Judge Yourself First And Receive God's Mercy
I like sports. I think sports are some of God's gifts to mankind. 🙂 I once trained with the track team at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. Now, I'm just a big college sports fan. College sports in the US is run by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Sometimes, a school breaks the rules and the NCAA launches an investigation. When a college is under investigation by the NCAA for suspected violations the school has two options.
Option 1 is to wait for the NCAA's investigation to be completed and see what happens. Option 2 is for the school to launch its own investigation and self-impose sanctions or punishment before the NCAA gets a chance to act. Option 2 is not just an admission of guilt but a willingness to accept the consequences. Such a move can usually trigger leniency from the NCAA.
Today, we continue with Part 8 of our latest series; "God's Mercy - Why Do Some Get More Than Others?" See Part 1 for the full list of seven points described in "A Method To God's Mercy". Click here for Part 7 - "God's Mysterious Love And The Victory It Brings". We'll continue today with 4) People who judge themselves before receiving God's judgment get special access to God's mercy.
Job 33:14-18(NLT) - For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride. He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death.
When God's judgment is closing in on someone He sends out clear warning signals. First, The Holy Spirit convicts the person's heart (John 16:7-8). He also reaches out by speaking to the person directly through dreams or visions. That's the most common and effective way to communicate a warning. It's private, simple and undeniable.
If private communication doesn't work, God employs the help of others through prophetic words, pointed sermons, books, blogs or other forms of written or verbal communication (Ezekiel 33:1-11). These messengers from God are only responsible for delivering the message. Once the delivery is complete, they are free to move on with their lives.
Nonetheless, when a person consistently ignores the voice of The Holy Spirit, the person's sensitivity to God decreases (Romans 1:18-28). In that case, drastic times call for drastic measures. God may then choose to use external signs including unusual natural phenomena to get the person's attention. At the same time, God may also employ the services of angels, His heavenly messengers (Numbers 22:21-31). When the angels get involved, things go to a whole new level.
These are all part of God's plan to save a person from impending judgment.
1 Corinthians 11:31-32(NKJV) - For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
God warns people so they can impose self judgment before receiving His judgment. Even though His judgment is fair and merciful it's better to judge yourself first before He has to get involved. His judgment is designed to cause repentance so if repentance comes first it won't be necessary.
How many times have you seen someone receive stiff judgment from God and wondered why it had to go so far? That judgment was a last resort. Before God chastened the person He sent conviction by The Holy Spirit, warnings in dreams and visions, warnings through people along with even natural and supernatural signs.
Over and over, God tries to get people's attention before He has to do something drastic. He loves His children so much that He won't leave us to suffer the consequences of our sins without first giving us an opportunity to repent. He even gives us a chance to escape His judgment and that's much more lenient than the harvest of sin.
His judgment is an expression of His love because it is designed to save us from disaster. His warnings are an even greater expression of His love because they are designed to save us from His judgment. Warnings, judgment, disaster.... that's the order. Thank God we can jump off the train at any point before it reaches its final destination.
Anyway, once God starts issuing warnings, it's time for self-judgment. Here's how it works.
Proverbs 14:12(NKJV) - There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
2 Corinthians 10:12(NKJV) - For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
You can't judge yourself properly if you don't have a proper standard. You can't judge yourself by yourself nor can you judge yourself by comparing yourself to others. That may seem right at the time but it doesn't have a happy ending. If you judge yourself by your own flexible standards you will always think you're doing fine. You will make excuses for your transgressions and overestimate your accomplishments.
Luke 18:9-14(NKJV) - Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
"Yeah, I sin but I don't sin like that guy. Compared to him I'm The Virgin Mary." (insert scoff)
If you judge yourself by others there is a high probability that you will compare yourself to people who make you feel better about yourself. For example, if your problem is alcohol you might compare yourself with the drunk fool lying in a drain completely unaware. Yes, you have a drinking problem but it's not that bad. At least when you're drunk you fall flat on the floor of your own house and not in a public drain. (insert scoff)
That's what self-judgment is not. Here's what it is!
James 1:22-25(NLT) - But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
The standard for living this Christian life is The Word of God. Therefore, you can use it like you use a mirror everyday. Every morning you look into The Word and judge what you see. Where your life doesn't match The Word you make adjustments. Where your life does match The Word you add reinforcements. If you need to clean up your life in certain areas The Word will let you see it.
That's one reason why its important to be in God's Word everyday. You're a work in progress so you always need God's Word. Don't forsake church attendance. Always read good Christian books. Listen to good Bible teaching. Surround yourself with God's Word and you will surround yourself with the truth.
