And You Are???
June 25, 2023
James 4:11-12
1. The Humble Christian
the Lord by
His
. (Vs. 11a; 12b; Rom 1:29-30; Lev 19:16, 18; James 2:8-9; John 7:24)
Romans 1:29b-30, “They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents…”
Leviticus 19:16, “Do not go about spreading slander among your people; do not jeopardize your neighbor’s life; I am the LORD.”
Leviticus 19:18, “Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.”
“In order to make clear the nature of the “judging” that James has in view here, he adds a final description of God: the one who is able to save and destroy. As Jesus reminded us, it is God alone who is able “to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). James therefore is thinking of “judging” in terms of determining the ultimate spiritual destiny of individuals.” (Carson, D. A., The Pillar New Testament Commentary)
James 2:8-9, “Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
John 7:24, “Stop judging according to outward appearances; rather judge according to righteous judgment.”
2. The Church Has One
…You
’t Him! (Vs. 11b, 12a, Rom 2:1, 1 Cor 4:5, Matt 10:28, John 12:47-48)
Romans 2:1, “Therefore, every one of you, who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.”
1 Corinthians 4:5, “So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts.”
Matthew 10:28, “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
John 12:47-48, [Jesus said] “If anyone hears my words and doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”