WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning. It's good to see you all here.

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 It was one of the most significant moments of my life for many reasons.

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 Sitting in a room, seeking to resolve conflict with a good brother who loves the Lord,

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 a mediator looked at me and said, in effect,

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 that I had exercised judgment in a destructive way in the conflict I was having with this brother and in this relationship.

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 And in that moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart,

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 revealed to me that the more that I care about something, the more judgmental I become of others.

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 It showed me how much I loved to judge other people.

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 Ah, to be the judge.

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 It feels good, doesn't it?

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 I don't think I'm alone.

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 In loving that role, it shows itself, I believe, in all sorts of ways.

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 From the casual, did you see what he wore last night to the party?

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 To the deeply destructive, you got fired?

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 I knew you would never amount to anything.

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 Judgment is something that can happen on a societal level.

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 As our society today is grappling with the fact for years,

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 this country has judged people on their gender and the color of their skin,

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 rather than their intrinsic worth.

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 It's created in the image of God.

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 Judgment can be brutal, like a lynch mob or a violent confrontation.

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 And it can be subtle, like the quiet whispers at a department cocktail party or a family reunion

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 or a church fellowship hour.

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 Judgment happens a lot these days online.

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 The culture of canceling is a culture of judgment.

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 Driven by a desire to impose our judgments on other people.

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 Why do we judge, my friends?

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 We love it because it makes us feel superior.

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 We love it because it gives us a sense of power over others.

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 We love it because it covers up our own insecurities.

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 And we gain against its significance

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 by distinguishing ourselves from others and disparaging them.

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 But friends, God has a strong word to us this morning.

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 To us who love judging others.

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 We're in the book of James, chapter 4.

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 We're looking at just verses 11 through 12 this morning

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 because this is such a significant topic.

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 We're going to focus on this.

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 If you're at home or here in the service, in person,

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 if you have an opportunity to turn there with me,

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 we're going to read James 4 together.

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 And as you're turning there,

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 just let me remind you what we looked at last week.

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 Last week, James reminded us that we have quarrels and fights.

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 And why is that?

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 He said because we're controlled by passions

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 that are ultimately fundamentally self-centered.

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 They're about us.

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 And in that, we participate in a world view

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 and a world pattern that is in rejection of God himself.

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 And that God calls us to repent of that

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 and to turn to God in humble repentance,

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 submission,

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 and ultimately to land in a place not of judgment,

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 but of humility.

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 That's what we saw in verse 10,

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 that we are called to humble ourselves before the Lord,

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 that he will exalt us.

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 And that leads us then to verse 11 and 12,

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 which we'll read now.

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 James 4, verse 11 and 12.

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 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters.

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 The one who speaks against a brother or sister

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 or judges his or her brother or sister

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 speaks evil against the law and judges the law.

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 But if you judge the law,

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 you are not a doer of the law,

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 but a judge.

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 There is only one lawgiver and judge.

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 He who is able to save and to destroy.

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 Who are you to judge your neighbor?

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 Let's pray.

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 Lord, we ask this morning,

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 Lord, by your spirit,

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 will you do work in our hearts?

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 Lord, as we have confessed earlier,

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 how often we love to see the speck in our brother's eye,

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 our sister's eye,

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 how often we see it in our neighbors

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 and yet ignore the log in our own.

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 God, I pray that you would help us to see that this morning.

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 And Lord, we pray that by your grace,

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 we would see you

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 and ourselves in light of you this morning

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 and that you would root out this love

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 and change our hearts.

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 We pray this, Lord, in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, God has a hard word for us, does he not?

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 What does God think about judgment?

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 We are not to judge others

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 because God is the ultimate judge of all.

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 And in this passage, as we walk through it,

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 we're going to see two reasons

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 and then we're going to talk about two questions that arise.

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 We're going to do reason

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 and then a question that arises

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 and reason and then a question that arises.

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 So let, first of all,

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 in verse 11, what do we see?

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 What is the first reason in verse 11?

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 We are not to judge

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 because judgment is a violation of humility.

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 You see, in verse 11,

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 as you look through the flow,

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 it's actually a little bit more challenging

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 than we think to know what he's saying here,

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 but he starts by saying,

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 do not speak evil.

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 And this word has been translated in lots of different ways.

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 Sometimes it's slander.

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 Sometimes it's criticized.

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 In other translations, malign, disparage, backbite.

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 The core idea here is that of defamation.

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 That is, we speak to denigrate,

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 to speak down of someone else,

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 to speak poorly of someone else.

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 And here's the thing.

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 This word doesn't say that what you're saying is not true.

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 It could be truthful things that are being said,

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 but they're being spoken with the purpose

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 of elevating ourselves,

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 and more importantly,

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 of diminishing or oppressing

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 or sitting over someone else.

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 It is not actually as much a violation of love,

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 for we can speak the truth and love to someone,

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 but it is a violation of humility.

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 I am going to stand over you

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 in the words that I speak about you.

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 You see this because James then turns the corner,

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 right?

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 The one who speaks against one

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 or judges one,

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 and that's where you see he turns his vocabulary to say,

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 this is about our judgment of other people.

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 And to sit with a power to condemn others,

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 often, maybe always,

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 with a heart of selfishness or jealousy

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 that drives us,

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 we love to put others down.

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 We love to put others down

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 so that we might seem better than them.

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 And the focus here, I think,

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 is on verbal judgment.

