I think that is why we are not allowed to judge. We are always, always working with incomplete information. Only the Lord knows if that man truly repented or not.
Beyond that, even 3-steppers must admit that by repenting, this man made at least the first step towards salvation. Every one of us, started with that same 1st step.
Perhaps if you are still feeling uneasy it's because there is something else God is asking you to do. Maybe keep this man in your prayers, befriend him, or disciple him.
We are not instructed never to judge, but to judge with righteousness judgment - John 7:24
I see what your saying but the Thief on the cross contridicts your thinking...
The thief on the cross received what he needed. This has been stated before, but you choose to continually ignore that Jesus kept pointing to the time after He died in which we would receive His Spirit. The thief couldn't receive something that wasn't available yet.
Simply "accepting Christ" isn't enough. Jesus said you must be born again, of the water and the spirit. Reciting the "Sinner's Prayer" may be enough for repentence, if sincere ... but it does nothing for new birth.
The thief on the cross received what he needed. This has been stated before, but you choose to continually ignore that Jesus kept pointing to the time after He died in which we would receive His Spirit. The thief couldn't receive something that wasn't available yet.
Simply "accepting Christ" isn't enough. Jesus said you must be born again, of the water and the spirit. Reciting the "Sinner's Prayer" may be enough for repentence, if sincere ... but it does nothing for new birth.
So Elizabeth really did not have something that wasn't available yet...Luke said she did....I will bump a post so we can discuss futher in the deep water section
We are not instructed never to judge, but to judge with righteousness judgment - John 7:24
Whatever happened to Judge not, lest ye be judged?
Not to mention that other chapters in John that specifically talk about how the Father has left all judgment to the son, and then Jesus turns around and says that he came to save and not to judge. (John 5, 8 & 12) And I will also throw in the scripture in Romans about not Judging another man's servant. Overall, I would have to vote that the bible takes an anti-judging stance.
Yes we can make assumptions, have opinions, or theories. But it is pointless to judge another person's heart, motivations, or salvation. Only God is smart enough to do that.
Whatever happened to Judge not, lest ye be judged?
Not to mention that other chapters in John that specifically talk about how the Father has left all judgment to the son, and then Jesus turns around and says that he came to save and not to judge. (John 5, 8 & 12) And I will also throw in the scripture in Romans about not Judging another man's servant. Overall, I would have to vote that the bible takes an anti-judging stance.
Yes we can make assumptions, have opinions, or theories. But it is pointless to judge another person's heart, motivations, or salvation. Only God is smart enough to do that.
(3)Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
(4) If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
When God speaks of "righteous" judgment, He is speaking of us being careful with a person's heart, motivations and salvation. But, the scripture still implies and instructs that we will judge things - in this life also.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;"
This passage is a form of judging those that labor among us. "Know" means to perceive, be aware, look on. That would be for the purpose of protecting ourselves from those that would oppose sound doctrine.
Matthew 7:16 "Ye shall know them by their fruits."
Same implication as above - know them.
When he tells us not to judge a servant in Romans 14, he speaks, also, of judging in ourselves whether we will cause our brother to stumble or put an occasion before him to stumble.
We judge with "righteous" judgment - watching the mote or beam in our own eye - bringing ourselves into subjection lest while preaching, we ourselves should become a castaway/rejected.
We judge.....in this life.
I will also add that God is instructing us NOT to judge hypocritically, according to Matthew 7:2 "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
I see what your saying but the Thief on the cross contridicts your thinking...
The thief on the cross was in a wonderful and one of a kind position. Jesus hadn't died yet, so the thief was still under OT law. And right at the moment of his death, he had the two things he needed for cleansing... a lamb and a priest... As a matter of fact, he had The Lamb and The High Priest. He was in a beautiful, amazing situation, but it wasn't the same as we face today.
Whatever happened to Judge not, lest ye be judged?
Not to mention that other chapters in John that specifically talk about how the Father has left all judgment to the son, and then Jesus turns around and says that he came to save and not to judge. (John 5, 8 & 12) And I will also throw in the scripture in Romans about not Judging another man's servant. Overall, I would have to vote that the bible takes an anti-judging stance.
Yes we can make assumptions, have opinions, or theories. But it is pointless to judge another person's heart, motivations, or salvation. Only God is smart enough to do that.
If you want to set yourself up as judge over others, that is your choice. But I personally choose to leave that to God.
I believe that there is a big difference in using discernment about someone else in reference to your own spirituality (i.e. whether to partner with them in their ministry, or join their organization, etc.), and to walk around putting everyone else in heaven or hell.
For the record, this is exactly why I believe that the Bible can't be used as a rulebook!
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Re: Went a-Soulwinning....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson
With an Assembly of God friend of mine last Saturday night.
It wasn't planned at first-- it just happened.
An awkward moment came when my friend wanted me to lead our new convert in a "sinner's prayer". In fact, my friend asked me if I knew, "The Sinner's Prayer" and I told him, "No," but I was willing to pray.
The most awkward moment came when after my friend led the new convert in a "sinner's prayer", he announced to the new convert,
"YOU'RE SAVED! YOU'RE SAVED!! HOW DO YOU FEEL?"
The guy said he felt good, felt happy.
But I could not help to feel that somehow, something was missing.
I told him with as much intensity as I could that God had so much more for him and that he is not to stop here- but to keep seeking the Lord, reading and obeying His Word.
We parted ways soon after that.
I have prayed for this guy, but I can't shake the feeling that there was indeed something incomplete about the whole transaction.
Just thought I'd share this experience.
You handled the situation the best you could under the circumstances. You can just pray that the repentant sinner will think about what you said and do some searching for that MORE you told him was available. The guy probably did feel happy and he should have, he just took the first step to salvation although I'm not a great fan of the canned sinners prayer.
You handled the situation the best you could under the circumstances. You can just pray that the repentant sinner will think about what you said and do some searching for that MORE you told him was available. The guy probably did feel happy and he should have, he just took the first step to salvation although I'm not a great fan of the canned sinners prayer.
Add another step, then another, and he's gonna start wondering "how many more steps are there?"
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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