This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:1-13; Matthew 7:1-5.

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. In Greek, there are three words for love. Eros refers to sexual love. Philio refers to friendly attachment. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. In the New Testament, the word Love appears about 200 times, and it is almost always ‘agape’ love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for human beings. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). This is the Gospel: God the Father sent God the Son to become a Man and die on behalf of sinners. The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. This love saves and restores humanity in the face of sin and death. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! To know the measure of Love you must know how much Love gives. Just think of this Love: God the Father gave us His only begotten Son, to save us! God the Son gave up His Live, His Blood, to pay for our sins! There is no greater Love than that!!! Our Lord says: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent” (Rev 3:19).

MATTERS OF LOVING INDIFFERENCE (Romans 14:1-13)

The Book of Romans is a masterpiece. It is considered the best Book in the Bible and the greatest piece of literature in the world. It is written by the great Apostle Paul. Many great men of God became born again by studying this Book. It contains the major doctrines of the Gospel. In the first 11 chapters, the Apostle writes about the doctrines of salvation. From chapter 12 to the end, he writes the application of these doctrines. The first two verses in chapter 12 are the basic scriptures on the application of doctrine. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:1,2).  We see that the Christian life is a life of sacrifice for the sake of Christ, to give glory to God! By faith in God’s Word, our minds are renewed and transformed. From starting as ‘babies’ in Christ, we become strong in the faith. Becoming spiritually mature is the aim for every believer. Agape Love is the engine of this transformation. The New Law of Love takes over obedience of the Law as found in the Old Testament.

In chapters 14 and 15 we find the practical application of the Gospel especially in the relationships between believers. Theologians call these principles ‘matters of indifference’ or ‘grey areas’. These are important teachings, but they are not essential to our salvation. They apply to the type of food Christians eat, the mode of dressing, the type of entertainment, the types of baptism, the type of prophecies, the importance of days and how we celebrate our faith. The major doctrines of the Bible cannot be argued about.  As Christians, we all must agree on the major doctrines in the Bible, but we can lovingly disagree on these matters of indifference. If something is forbidden, it is sin. There is no need to discuss it. For example, the Bible says that adultery is sin. We cannot debate that. We now study things that are not clearly forbidden in God’s Word and our attitude to them. Over the years these things have bought much confusion, pain, and division in the Body. The church is made of many believers; some are spiritually strong, and others are spiritually weak in the faith. The first lesson we must learn is that the Body is One!!! The strong ones are commanded not to despise. Not to look down on the weak ones. The weak are commanded not to judge the spiritually strong. Lesson: Matters of indifference should never become central doctrines. Any form of division and segregation based on your Bible knowledge is wrong. We study these teachings so that we behave better, we love without quarreling or causing division in the Body. Selah!

JESUS CHRIST IS JUDGE OF ALL

“For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Rom 14:9-13). Because Jesus died and rose again, He became the Lord of the living and the dead. He is the Savior of only the believers, but He is the Lord of all, of the believers and the unbelievers. Those who love Him and go to heaven and those who hate Him and go to hell, all must bow before Jesus. Bowing before somebody means to publicly acknowledge that person’s authority over you. We bow to kings and queens on earth, but the greatest bowing is reserved for Jesus alone, the Lord, the Judge, and the King of kings.

In the Old Testament, God the Father is proclaimed as the Judge of all men. “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked” (Ecc 3:17). Abraham calls Jehovah God ‘the Judge of all the earth’ (Gen18:25). In the New Testament, we see that The Lord Jesus Christ becomes the Judge of all because God the Father gave Him that authority. He said: “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (Jn 5:22, 23). Love delegates authority. Because God the Father loves God the Son, He has given His Son the authority to judge all men. As the Judge of all, men must submit to the authority of Jesus and honor Him. The Father rejects anyone who worships Him directly, without honoring His only begotten Son. Apostle Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah. This scripture applies to God the Father. But Paul quotes it as applying to God the Son. This is another proof that Jesus Christ is God. “I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath” (Is 45:23).