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 We're in a long section

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 where Peter's been,

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 or I'm sorry,

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 where James has been talking about speech

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 and words.

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 But remember what we read earlier

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 in James chapter 2,

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 where he was talking about

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 how you treat people

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 when they walk into a meeting room

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 or a meal.

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 He says,

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 if you pay attention to the one

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 who wears the fine clothing

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 and say,

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 you sit here in a good place,

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 while you say to the poor man,

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 you sit over there

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 or sit down at my feet,

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 have you not then made distinctions

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 among yourselves

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 and become judges

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 with evil thoughts?

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 So this judgment can be seen

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 by the things that we say

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 and it can be seen

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 by the way that we treat other people.

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 James goes on in verse 11

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 to then say this,

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 the one who speaks evil

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 or judges his brother

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 speaks evil against the law

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 and judges the law.

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 You see,

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 this violation of humility

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 is not merely because

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 we want to think better

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 of ourselves

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 than other people

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 and to put them down.

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 It's also that we

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 think ourselves better

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 than God's law.

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 Because when we judge other people,

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 we take on

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 a heart of arrogance.

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 We know what is right.

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 We know what is true.

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 We make ourselves

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 the judge, jury,

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 and executioner

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 of someone else.

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 We determine by our words

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 their standing

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 before God's law.

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 And we pronounce

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 their place

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 before God's law

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 by our evaluation.

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 Mother Teresa

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 famously said

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 that you can't judge others

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 because if you do,

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 there's no room

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 to love others.

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 when we spend

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 our time

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 condemning others,

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 we fail then

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 to become

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 a doer of the law

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 as James has been

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 encouraging us

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 throughout this whole letter.

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 When we allow

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 our minds

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 to be consumed

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 with thinking

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 and meditating on

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 and developing

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 our argumentation

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 for why someone else

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 is in the wrong

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 and why we should

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 disparage them,

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 we have no room

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 left in our heart

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 to actually love

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 someone.

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 We violate God's law

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 and it's called

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 a humility

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 and it's called

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 to integrity.

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 This is what Jody

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 read to us

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 in the passage earlier.

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 The words of Jesus.

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 Why do you look

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 at your brother

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 and see the speck

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 in his eye

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 and ignore

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 the log

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 in your own?

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 when we

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 speak

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 and think

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 and act

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 in judgment

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 of others,

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 we are denying

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 the reality

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 of our own

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 sinfulness

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 and our own

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 deserve

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 of judgment.

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 One commentator,

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 Alex Motier,

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 says this,

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 defamation

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 defamation

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 begins

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 and lives

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 on

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 in our minds.

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 It is something

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 we say to ourselves

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 long before

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 we pass it on.

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 But if our minds

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 were drilled

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 in biblical attitudes,

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 then love

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 for our brothers

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 would begin

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 to root out

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 censoriousness.

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 That's a big word.

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 Would root out

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 our critical spirit.

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 Consideration

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 for our neighbors

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 would begin

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 to replace

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 the hurtful

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 and arrogant

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 words.

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 Replace them

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 with helpful

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 and caring

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 pastoral

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 concern

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 for others.

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 Friends,

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 God tells us

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 to stop

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 judging others

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 because it is

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 a violation

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 of the humility

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 that he calls

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 us to.

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 what are the

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 contexts in which

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 we might be

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 tempted to?

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 I thought

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 about a few

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 in our culture

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 today.

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 Our political

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 leanings

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 and affiliations

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 are areas

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 where it is

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 very easy

00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.980
 to demonize

00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:28.480
 the other

00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.259
 who disagrees

00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:29.860
 with us

00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:31.120
 and to look

00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:31.779
 down on them

00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.500
 and to treat

00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.419
 them as less

00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.519
 because of

00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.480
 our disagreements.

00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:38.779
 it also

00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:41.240
 can happen

00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:42.060
 in lots

00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:42.440
 of other

00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:42.940
 ways.

00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:45.779
 In families,

00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:46.980
 how we

00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:47.420
 parent

00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:49.580
 is an easy

00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:50.300
 place for us

00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:50.879
 to sit in

00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.220
 judgment

00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.279
 of other

00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:52.860
 families

00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:53.620
 and other

00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.220
 parents.

00:12:55.060 --> 00:12:55.860
 It's easy

00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.360
 for us to

00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:56.800
 judge one

00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:57.300
 another in

00:12:57.300 --> 00:12:57.800
 the choices

00:12:57.800 --> 00:12:58.440
 of schools

00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:58.840
 that we

00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.200
 make.

00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.360
 It's easy

00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.060
 to look down

00:13:03.060 --> 00:13:03.779
 on a Yankees

00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.800
 fan if you're

00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:05.379
 a Red Sox

00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:05.719
 fan.

00:13:07.099 --> 00:13:07.639
 All right,

00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:08.159
 that's humor.

00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:08.740
 We can laugh

00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.139
 about that,

00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:09.319
 right?

00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:11.559
 But we do

00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:12.159
 this from the

00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:12.919
 trivial to the

00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:13.659
 very important,

00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.539
 how we spend

00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.039
 our money.

00:13:18.079 --> 00:13:18.740
 There's so

00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:19.299
 many different

00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:20.120
 areas in which

00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:21.120
 we are so

00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.899
 quick to

00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:23.219
 judge other

00:13:23.219 --> 00:13:23.859
 people.

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.039
 What movies

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.839
 will you watch

00:13:26.839 --> 00:13:27.759
 or not watch?

