What does a spirit-filled Christian do about judgement, when it appears there are conflicting directives? The answer to this dilemma is written within the text – We Have the Mind of Christ. When we have the mind of Christ – we don’t hae to worry about judgement, we don’t have to worry about being judged. When we begin to grow and mature, we begin to understand what this seeming paradox means.
We wear the bracelet, the t-shirt, and say we live by the message – What Would Jesus Do? When in doubt about anything – the question is safe to ask – What Would Jesus Do? The scripture declares that books could not contain all of the works Jesus did on earth, but in the sixty-six books that we have – God makes it clear for “all things that pertain to life and godliness” – exactly what Jesus WOULD do!
Just as the time Jesus ran the money-changers out of the temple, there is a time for righteous judgement. Many times we are tested on that issue – compromising the word of God for the sake of peace is not the will of God for His children – (“If we deny Him befoe men”); however, there are times when standing up for a cause can cause us to be put in definite difficulty ( remember the Apostle Paul?)
What comes to mind is Daniel 1:7
“Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.” (KJV)
Daniel and his brethren knew that they have made a covenant with the God of Israel and it was not befitting to eat the strange food of Babylon, nor partake of their strange ways. They knew they were in captivity – they knew the power of their rulers – they knew they were outnumbered, yet:
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8 (KJV)
By choosing righteous judgement, Daniel and his brethren chose God’s way – and God gave them favor to be able to live that out. The end of that test was:
“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” Daniel 1:17 (KJV)
What God did for these Hebrew boys, He will also do for us. When we choose to live by His laws and dictates and recognize that even if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck – unless it lines up with God’s description of a duck – it’s not a duck! God’s people are being lured into a false sense of truth, because we want to validate the messenger, not their message! If we stand for God’s truth, no matter who is in charge, than what happened to Daniel will happen to us – not only was he given favor in the king’s house, but he was also given “knowledge and skill in all things”, and “Daniel had an understanding in all visions and dreams.”
We will then be able to judge – we will then be put in a place where we are not judged by the dictates of man – because signs and wonder declare that we will have the mind of Christ!
There is help and there is hope in God – look to Him to lead, to guide you; listen to His Word, in His voice – love God’s people, forgive always, never, never, never give up – for ini all things We Do What Jesus Does – after all, We Have the Mind of Christ!
God Bless You,
Maria