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27). In the Bible, God’s judgment is revealed in three forms:

1-In this life, God judges the believers so that they repent and walk in a holy way. This form of judgment manifests as trials, sickness, or untimely death (the meaning of the word ‘sleep’). “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world” (1Cor 11:28-32). Not every sickness is a chastisement from God, but some are. “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:5, 6). The danger during trials is forgetting that God’s love can manifests as chastisement, to despise His love coming to you in this way, and to become discouraged. Lesson: during trials, repent and go back to God!

2-After death, believers will be judged for their works at the Bema Seat of Christ (2Cor 5:9-11). All true believers will surely go to heaven. They cannot lose their salvation, but they can lose rewards. “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Rev 14:13). Our works for Jesus, good or bad, will follow us to heaven. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (Jam 3:1). All people in authority, Parents, Bible teachers and preachers, shall receive a stricter judgment on how they used that position of authority and influence.

3-After death is final judgment for all unbelievers who will be sent to the lake of fire. This is the second and eternal death (Rev 20:11-15).

THE JUDGMENT OF BEMA SEAT OF CHRIST

“Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth] or away from home [and with Him], it is our [constant] ambition to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities, and abilities]. 11 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him]. But we are plainly known to God [He knows everything about us]; and I hope that we are plainly known also in your consciences [your God-given discernment]” (2 Cor 5:9-11; AMP)

A Christian’s main desire is to live, work, and die in a way that is pleasing to God. In Greek, the words translated ‘the judgment seat’ of Christ are ‘Bema’ seat of Christ. This picture is taken from the Roman Olympic games. At the end of the games, the athletes come before Ceasar and receive their victor’s crowns (or medals). It is a moment of joyful celebration. They receive gold, silver, or bronze medals. Others, receive only a handshake. They have finished the race but there is no crown for them.   

All believers must appear before the Tribunal Bema seat of Christ. They are not judged about their eternal destinies if they go to heaven or to hell. That judgment was done already when they became born again. For the Christians, judgment for sins was placed on Christ, when He died on the Cross on their behalf. By faith, the Christian has passed from death to eternal life. Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (Jn 5:24). Loving the brethren and not judging them is a sign that you are saved. “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1Jn 3:14). When Christ died our sins were forgiven and wiped away by God. “He will again have compassion on us and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions8 from us” (Ps 103:12). “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom 8:1). The word ‘condemnation’ also means judgment or punishment. We are therefore free from eternal judgment! Amen!

The judgment here is about our works done on earth from the time we became saved and the rewards concerning these works. The word ‘appear’ means that all believers must be present in person before Christ, the Judge on His seat. It is a public trial. Nothing is hidden. Even the motives of our actions shall be displayed like on a screen, and all will see it. The judgment concerns the actions the believer did while he was ‘in the body’. None shall be judged for actions done after death. Christ will judge our works done after we became saved, and not when we were in sin. He will judge how we have used the gifts and opportunities He entrusted to us. He will judge and reward each believer accordingly.  This is not a probation. There will be no arguments. It is a final judgment concerning eternal rewards. The Bible reveals that in heaven are different levels of authority and reward among the worshippers. The rewards reveal how close the worshipers are to the throne were Jesus sits. Around the throne of Jesus, there are 24 elders who also sit on smaller thrones. They are dressed in white robes and have crowns of gold on their heads. They worship The Lamb upon the throne by bowing on the glassy floor, casting their crowns before Him (Rev 4:4,10). In the distance, there are many other worshippers in heaven, who are also dressed in white robes but do not sit on thrones, and they do not have crowns. They worship Jesus with palm branches in their hands (Rev 7:9, 10).