00:13:29.099 --> 00:13:29.979
 What media

00:13:29.979 --> 00:13:30.919
 will you consume

00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:31.419
 or not

00:13:31.419 --> 00:13:32.059
 consume?

00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:35.279
 all these

00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:35.799
 things.

00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:37.119
 It's so

00:13:37.119 --> 00:13:38.099
 easy for us

00:13:38.099 --> 00:13:39.079
 to judge

00:13:39.079 --> 00:13:39.619
 one another.

00:13:39.819 --> 00:13:40.259
 And look,

00:13:40.599 --> 00:13:41.259
 we need to

00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.119
 recognize something.

00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:42.959
 In all of

00:13:42.959 --> 00:13:43.819
 these areas,

00:13:44.619 --> 00:13:45.279
 from the

00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.279
 most serious

00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.119
 ones to the

00:13:47.119 --> 00:13:47.759
 most trivial,

00:13:48.459 --> 00:13:49.000
 there's a

00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.959
 great opportunity

00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:50.919
 for robust

00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:51.599
 discussion,

00:13:52.119 --> 00:13:52.519
 civil

00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.459
 disagreement,

00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:54.399
 and strong

00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:54.899
 feelings.

00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:56.199
 It's okay to

00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:56.779
 talk about

00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:57.399
 these things

00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:58.119
 and to have

00:13:58.119 --> 00:13:58.799
 disagreements

00:13:58.799 --> 00:13:59.419
 about them.

00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.319
 In fact,

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.360
 we ought to

00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:01.779
 see them as

00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:03.019
 wonderful opportunities

00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.719
 for us to

00:14:03.719 --> 00:14:04.839
 grow by

00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:05.799
 discussing and

00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:06.459
 learning how

00:14:06.459 --> 00:14:07.459
 others who

00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:08.279
 think differently

00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.379
 than us,

00:14:09.979 --> 00:14:10.799
 how they think

00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:11.779
 about what

00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.459
 they believe

00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:13.039
 and how they

00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.459
 live.

00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.759
 So I'm not

00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.259
 saying that we

00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:18.839
 ought to never

00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:19.799
 talk about these

00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:20.819
 things or even

00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:21.959
 not to disagree

00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:22.759
 about them.

00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:24.299
 But when we

00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:25.019
 become the

00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.500
 police,

00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.919
 when we sit

00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.539
 in judgment

00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.439
 of others,

00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.159
 when we

00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:30.139
 dismiss them,

00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:31.500
 disparage them

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.439
 in word or

00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:32.959
 in deed,

00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:34.120
 James says we

00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.980
 lack humility

00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.459
 and we have

00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:37.439
 failed to walk

00:14:37.439 --> 00:14:38.000
 in the path

00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:38.519
 of wisdom

00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.740
 and wholeness

00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.439
 that this book

00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:41.039
 is encouraging

00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:41.860
 us to walk

00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:42.059
 in.

00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:45.799
 So this is

00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.519
 the first thing

00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.500
 and it raises

00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.459
 a question for

00:14:48.459 --> 00:14:48.779
 us.

00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.339
 If you've been

00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:51.000
 in church for

00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.939
 a while or

00:14:51.939 --> 00:14:52.659
 even if in

00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.339
 our society,

00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.299
 there are times

00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:54.860
 when we have

00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.259
 this sense,

00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:55.860
 but doesn't

00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.639
 the Bible tell

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.399
 us to judge?

00:14:58.219 --> 00:14:58.819
 Doesn't the

00:14:58.819 --> 00:14:59.579
 Bible says we

00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:00.319
 need to make

00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.240
 decisions about

00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:01.519
 things?

00:15:01.719 --> 00:15:02.319
 We need to

00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.019
 determine what

00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.379
 is right.

00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.319
 And the fact

00:15:04.319 --> 00:15:04.919
 is that the

00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.799
 answer is yes,

00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.799
 it is true.

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.439
 Jesus himself

00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:10.639
 told the crowds

00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.740
 stop judging

00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.379
 by mere

00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.459
 appearances and

00:15:13.459 --> 00:15:14.259
 make a right

00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.759
 judgment about

00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.360
 the religious

00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:16.879
 leaders.

00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:20.199
 In Matthew

00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:21.120
 7, right

00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.759
 after the

00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.159
 do not

00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.559
 judge,

00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:24.259
 Jesus tells

00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.879
 the crowds

00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.879
 in 7,

00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.559
 15 and

00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:28.159
 following to

00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:28.860
 beware of

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.740
 false prophets

00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:31.039
 of those who

00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:31.480
 will teach

00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.460
 untrue things

00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:33.299
 and who live

00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.059
 lives that are

00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:34.679
 contrary to

00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:35.480
 God's path.

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.980
 In Galatians 2,

00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.059
 we see the

00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:39.919
 apostle Paul

00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:41.039
 confronting his

00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.080
 brother, the

00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:42.879
 apostle Peter,

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.120
 because of his

00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.460
 behavior and how

00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.720
 he was disparaging

00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.819
 the Gentiles

00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:51.160
 and denying

00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:51.920
 the gospel in

00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.640
 the process.

