we should accept one another.
- Accountability to Christ – Every person’s method of ministry is different. But our accountability is not to man, it is to God. So we are not to judge one another in our service to Christ.
- Assurance with Christ – Our salvation does not depend on whether or not we prove it to others, because we stand before God secure and complete.
- Appearance before Christ – Each of us will stand before Christ for how we lived. Instead of criticizing others, simply wait until the Day of Judgment when Christ will commend and critique.
We have been saved and set free. This does not mean that we violate biblical convictions, or use our liberty as a license to go against God’s Word and sin. We must never violate our own personal conscience as dictated by the Bible. But instead, we are to leave the judging of others to the Lord.
LEARN TO LOVE THE CHANGING METHODS OF OTHERS
AND LEAVE THE CRITIQUE AND JUDGMENT UP TO GOD.
