Concrete Faith

Christmas time is approaching and my mind has turned to gift giving. When I was a kid I expected Christmas presents. I knew from an early age that my dad and mom were the only Santa in our home. Mom would tell me to make a list of things I might like for Christmas and she would see what she could get. I wasn't shy about making that list either. When mom said to make a list, I made a list. I eagerly awaited Christmas morning to find out what I had gotten. One thing I never did as a child was consider how my parents were going to pay for the things they bought me. I just considered it there job because I was their child. It was only later that I realized some of the sacrifices they made to show me that they loved me.

 Now that we are grown, it is easy to forget that someone else once bought the gifts. We rightfully take our place in the adult world and try to be productive members of society. Lists of anticipated Christmas gifts turn into long lists of work and family responsibilities and bills to be paid. We do not expect anyone to ask us for a list of what we want. With such responsibilities on our shoulders it is easy to forget that we do have a Heavenly Father who cares for our needs. The Bible says that our Heavenly Father is better than earthly parents. If earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more does our Heavenly Father give good gifts to his children? (Matthew 7:11).

 As I contemplated this topic  I had the following thought: my faith in God is not abstract. It is not just a good idea but a reality. My Heavenly Father loves me and wants to take care of me. Just as my parents would tell me to make a list, I can give God my lists of responsibilities. When the demands of life get overwhelming, I can give them to God and ask him to help. He will have ideas that I would never have thought of. He will come up with answers that I couldn't have foreseen. He cares about me and knows how to take care of my needs.

I believe he even cares about my wants. I recently told a relative this: if it concerns me, it concerns my God. I can pray about anything and God will not be offended. I believe He is happy that I trust him enough to give him my lists. My wife and I recently made such a list. We were talking about buying a house and the things we would  like to have in it. She suggested that we make a list and then give it to God so we did. In his timing, I expect God to give us the house we have asked for. We did not make an extravagant list but a practical one that will meet our needs and I believe God to honor it. It may seem silly to some, but I believe God will honor it. I have seen him honor such requests before. My faith in God is absolutely dependent upon his love for me and not my goodness. I am confident that I can go to him as a child to his father. I will not be shy in my request because I am a king's kid.

Sincerely,

Sullivan Jones

Meaning of Judgment

The favorite mantra of many today is "don't judge me." There are those who insist that a Christian has no right to judge and that any judgment of another is unchristlike. I was discussing this with one of my classmates and he brought out a good point. There is more than one meaning to the word judge. To judge can mean both "to pass sentence on" and "to discriminate or discern between."
If one is using the first meaning then it is certainly true that no human can decide the ultimate fate of another. Our understanding of the facts is limited. Ultimate heaven and hell judgment will be left up to God. Each of us will one day stand before the Creator and give account for the things he or she did while on earth. According to scripture, some will enter into eternal rest and some into eternal judgment on that day. As a Christian, I believe the criteria of who will enter into eternal rest (and who will not) is set out in the word of God. Those who have been born again, and lived a faithful Christian life, are promised the joys of heaven. The unregenerate do not have that promise. Only God will be able to decide on that day who is allowed into heaven and who will go to hell. Our understanding of the facts of each case it too limited to make such a judgment. God is not unfair, however, and the decision will be made based on the path to salvation he has laid out for us in his word.
The second meaning of judgment is to discriminate or discern. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is discernment (I Corinthians 12:8-10). Any manager knows that he or she will one day have to make a judgment call. One does not do this based on his own opinion but according to company policy. Every company has a manual somewhere that tells what is and is not allowed on the job. No one questions a manager's right to decide who is right in a dispute, even if they do not agree with her decision. A managers job often requires that he make a judgement. We make judgments on a regular basis while driving. Do I have time to merge or should I let that car pass? Should I beat this yellow light (not a good idea) or sit through a red light? These are judgment calls and a skilled driver will take them seriously. The same is true in one's relationship with God. Everyday I am called on to make a judgment. Is this music good for my spiritual life? How should I respond truthfully without being critical or sharing gossip? Is this preaching according to scripture or is this man stating his own opinions? All of these are judgments that a Christian can and must make to ensure her life is in line with the word of God.There is nothing wrong with making the statement that someone's lifestyle is contrary to the Word of God. Although these comments are not politically correct, they are necessary to practice Biblical and spiritual discernment. So is a Christian supposed to judge? The answer is absolutely YES! While I can not and would not wish to decide someone's eternal fate, I must constantly practice discernment while on this earth.

Sincerely,
Spanish Pastor Jones