00:15:54.280 --> 00:15:55.280
 We know that

00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:55.720
 in Matthew

00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.620
 18 and in

00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.180
 1 Corinthians

00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.160
 5 and 6,

00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.640
 the church is

00:15:59.640 --> 00:16:00.420
 called to

00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:01.680
 address sin

00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:02.800
 in the lives

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.300
 of a brother

00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:03.879
 or sister,

00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:05.980
 even to the

00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:07.480
 point of

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.720
 declaring them

00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.740
 no longer

00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:11.320
 consistent in

00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:11.920
 their profession

00:16:11.920 --> 00:16:12.520
 of faith and

00:16:12.520 --> 00:16:13.140
 their life.

00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.820
 So we need

00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:16.440
 to acknowledge

00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.240
 that yes,

00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.220
 the Bible does

00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:18.940
 call us to

00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:20.180
 have discernment

00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:20.940
 and even at

00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.539
 times to

00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.299
 make judgment.

00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.700
 But listen

00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.759
 to Galatians

00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:30.279
 chapter 6

00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:30.940
 verses 1

00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:31.440
 and 2

00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:31.960
 or 1

00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.460
 through 3.

00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.659
 The apostle

00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:34.340
 Paul writes

00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:34.860
 this,

00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.399
 Restore a

00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:38.200
 fallen brother

00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:38.720
 or sister,

00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:40.399
 but do it in

00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.299
 all humility.

00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:42.820
 Brothers,

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.799
 if anyone is

00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:44.539
 caught in any

00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.180
 transgression,

00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:45.759
 you who are

00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.620
 spiritual should

00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.220
 restore him.

00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.560
 in a spirit

00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:49.639
 of gentleness,

00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.019
 keep watch on

00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.539
 yourself,

00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.600
 lest you too

00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.259
 be tempted.

00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.519
 Bear one

00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.379
 another's burdens

00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.379
 and so fulfill

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.019
 the law of

00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.480
 Christ.

00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.080
 For if anyone

00:16:59.080 --> 00:16:59.940
 thinks he is

00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:00.560
 something when

00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:01.240
 he is nothing,

00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.240
 he deceives

00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.220
 himself.

00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.279
 So what the

00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.019
 Bible says is

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.039
 there are times

00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.559
 to make

00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.420
 determinations,

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.059
 to make

00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.880
 evaluations,

00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.039
 to discern

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.960
 truth and error

00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.980
 right from wrong.

00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.799
 it is right

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.799
 to do that.

00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.700
 But the only

00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.319
 way that we

00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.059
 are able to

00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:22.599
 do that

00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.440
 before God

00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.000
 properly

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.940
 is with the

00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.339
 kind of

00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:25.880
 humility

00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:27.900
 that James

00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.319
 has talked

00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.120
 about in the

00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:30.180
 previous passage

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.720
 and the kind

00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:32.319
 of humility

00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:33.000
 that Paul

00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.940
 addresses here.

00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.019
 I am not

00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:35.839
 better than you.

00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.819
 I know that

00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:37.539
 I too am

00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.380
 prone to sin.

00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.319
 I know

00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.200
 that I am

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.019
 not beyond

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.779
 failing.

00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:43.639
 I know that

00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.359
 I don't have

00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:45.200
 all wisdom

00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:45.900
 and knowledge

00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.019
 and yet I

00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.599
 bring this

00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:48.119
 to you,

00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:48.460
 brother,

00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:48.960
 sister,

00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:52.279
 with gentleness

00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.079
 and with

00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:53.619
 tears

00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:55.160
 and humility.

00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.279
 That's the

00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:57.700
 kind of

00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.099
 judgment

00:17:58.099 --> 00:18:00.220
 that God

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.180
 does expect

00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:01.619
 us to

00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.839
 exercise

00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:04.599
 more broadly.

00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.400
 And so

00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:08.059
 Doug Moo

00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.460
 in his

00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:08.839
 commentary

00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:09.220
 says,

00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:10.000
 James is not

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.819
 prohibiting the

00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.419
 proper and

00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:11.819
 necessary

00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.439
 discrimination

00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:13.619
 that every

00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:14.099
 Christian

00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:14.359
 should

00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:15.079
 exercise.

00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.399
 James rebukes

00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:17.079
 jealous,

00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.359
 censorious,

00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.119
 again there's

00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.619
 that word,

00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.259
 critical speech

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.240
 by which we

00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.240
 condemn others

00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.299
 as being wrong

00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:25.000
 in the sight

00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.599
 of God.

00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:27.939
 And friends,

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.460
 this leads us

00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.079
 to the second

00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:30.500
 reason why

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.179
 judgment is

00:18:31.179 --> 00:18:31.639
 wrong.

00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:32.720
 It is because

00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.639
 judgment of

00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.819
 others usurps

00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.919
 God's right

00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:36.919
 role as the

00:18:36.919 --> 00:18:37.819
 judge of all.

00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:39.539
 The end of

00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.139
 verse 12,

00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.659
 he says,

00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.519
 who are you

00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.019
 to judge

00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.500
 your neighbor?

00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.559
 And the

00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.099
 answer is,

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.679
 you are

00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:45.179
 nobody.

00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.220
 Because,

00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.779
 go back to

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.139
 the beginning

00:18:49.139 --> 00:18:49.519
 of the

00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:49.819
 verse,

00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.059
 because there

00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.819
 is one

00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.839
 God,

00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.240
 one

00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.159
 judge,

00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.000
 one

00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.259
 lawgiver,

00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:59.179
 and it

00:18:59.179 --> 00:18:59.639
 is not

00:18:59.639 --> 00:19:00.019
 you.

