SERMON - GOD ALONE IS OUR JUDGE

GOD ALONE IS OUR JUDGE

God teaches us what is wrong and what is right

At my age I have heard so very many teachings that seek to deny man the right to heaven. So many man made laws are sought to be imposed on God’s children one might think he or she has a means of earning entry into heaven.

Ephesians 2: 8-9

God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God, salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

So, we learn that man made laws such as:

• Chewing tobacco,
• Dancing,
• Drinking, (at all)
• Listening to rock and roll,
• Watching suggestive television,
• Wearing makeup,
• Wearing of jewelry,
• Reading the Sunday paper,
• Swimming with the opposite sex,
• Wearing skirts that are too short,
• Wearing your hair too long,
• Eating meat on Friday,
• Drinking coffee, tea or sodas,
• Watching movies,
• Reading magazines,
• Wearing perfume,
• Wearing dyed clothing,
• Smiling in church,
• Letting your ankles show (women),

And on and on and on, have no real application to Godliness.

Just as these man made laws are not reflected in the Bible, claims such as:

• If you are not Catholic you are doomed to hell,
• If you are not Lutheran you are doomed to hell,
• If you are not Calvinist you are doomed to hell,
• If you are not Jewish and keep God’s laws you will go to Gehenna or suffer the loss of your soul.

Again, the list of religious teachings that apply to particular denominations and beliefs go on and on.

Our Bible teaches us to judge human things, but does not teach us to judge what is in a man’s heart and whether he will enter heaven or be doomed to hell. How then are persons of differing religions allowed to judge other peoples hearts. The answer is clear, they are not allowed to judge whether a man is going to heaven or to hell. Only God has the right to grant eternal peace, not man.

All too many churches, especially Christian churches are seen by many to be ‘clubs or cliques people who think themselves to be more righteous than the average man.’  Does anyone of you think that will make God happy? Isn’t God’s Word clear when He teaches us to bring others to Him?

God and God alone is the judge of a man’s soul. You may discern and deny the evil that a man does, and do so in a correct manner, and be ‘in sync’ with God’s teachings, but God alone can judge a man’s soul.

Matthew 7:1 “Stop judging others and you will not be judged.”

Latter Day Saint’s followers teach that any person not of their belief is a ‘son of perdition.’ A follower of Islam teaches that persons not of the Muslim faith are ‘infidels’ and thereby cursed by God. As previously stated, many denominations claim to be the sole decider of the eternal fate of any man.

I repeat and do so vigorously, God and God alone will decide who will and who will not be allowed to enter heaven.

Once, while traveling on an airplane I found myself sitting next to a man that I identified as a Mormon Elder. He noticed the Bible I was carrying was in a cover that bore a Christian cross on it. In his exuberance to attempt to preach Mormonism to me he struck up a conversation. Although we nodded in agreement on different statements it became evident that our agreements were to differing understandings.

 Before long I asked, “If I can point out one (1) similarity, and the only similarity we two share, will you listen to me as I read my Bible?”  Confidently he replied, “Yes.”

I answered my own question when I said, “We are both sinners.”

The man sat in silence and after a few moments said, “You are right.”

I was referencing 1 John 8 and 1 John 10.

8- If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth.

10- If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts.

I then read aloud, to him, the Book of Matthew all throughout the remainder of the flight. I stressed Matthew 1: 18 and 20.

18- …But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

20- …For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.

(Mormons teach that all men will become god but only a begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, is God.)

As the flight landed he asked, “Would you like to know what Joseph Smith said about that?” I answered, with a smile, “No, I do not care what that man said and never will.”

I sowed the seed. God will water it or He will not. But, I knew I was talking with a man who saw me, as a Christian, as damned and as a ‘son of perdition,’ due to my disbelief in the Mormon faith.

As I arose from my seat I said, “God alone will be the judge of my soul, not you nor any religion.” 

If you are Christian and believe in your heart the teachings of God, if you repent of your sins, you are not doomed no matter what your denomination is or if you are nondenominational in your Christian beliefs.

If you believe that by keeping man made laws will somehow gain you the right to heaven, you are mistaken. If you were told, “You must not wash your body until another man tells you, You Stink,” would you think yourself more Godly?

Does anyone think that God wants anyone to teach that a named faith is the only path to God? I think not.

‘Denominations are man seeking God while Christianity is God seeking man.’

The rule Jesus told us to be seen as the Golden Rule is spelled it in ‘plain language’ in Matthew 7: 12

Matthew 7: 12 “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

(Closing prayer)

Holy God we praise you. You are our Judge and only You can see our hearts. Please instill in the hearts of others that Christianity is the way to You.  Lord, make us ever aware You are God and the words and false judgments of man are just that, false. Keep our love focused on You Lord and strengthen us so that we may live according to Your will. Our desire is to do Your will and your will alone. 

El Shaddai, we thank You for your Words and with all our hearts we will follow You and all Your teachings.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Elohim.

Amen, amen and amen.

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Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry
Conservative Patriot http://conpats.blogspot.com