As King Solomon judged the two prostitutes using the sword, so Christ will judge all believers by using God’s Word. “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. 13 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” (Heb 4:12, 13). The resurrected Christ has a sword in His mouth, a symbol for the Word of God. John said: “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength” (Rev1:12-15). God’s Word is the only instrument that can separate flesh and spirit and expose everything. Judgment will be done on how we honored and obeyed God’s Word.

The judgment of works at the Bema seat of Christ will be done with fire. The eyes of the resurrected Christ are like fire. Apostle Paul said: “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Cor 3:10-15). The believers who pay the price for spiritual maturity, are the ones building with gold, silver, and precious stones. These materials resist the fire. They shall have great reward. Gold stands for God. Silver stands for redemption. Precious stones represent the living stones that build the church. In other words, the highest reward goes to those we worship God in spirit and in truth and save souls for Jesus. Love rewards the Lovers of Jesus. But the believers who remain babies in the faith, their works are compared with wood, hay, and straw. These are selfish works done for money or personal fame. These are combustible materials. They will be burnt. These believers are barely saved and shall receive no reward. They will worship Jesus in heaven but from a distance. Selah!

Lesson: The destiny of each man is decided on earth. At the point of death nothing can be changed. As Judge of all, Christ rewards His friends and punishes His enemies. God’s children will love the judgment and God’s enemies will hate it, but none can escape it. We see that some believers shall be disappointed in themselves. To avoid this eternal shame, we must be responsible Christians and pay the price for Love. We do it for Christ’ sake and for the sake of our eternal joy being rewarded by the Judge of all. “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1Jn4:17,18). This is God’s eternal unchanging law: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal 6:7). God here is Christ the Judge. Knowing how terrible the judgment towards the unbelievers is, we should fear God, not as slaves but as His children. We should remember that all good things we do now, must be for the glory of God and for the good of the Church, the Body of Christ. Thru words and works, a Christian’s life should be devoted to Christ and serve Him in love.  

The Lord Jesus said that the Christians will be judged for the way they do ministry. This warning is given especially to the church leaders and pastors. Jesus commands us to feed the sheep. In other words, the pastors must prepare and preach God’s Word. This is spiritual food to the people. To be careless in this area, is a serious matter. “And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Lk 12:42-48). To be a faithful Christian worker is the foundation for eternal joy. Paul commands Timothy: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2Tim 4:1,2). Preaching God’s Word is a great privilege and responsibility. God judges preachers in a special way. “Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have accomplished together, but that you may receive a full and perfect reward [when He grants rewards to faithful believers]” (2Jn 1:8; AMP). God’s warning is a sign of Love! Selah!

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE OF GOD

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:11-15). This is the last judgment. All the unbelievers shall be judged by God the Son who is seated on a white throne. God has many books. He records all men’s secrets. The books shall be opened. Men will be judged for their deeds and words spoken on earth. “But I (Jesus) say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matt 12:36). The judge cannot be manipulated of bribed. “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops” (Lk 12:2, 3). Even if you have forgotten the words you spoke, God remembers everything! Anyone whose name was not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life, will be cast into the lake of fire, where Death and Hades (Hell) are cast too. This is the second eternal death.

The throne is great and white. Great speaks of power and white speaks of purity. Jesus Christ seats upon that throne. He is the Judge. Jesus is both the Savior and the Judge. He is the Lamb and the Lion. He is fearful. Even earth and heaven flee from Him. Before that throne, there is no begging. If you want mercy, you give your life to Christ now and He will give you mercy. Look at the people who will be judged there. They are very many. They are ‘small and great’; it means ordinary and famous, poor, and rich. The sea, Death and Hades gave up their dead. When a sinner dies, his body goes to the grave. Death claims it. His soul goes to Hades (Hell) where he waits in torment until this last judgment. The sinner cannot be judged immediately. Because his sins have affected generations even after his death. Some died long ago, and others died recently. Some were the good religious people and others were the criminals. They were all judged according to their works done on earth. There was no difference among them. This is a public judgment also. Nobody can hide from God. “In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel” (Rom 2:16). The people in front of that throne are the clear sinners, the religious churchgoers who are still unbelievers, and the procrastinators. Church is wonderful. But Church is not the way to heaven. Faith in Christ is! God’s judgment is always just. No man can complain that God did not judge him right. Heaven rejoices when God judges and punishes the wicked. God’s judgments lead to greater worship of God in heaven (Rev 19:1-6). I pray for you! I hope that you do not have to stand before this throne! Give your life to Christ now! Tomorrow is not promised to anyone!