00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.039
 You were

00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.740
 not tasked

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.359
 with being

00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:03.839
 the judge

00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:04.119
 of the

00:19:04.119 --> 00:19:04.460
 world.

00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.419
 You were

00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:06.220
 not tasked

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:06.819
 with making

00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.539
 all things

00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:07.859
 right

00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.419
 everywhere.

00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.639
 It is

00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.079
 not your

00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:11.000
 job to

00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.639
 redeem and

00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:12.159
 fix the

00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:12.659
 world.

00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.159
 There is a

00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:18.740
 God in

00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.079
 heaven.

00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.599
 But we

00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:23.419
 love judgment.

00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:24.220
 Do you know

00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.559
 why?

00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.379
 It's because

00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:25.819
 it's at the

00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.579
 very root of

00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:26.980
 our sin

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.359
 nature.

00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.259
 Go back

00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.579
 to the

00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.019
 Garden of

00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.359
 Eden.

00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:30.079
 Do you

00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.839
 remember what

00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.399
 the serpent

00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:32.319
 brought to

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.899
 Adam and

00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:33.399
 Eve?

00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:34.660
 doubting

00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:35.200
 God.

00:19:35.320 --> 00:19:35.880
 Did God

00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.940
 really say?

00:19:37.780 --> 00:19:38.160
 And then

00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.140
 denying God's

00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:39.680
 truthfulness.

00:19:40.300 --> 00:19:40.680
 You will

00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.500
 not surely

00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.060
 die.

00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:43.500
 And then

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.080
 baiting him.

00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.600
 In fact,

00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.500
 you can be

00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.460
 like God.

00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.240
 You can

00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.100
 take God's

00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:48.600
 place of

00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:49.040
 determining

00:19:49.040 --> 00:19:49.680
 what's right

00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.100
 and wrong

00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:50.320
 in the

00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:50.500
 world.

00:19:50.800 --> 00:19:51.320
 You can

00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:52.060
 take God's

00:19:52.060 --> 00:19:52.519
 place to

00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:52.840
 be the

00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.280
 judge of

00:19:53.280 --> 00:19:53.920
 your own

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.500
 goodness

00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:54.820
 and

00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.300
 happiness.

00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:02.720
 James

00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.080
 says,

00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.500
 there is

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.419
 only one

00:20:04.419 --> 00:20:05.039
 lawgiver

00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.039
 and one

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:07.319
 judge.

00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.179
 And it

00:20:08.179 --> 00:20:08.679
 is not

00:20:08.679 --> 00:20:09.059
 us.

00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:09.939
 It is

00:20:09.939 --> 00:20:10.399
 the God

00:20:10.399 --> 00:20:11.159
 who created

00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:12.960
 the heavens

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.359
 and the

00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:13.679
 earth.

00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.439
 And the

00:20:15.439 --> 00:20:17.659
 root of

00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.519
 our self-centered,

00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.399
 self-important

00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.019
 passions,

00:20:20.879 --> 00:20:21.639
 the root of

00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.579
 our sitting

00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.579
 above God's

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.539
 law or

00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.279
 sitting above

00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.980
 our brothers

00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.639
 and sisters

00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:27.419
 and judging

00:20:27.419 --> 00:20:27.819
 them and

00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.259
 putting them

00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.519
 in their

00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.799
 place is

00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.359
 ultimately

00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:31.179
 a rejection

00:20:31.179 --> 00:20:31.759
 of God

00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.299
 himself.

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:34.359
 God who

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:34.720
 is the

00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.539
 only one

00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.379
 who by

00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:37.059
 his nature

00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.599
 is the

00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.099
 lawgiver

00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.759
 because he

00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.079
 is the

00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.440
 one who

00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:39.940
 embodies

00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.859
 all that

00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.480
 is perfectly

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.059
 right and

00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:42.379
 good in

00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:42.940
 the world.

00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:44.980
 He is

00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.539
 the only

00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.299
 judge for

00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.399
 as creator

00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:48.379
 all of

00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:49.039
 his creation

00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.720
 is accountable

00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.419
 to him.

00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:53.399
 He knows

00:20:53.399 --> 00:20:54.500
 all things.

00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:55.480
 He has

00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.399
 created all

00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:56.980
 things and

00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.579
 given all

00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.460
 things life.

00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:58.539
 life.

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.480
 And the

00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:00.779
 Bible

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.420
 affirms

00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:01.920
 over and

00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.559
 over again

00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.420
 that he

00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.200
 is altogether

00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.120
 right in

00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.840
 all of his

00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.620
 evaluations.

00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:08.940
 James goes

00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:09.240
 on and

00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:09.860
 says he

00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.500
 alone has

00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.039
 the power

00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.960
 to save

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.559
 and to

00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.059
 destroy.

00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.400
 We

00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:17.960
 recognize

00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.500
 that as

00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.539
 our creator

00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.900
 God holds

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.559
 our life

00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.019
 in his

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.440
 hands.

00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.539
 He holds

00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.539
 right and

00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.120
 wrong in

00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:26.880
 his hands.

00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:28.020
 he holds

00:21:28.020 --> 00:21:28.240
 the

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.880
 eternity

00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:30.080
 our

00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:30.500
 eternity

00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.220
 in his

00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:31.900
 hands.

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.620
 And he

00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.020
 is able

00:21:34.020 --> 00:21:34.600
 to both

00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.780
 save and

00:21:35.780 --> 00:21:36.400
 destroy.