Make sure you read devotionals like these and pay special attention to the scriptures. When you don't understand something, don't be afraid to ask. Don't forget to pray about things you don't yet agree with. This is how you judge yourself, God's Way. When you're faced with the truth don't just stand there, do something with it. 🙂
Hebrews 4:12-13(NKJV) - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Jeremiah 17:9-10(NKJV) - “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
It's important to know what's in your heart and the only way to know for sure is The Word of God. People who are consistently faced with The Word of God can successfully judge themselves. The more of The Word of God in your heart, the more you'll judge yourself before you get caught in a web of sin (Psalm 119:11).
Why do some people receive more mercy than others? They judge themselves first before God judges them. You can do it too. It works.
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Hi Donnell, again thank you for your word and great efforts i really look forward to hear what next you ‘re coming with every word you speak is so edifying and brings a consciousness of god and your standing with him. May God continually to bless you richly. I would like to ask you how do you access or reach the things or blessings that God has for you? I had a dream once i saw a van was packed with boil corn in the tray looking all ready to eat i was yearning or wondered how do i get it ? I thought i had to buy it or i guess i didn’t want to ask. I watched and then i saw the van left i went searching for it and i saw the person and told her i wanted a corn she said it was there all the time for you to take and we left to carry it somewhere else then she brought out one for me which was left. And i had access to it if i only asked or go to her. I do ask the Lord he supplies my needs but i need a financial breakthrough and stability.
You’re welcome Charlene. Your dream sounds like a very good one with some very good principles in there. Yes, God has already provided all of your needs and you just have to ask Him. He will take care of you right where you are. At the very least, God promises to care of His children’s basic needs. However, if you want to climb higher financially so that you can have a breakthrough and operate in abundance you’ll need to become proficient in certain Kingdom financial principles. I have a couple videos you can watch which will help you to understand how The Bible teaches these.
Click to watch at anytime;
1) Power Over Money
2) Get Your Harvest
3) Kingdom Economics
4) Game Changing Christians
Reading this devotional reminds about something I experience one year ago. I committed a sin that I was fully aware that it was wrong and still went through to fulfill it. Not once but multiple times and God catch up with me. Boy…………That was so embracing because he caught up with me in church service and Holy Spirit literally moved me from my seat to the altar and dealt with me severely till I was in a lot of tears and my body was shaking like a tree under heavy winds. I clearly understand what it means to have God catch up with you before you truly repent.
My advice to everyone reading today’s devotional is really hearken to what the Lord is saying through Donnell in this series because we are being tested and what I mentioned didn’t happen once but a couple times well. I can truly say I learn my lesson “The Hard Way”. Don’t be like me…….Examine yourself actions with the Word of God…….Line them up and act right before the Lord.
Martin, thanks for your testimony. Your heart is in the right place and even when God judges, He is so merciful. It’s one year later and look at how He’s moving in your life now. This is the God we serve. This is the God we love. This is the God of Mercy. Amen brother.
hmmm.. this is so true. Martin i can testify with you however mine was a bit different. i was also in sin and i was fully aware of it and still i went ahead and agreed to be apart of what i knew was wrong. when i went to service on the sunday, BAM! the Word was right on target i mean dead on target, i felt sooo shame like if everyone knew what i did, like if the preacher saw right through me, the next day i went and pull myself out of what i agreed to do…. i lost a “freind” for years but i wasnt willing for GOD to expose me that wouldnt of just destroyed me, it would of destroyed my mother and my family, so i chose to let it go. o i’m glad i did! thank YOU JESUS!
Donnell with what you said about the Word of GOD is true. the more i’m in the Word both written and spoken, the more i am encouraged to live right. to get rid of what is killing me spiritually. now its a challenge for me because i never developed a liking for reading, so now that affects me all round. i am trying to at least start with the Word of GOD and then move to Christian books and i know it will help me to get better in school. Pray for me!
thanks for the word 🙂
Glory to God, Kathrina. The truth has made you free. Love your testimony. I have prayed for you that your faith would not fail. God will finish the good work He started in you.
thanks for the prayer and encouragement…. remember me in your prayer even while you pray for the youths that you lead in your church. sometimes its hard for me to stay on track especially when i see my ex school mates and friends in the world prospering more than me, many are getting married and so on. i use to wrestle with GOD about why HE called me so young, why didnt HE wait until i had more experience in the world ,until i hit clubs and so on but now i see! i am privileged. i am not just blessed but i am divinely favoured. honestly i am still unsure on where i fit in but one thing i do know that i will serve the LORD for the rest of my life. everytime i think about HIM and HIS love and mercy and grace towards me i cry. its just mind blowing, to hard to comprehend why HE choose me but i am humbled and grateful HE did!
Psalm 27:4….One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.
No problem Kathrina, Psalm 73 is one of my favorites. Check it out when you look around and see the wicked prosper. Just think about the end of the process. It won’t be happy. Then look forward to the happy end of your process. I agree that it’s a privilege to be called of The Lord at a young age. God’s process to prosperity sometimes takes a long time but when you get there you stay there for eternity. Remain faithful.