Living the Truth

'Im not like them," "I am as good as they are," "I'm a moral person," "I haven't committed any crimes so I'm alright." I'm sure we have heard at least one of these statements. I have, on many occasions. By the world's standard, yes, one may be good but in the eyes of God, we are all flawed human beings, born in sin and shaped in iniquity. Through our first parents Adam and Eve we have sinned. Romans 3:23 states, "for ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Yes, we all have sinned and are no good in the sight of God. While education, wealth and experience can shape the outward character of a man, they cannot influence the heart. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart," "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it? For who can change the heart? Only God knows the heart and only He alone change it. Furthermore, the q...

 Yes, I know everyone's favorite verse in the Bible, "judge not, that you be not judged Matthew 7:1 but it also goes on to say "for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with what measure you use, it will be measured to you" Matthew 7:2. Judging is not wrong but the premise upon which the judging is done is what is wrong. There is a distinction between judging a person's intentions/motives and judging the rightness or wrongness of their actions. That my friend, is where most of us as Christians err; myself included. Judging a person's character is internal and their actions are external. We tend to do the former. Since we cannot discern motive, you are incapable of judging another, in criticizing him, you are passing sentence upon yourself, for you show that you are a participant with Satan, the accuser of our brethren. Desire of Ages p. 314. However, the body of Christ has the right judge a believers' actions. Peter admonishe...