00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.020
 And when

00:21:38.020 --> 00:21:39.100
 we take

00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:39.560
 up that

00:21:39.560 --> 00:21:40.020
 place,

00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.960
 when we

00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:42.240
 sit in

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.620
 the seat

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.180
 of judgment,

00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:44.900
 we are

00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.580
 usurping

00:21:45.580 --> 00:21:46.320
 God.

00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.420
 Friends,

00:21:48.540 --> 00:21:49.100
 this is a

00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:49.480
 frightening

00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.240
 place to

00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.480
 be.

00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.420
 Listen to

00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:51.980
 the words

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.740
 the writer

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.340
 of Hebrews.

00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.220
 A warning

00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.900
 to us.

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.380
 He says,

00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:56.800
 for if we

00:21:56.800 --> 00:21:57.280
 go on

00:21:57.280 --> 00:21:57.620
 sinning

00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.040
 deliberately

00:21:58.040 --> 00:21:58.980
 after receiving

00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.520
 the knowledge

00:21:59.520 --> 00:21:59.820
 of the

00:21:59.820 --> 00:22:00.120
 truth,

00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:00.980
 there no

00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.780
 longer remains

00:22:01.780 --> 00:22:02.360
 a sacrifice

00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:03.120
 for sins,

00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.460
 but a

00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.780
 fearful

00:22:03.780 --> 00:22:04.540
 expectation

00:22:04.540 --> 00:22:05.240
 of judgment

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.140
 and a

00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:07.320
 fury of

00:22:07.320 --> 00:22:07.860
 fire that

00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.520
 will consume

00:22:08.520 --> 00:22:08.760
 the

00:22:08.760 --> 00:22:09.660
 adversaries.

00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.960
 Anyone who

00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.360
 has set

00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:11.940
 aside the

00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.320
 law of

00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:13.120
 Moses dies

00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:13.460
 without

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.660
 mercy on

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.180
 the evidence

00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.700
 of two or

00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.380
 three witnesses.

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.600
 How much

00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:18.280
 worse do you

00:22:18.280 --> 00:22:18.840
 think will be

00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:19.440
 deserved for

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.020
 the one who

00:22:20.020 --> 00:22:20.580
 has trampled

00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:21.300
 underfoot the

00:22:21.300 --> 00:22:22.000
 Son of God

00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.560
 and has

00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:23.240
 profaned the

00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.740
 blood of the

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.380
 covenant by

00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:24.940
 which he was

00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.020
 sanctified and

00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.799
 has outraged

00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.339
 the spirit

00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.039
 of grace.

00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.839
 For we

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.639
 know him,

00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.400
 that is God,

00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.099
 who said,

00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.180
 vengeance is

00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.839
 mine, I

00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.359
 will repay.

00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:35.940
 And again,

00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.779
 the Lord will

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.259
 judge his

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:37.639
 people.

00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.539
 It is a

00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.299
 fearful thing

00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.079
 to fall into

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.779
 the hands of

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.599
 a living God.

00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:42.639
 God.

00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.339
 And friends,

00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:45.839
 it is to

00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.539
 our peril

00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.980
 when we

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.799
 choose to

00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.259
 try to

00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.419
 usurp that

00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.259
 God's role

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.359
 and to be

00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:53.919
 the judge,

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.459
 jury, and

00:22:54.459 --> 00:22:55.339
 executioner

00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:56.379
 ourselves.

00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.299
 And this

00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.819
 raises a

00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.519
 second question

00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.299
 for us that

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:04.779
 is a very

00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.500
 pertinent one

00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:05.939
 today.

00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.399
 God doesn't

00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:09.899
 seem to be

00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.319
 getting it

00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.700
 right.

00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.939
 What about

00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:13.679
 the injustice

00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.480
 of the world?

00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.359
 What about

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.319
 the wrongs?

00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:16.859
 What about

00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.339
 the wrongs

00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:17.899
 that I have

00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.240
 suffered?

00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:18.779
 What about

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.359
 the wrongs

00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:19.559
 that have

00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:20.039
 happened in

00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.579
 our history?

00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.399
 What about

00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.200
 the wrongs?

00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.220
 It looks

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.019
 like evil

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.779
 is winning

00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.779
 sometimes.

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.319
 We're afraid

00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.980
 that evil

00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.740
 will triumph

00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:28.980
 triumph.

00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.759
 And that

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.160
 God's

00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:32.559
 judgment

00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.079
 is not

00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.779
 sufficient.

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.599
 And he

00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:36.980
 does not

00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.759
 execute his

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.420
 judgment in

00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.200
 our timing

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:40.940
 quickly enough.

00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:44.940
 There's a

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.359
 whole other

00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:45.960
 sermon to be

00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:47.059
 preached in

00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.660
 response to

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.259
 this question,

00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.500
 but I want to

00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.120
 give just two

00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.500
 thoughts.

00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:51.980
 First,

00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.779
 there is a

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.460
 right place

00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.680
 for speaking

00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.299
 the truth in

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.680
 love.

00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.480
 There is a

00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.019
 right place

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.799
 for resisting

00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.359
 evil.

00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.279
 There is a

00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.919
 right place

00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:00.699
 for confronting

00:24:00.699 --> 00:24:02.299
 sin, both

00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.379
 individually in

00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:04.240
 relationships with

00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:05.839
 others, and

00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:07.099
 societally and

00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.519
 globally.

00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:09.019
 It is right to

00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.939
 call sin,

00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:10.339
 sin.