JUDGE NOT!

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt 7:1-5).

Many Christians live careless lives. They take salvation for granted. Many pastors do not preach about God’s judgment and hell for fear that they will be criticized and will lose people from their congregations. But Biblical truth must be thought no matter the consequences. 

This command is part of the Sermon of the Mount and it given by the Lord to the believers, and not to the unbelievers. What does it mean not to judge others? The Lord does not say that we should never have an opinion about any Christian. The main reason for this command it to be careful not to be entangled with the religious spirit of hypocrisy, which characterized the Pharisees in the time of Jesus. This proud evil spirit is a troublemaker and faultfinder. He loves to argue and to criticize others, especially concerning matters of indifference. He despises and judges the brethren in the church. It causes much harm among the believers, destroys relationships, and splits churches.

The reason why we are commanded not to judge others, is because we fear God and we are aware of God’s judgment, both in the present and in the future. Another reason is because by judging, we set the standard for God to judge us. There is a saying: ‘you will be paid back with the same coin’. If you speak wicked words to others, God will allow others to speak wicked words to you. Your mouth sets the standard for your own judgment. A judge must be fair and impartial. If a judge is too close to the accused, he is disqualified from being the judge. Often, we hate others, and we judge them. We fail to differentiate between the person and his actions. We are supposed to judge based on Biblical principles and not to attack the person directly. A true Christian should judge another’s actions and not slander him, destroying his character or his testimony. We are supposed to help others and not bring them down. But often we are hypocrites. We point sins in others, and we are blind to the same sins in our lives. ‘To speak the truth in love’ (Eph 4:15) is a very difficult ministry. To chastise another believer so that he can see the truth and repent, is as delicate as eye or brain surgery. Words spoken in anger can damage his spirit for life. But rebuke done in love, fearing God, applying the bandage of mercy on the wound, brings great rewards.

LESSONS FOR US:

*Examine yourself! Be sure that you are born again! Humble yourself! The Holy Spirit, by God’s Word, prepares us for the final judgment.

*Life is a journey and a testing ground. The Christians are the only people who walk in the consciousness of their eternal destiny!

*All men will be judged by Jesus. Prepare for the judgment!  

*Let us pay the price for spiritual maturity. Let us study the Bible, fast, pray, help the needy, and serve God in the local church.

*It does not matter what other men think of us or what we think about others. What matters is what Christ thinks of us! Selah!

*Church discipline is not ruled out. The Word of God tells us how to discipline unrepentant brethren. The Church must be kept pure. But observe that Church discipline applies to sins committed that affects the church in general and not to matters of indifference.

*Do not take God’s kindness, grace, mercy, love, and patience for granted. It is clear that God’s patience with men has a limit.

*By judging others, you trespass into God’s domain and His sovereign authority to judge. Be careful! (Rom2:1-4)

*Jesus is our Savior, Lord, and Judge. In every battle, there is a winer and a loser. God can never lose. In His own time, God gives His people the victory by destroying their enemies. We submit to His authority. Rebellion is a terrible sin in the church.

*When Jesus died, He made us His brethren. Each one of us are connected to Him ‘vertically’ and we one to another, horizontally. Do not despise or judge one another. Our opinions in matters of indifference are less important than keeping the unity of the Spirit in all our relationships in the assembly. We are to love, help, and pray for other brethren. Worship the Lord!