00:24:10.459 --> 00:24:12.279
 It is right to

00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.019
 point out what

00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.839
 was wrong.

00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.299
 This command

00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.319
 that to not

00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:19.839
 usurp God's

00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.299
 role as a

00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:20.779
 judgment does

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.419
 not mean that

00:24:21.419 --> 00:24:22.219
 we cannot work

00:24:22.219 --> 00:24:22.719
 for a better

00:24:22.719 --> 00:24:23.419
 society.

00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:24.659
 It does not

00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:25.139
 mean that we

00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:26.259
 cannot look

00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.439
 to and call

00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:28.079
 our society

00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.740
 to a higher

00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.279
 standard.

00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.899
 But in the

00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:34.679
 end, we must

00:24:34.679 --> 00:24:35.879
 recognize that

00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.659
 we will never

00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.419
 create the

00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:38.319
 perfect society.

00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.339
 Our ability

00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.220
 to judge

00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.799
 and our

00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.379
 ability to

00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:44.019
 redeem

00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:47.480
 are similarly

00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.359
 weakened by

00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.220
 our creatureliness

00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.179
 and by our

00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:50.659
 sinfulness.

00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.339
 We are not

00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.199
 the ones to

00:24:53.199 --> 00:24:53.679
 make things

00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:54.240
 right in the

00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.559
 world.

00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:56.059
 ultimately,

00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.599
 God is.

00:24:58.659 --> 00:24:59.759
 We will all

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.480
 stand before

00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.119
 his judgment

00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.879
 one day.

00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:03.480
 We will all

00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.500
 appear before

00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.000
 the judgment

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.799
 seat of Christ,

00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:06.460
 says 2

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.500
 Corinthians 5.

00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:13.099
 So is God

00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:14.679
 not doing it

00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:14.980
 right?

00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:16.559
 Well, friends,

00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.639
 the Bible

00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.779
 assures us that

00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.700
 God will judge

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.559
 every sin.

00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:23.179
 He has

00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:23.799
 promised to

00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.879
 eradicate all

00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.799
 unrighteousness.

00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:26.559
 He has

00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.200
 promised a

00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:27.700
 kingdom that

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.339
 is coming that

00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.079
 will be perfectly

00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:29.839
 just and

00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.839
 beautifully right.

00:25:31.179 --> 00:25:31.839
 The arrogant,

00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.339
 the wrongdoer,

00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.220
 the proud,

00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.259
 the violent,

00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.379
 and the bigoted,

00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.619
 they will all be

00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.419
 judged and they

00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:39.359
 will receive

00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:41.500
 their reward.

00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.619
 When we feel

00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:45.359
 like the

00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.079
 unjust are

00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.399
 winning,

00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.859
 there is great

00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.359
 comfort.

00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.699
 And throughout

00:25:49.699 --> 00:25:50.259
 history,

00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:51.079
 the church has

00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.659
 found great

00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.859
 comfort in

00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.559
 knowing that

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.419
 even if God

00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:55.179
 does not punish

00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:55.919
 them today,

00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:57.299
 there will not

00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.199
 be one who

00:25:58.199 --> 00:25:59.199
 will get away

00:25:59.199 --> 00:26:00.139
 with what

00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:00.919
 they are doing.

00:26:03.199 --> 00:26:04.119
 You see,

00:26:04.199 --> 00:26:04.719
 the gospel

00:26:04.719 --> 00:26:05.379
 tells us

00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.099
 something much

00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:06.839
 more wonderful.

00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:09.139
 God is so

00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:09.919
 committed to

00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:10.579
 justice,

00:26:10.979 --> 00:26:11.819
 so committed

00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.639
 to righteousness,

00:26:13.219 --> 00:26:13.899
 so committed

00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:15.819
 to punishing

00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.479
 evil,

00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:20.019
 that he

00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.539
 sent his

00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.279
 very own

00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.980
 son to

00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.680
 die on

00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.299
 the cross

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.839
 so that he

00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.640
 may redeem

00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:26.259
 sinners.

00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.640
 You see,

00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:27.980
 friends,

00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:28.579
 if we were

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.019
 honest,

00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.480
 we would

00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.279
 recognize that

00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.799
 as much as

00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.640
 we want to

00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.440
 judge others,

00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.240
 we are

00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.180
 terrified of

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.759
 God judging

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.200
 us.

00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.759
 If we are

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.460
 humble enough

00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.120
 to know our

00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:38.759
 own sin,

00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.839
 then we are

00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.660
 terrified that

00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.180
 God is a

00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:41.559
 judge.

00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:41.599
 judge.

00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.259
 And only

00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.019
 the proud

00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.299
 would think,

00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.460
 I have the

00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:47.859
 right to

00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.339
 judge others

00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:48.839
 because I

00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.299
 can stand

00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.879
 before God

00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.159
 as a

00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:50.440
 righteous

00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:50.980
 man.

00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.639
 The gospel

00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:55.960
 says,

00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.359
 no,

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:58.079
 we are all

00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.519
 sinners,

00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.259
 and because

00:26:59.259 --> 00:26:59.559
 of that,

00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.240
 we are all

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.000
 under God's

00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.399
 judgment.

00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.500
 And God

00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.000
 takes that

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.779
 so seriously

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.139
 that he

00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:04.559
 will not

00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:04.879
 give us

00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.419
 a pass

00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:06.179
 because we're

00:27:06.179 --> 00:27:06.399
 a little

00:27:06.399 --> 00:27:06.940
 better than

00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.619
 someone else.

00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.200
 He won't

00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.639
 give us a

00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.240
 pass because

00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.619
 we've been

00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.440
 doing good

00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.019
 church things

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.580
 for a long

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:11.960
 time.

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.640
 He doesn't

00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.120
 give us a

00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:14.180
 pass simply

00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:14.700
 by our

00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:14.960
 own

00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.380
 righteousness.

00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:15.799
 It will

00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.500
 never be

00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.059
 enough to

00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:18.620
 satisfy his

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.160
 righteous

00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:19.820
 standards.

00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.740
 For God

00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.320
 to be the

00:27:22.320 --> 00:27:22.759
 judge of

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.259
 the world

00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.940
 and the

00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.840
 justifier of

00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:25.640
 the ungodly

00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.120
 like you

00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:26.559
 and me,

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.340
 there was

00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:27.980
 only one

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.360
 way he

00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:28.740
 could do

00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:28.960
 it.

00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.380
 He sent

00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.000
 his son,

00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:31.700
 Jesus

00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.259
 Christ,

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.279
 the perfect

00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.059
 man who

00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.880
 deserved no

00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.340
 judgment.

00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.539
 And he,

00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:39.900
 the just,

00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.539
 went to

00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.220
 the cross

00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.779
 to bear

00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.779
 the punishment

00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.299
 for the

00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:45.860
 unjust,

00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.320
 which is

00:27:46.320 --> 00:27:46.900
 you and

00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.200
 me,

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.000
 that he

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.700
 might bring

00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.259
 us to

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.700
 God.

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.100
 And friends,

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.740
 this is the

00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.259
 good news

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.580
 of the

00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:54.960
 gospel.

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.120
 This is the

00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:57.039
 great news

00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.820
 about judgment

00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.320
 is that

00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.140
 judgment is

00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.779
 real and it

00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.559
 will happen,

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.620
 but God

00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.259
 has created

00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.940
 a place

00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:04.340
 of safety.

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:04.740
 He has

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.440
 created an

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.440
 ark by

00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:06.900
 which we

00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.640
 might ride

00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.059
 through the

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.640
 storm of

00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:08.960
 God's

00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.299
 judgment

00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.359
 judgment

00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.539
 when all

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.220
 evil will

00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.859
 be judged.

00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.200
 And that

00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:14.919
 is in

00:28:14.919 --> 00:28:15.779
 faith in

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.099
 Jesus

00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.639
 Christ,

00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.339
 our only

00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:18.819
 Savior,

00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:20.180
 the only

00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.659
 righteous

00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:21.099
 one,

00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.159
 the only

00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:23.139
 one who

00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:23.539
 has the

00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.200
 power to

00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.619
 judge.

00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:29.859
 Friends,

00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.319
 it is on

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.079
 this basis

00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.859
 that James

00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:33.619
 calls us

00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.759
 to forsake

00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.299
 our sin

00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.779
 of judging

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.379
 others,

00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.579
 forsake our

00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:37.960
 proud,

00:28:38.139 --> 00:28:39.220
 self-justifying,

00:28:39.939 --> 00:28:40.639
 forsake our

00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:41.720
 trust in

00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.359
 our own

00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.079
 discernment

00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:43.480
 and our

00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.879
 own

00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.460
 righteousness,

00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.500
 forsake our

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.159
 judgmental

00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:47.859
 spirit and

00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.639
 our condemning

00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.960
 words and

00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.599
 our shunning

00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:51.439
 actions.

00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.960
 To forsake

00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.579
 all of these

00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.019
 things and

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.740
 the humility

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.279
 come to

00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.500
 the cross,

00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.619
 come to

00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.179
 the place

00:28:59.179 --> 00:28:59.919
 where justice

00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:00.799
 and mercy

00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.480
 meet,

00:29:01.699 --> 00:29:02.439
 come and

00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:02.939
 know the

00:29:02.939 --> 00:29:03.599
 grace of

00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.000
 God.

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.059
 God.

00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.359
 And in

00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:07.940
 doing so,

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.539
 let God

00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:08.920
 be the

00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.519
 judge of

00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.140
 all things.

00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:11.779
 Let's

00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.039
 pray.

00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.519
 Lord, we

00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:13.980
 are thankful

00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.559
 for you

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.859
 this morning.

00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:16.960
 Lord, we

00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.480
 are thankful

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.440
 that even

00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.059
 though we

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.500
 deserve

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:19.980
 judgment,

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:20.920
 you have

00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.420
 made a

00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:21.799
 way for

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.920
 us in

00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.359
 Christ.

00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.839
 Lord, may

00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.339
 we not

00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.359
 trample on

00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.940
 the greatness

00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.559
 of that

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:30.200
 salvation by

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.779
 becoming

00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.700
 judgmental

00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.339
 people who

00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.000
 look down

00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.859
 and disparage

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.339
 others.

00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.319
 But Lord,

00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.259
 help us with

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.440
 humility to

00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.059
 walk before

00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.400
 you.

00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.279
 And Lord,

00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:44.180
 help us to

00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.759
 be those who

00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.319
 walk in a

00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:45.759
 path of

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.559
 wisdom for

00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.019
 righteousness

00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.559
 sake.

00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.119
 We pray

00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:49.559
 this in

00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:49.799
 Jesus'

00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.220
 name.

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.299
 Amen.