Charismatic Bible Studies - James 2:1-13

[Hidden In Him]

Respect Of Persons, And The Wickedness Of Depicting God As Unjust



Note to the reader: This was originally intended to be Part 2 to the previous study on looking in the "mirror" of God's word, but after careful thought it has been repackaged to fit with a new theme.
Blessings,
- H

What was respect of persons, and why was it such an evil practice to be engaging in? In essence, it was treating others like spiritual inferiors, not just in the eyes of others but "in the eyes of God" as well. Such treatment created resentments and bitterness, sometimes leading others to invite evil spirits in rather than the Spirit of God. In extreme cases, however, it caused great resentments against the Lord himself, by associating the way self-righteous people were treating them with the way He would. And as will be covered, one of Satan's ultimate objectives is to cause men to hate their Creator and end up losing their salvation by cursing Him to His face, foolishly falling for the deception that He's unjust.

Sadly, the Jews had a long history of treating others like spiritual inferiors - the poor, widows, strangers, and orphans - which amounted to nothing short of spiritual abuse, and this was now proving true of early Jewish Christians as well. Instead of keeping the second greatest commandment and seeking ways to help the less fortunate, the early churches were reinforcing these forms of spiritual abuse by sitting the rich comfortably in Christian congregations while telling the poor to sit in the least honorable seats in the house. As James would now state, it had the effect of dishonoring the poor, when God Himself was doing quite the opposite.

My brothers, do not uphold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, while engaging in respect of persons. For if there comes into your synagogue a man wearing gold rings and fine apparel, but there may have also come in a poor man in dirty apparel, and you looked upon the one wearing the fine apparel and said to him, "You sit here comfortably," yet to the poor man you said, "You stand there," or "Sit under my footstool," have you not made distinctions amongst yourselves, and become judges arriving at evil verdicts? Hear me, my dear brothers. Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor. Do not the rich oppress you, and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you are called? (James 2:1-7)

The greatest evil here about "becoming judges who were arriving at evil verdicts" was that they were declaring God to be arriving at the same evil assessments that they were, and viewing the poor as spiritually inferior. But James was quick to make a distinction between the way the self-righteous were viewing the poor and the way the Lord was. But is it any surprise that James would later describe in detail how a spirit of jealousy and contentiousness was surfacing in Christian congregations? They were slandering and cursing each other rather than speaking blessings over one another as commanded, and all because a religious deception was being played out against them with intent of bringing death to entire congregations rather than spiritual life.

[The tongue] is a restless evil, full of death-dealing poison. By this we bless our Lord and Father, and by this we curse men who have been made after the likeness of God... if you have bitter jealousy and contentiousness in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, soulish, and demonic. For where jealousy and contentiousness are there is social unrest, and every evil state of affairs. (James 3:8-9, 14-16)

This all demonstrates how dishonoring others was not leading to an environment of peace. Rather, it was generating strife and bitterness, which is why James told them from the outset, "Do not uphold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ while engaging in respect of persons" (James 2:1).


Judgment Without Mercy

Granting someone a higher seat within Judaism was a way of bestowing greater honor upon them in public. It's why Jesus scolded the Pharisees for taking honor unto themselves in taking the highest seats presumptuously, telling them in one place, "Woe unto you, Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the marketplaces." (Luke 11:43). Judging by a parable the Lord gave in this same Chapter, His teaching was that believers needed to let God Himself be the judge of who was most worthy of honor and who was not.

8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11)

The believers James was now writing to, however, had forgotten these teachings, and were now presuming to know who was worthy of being honored based on mere financial status. It was purely based on assumptions, and arriving at one's own "evil verdicts" without actually hearing from God.

Even more extreme examples of practicing respect of persons were found in the Old Testament, where the term was often used in legal contexts about taking bribes to corrupted justice. The kings of Israel sometimes warned the judges they set in place not to do so and make it appear as if God Himself was evil and corrupt, for this would be an especially egregious sin to commit against the innocent, and those who loved God and were trying to obey Him. Scripture made it emphatically clear that the Lord was just, and a true reflection of Him would be to care for the poor and the fatherless.

5 Then [Jehoshaphat] set judges in the land... 6 and said to them, “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you in the judgment. 7 Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.” (2 Chronicles 19:5-7)

17 The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who does not engage in respect of persons nor takes a bribe. 18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and He loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:17-18)

These passages highlighted the need to NOT portray Him as an unjust Judge, for as stated, "there is no iniquity with the Lord our God." Depicting Him as if He was sinfully biased could leave them with blood on their hands in eternity. So James again reminded his readers to keep the commandment to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" by showing mercy, for in doing so this would be an accurate reflection of God to others. But everyone was a lawbreaker in some sense, and those who were unmerciful nevertheless were not only misrepresenting Him but could end up reaping what they had sown as well if they weren't careful.

If you truly keep the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well. But if you practice respect of persons you practice sin, having been convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one area has become guilty of all. For the One who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not commit murder." If you do not commit adultery yet commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who are about to be judged by the law of liberty, for judgment will be without mercy upon the one who has shown no mercy, [yet] mercy exalts itself over judgment. (James 2:8-13)

 

[Hidden In Him]

That judgment would be without mercy on those who did not show mercy was clearly taught in the Parable of the Unforgiving Steward, which Jesus laid out as follows:

23 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. (Matthew 18:23-35)


The God Of Justice

In hopes we will denounce God and curse Him to His face, Satan still tries to convince believers and unbelievers alike that He is an unjust God. In the book of Job, Satan so effected Job's wife that she eventually advised her husband to "curse God and die," assuming that the Lord must hate him. But this was based on assumption. In reality, the tragedies that befell Job were not caused by the Lord Himself but by Satan, who instigated the whole thing from the start and then carried it out, hoping to destroy a man of God.

Satan continues to attack believers to this day (something I can personally attest to), hoping to goad them into cursing the Lord. Again, the idea is to make Him appear unjust. But in reality, Deuteronomy 32:4 states that “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, for upright and just is He.” Psalms 11:7 also states in no uncertain terms that “The Lord is righteous and loves justice,” and rather than being the One who brings sufferings to the just, Psalms 10 states that He "breaks the arm of the wicked" so that they can oppress the just no longer.

13 Why does the wicked man renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." 14 But You have seen... 15 You break the arm of the wicked and the evil man 17... You will cause Your ear to hear, 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that the man of the earth may oppress no more. (Psalms 10:13-18)

Over the years, I have attended different churches in the city where I live, and heard their pastors speak. Some were good men of God, but I noticed some had developed a rather nasty reputation for exercising respect of persons, specifically in favor of those they placed in positions of leadership over their churches. I heard stories of some leaving because the pastor and his family were always off on some vacation or lavish convention when the poor in the church (including widows btw) were continually being called upon to "give till it hurts" and "believe God for the return" when weeks would go on when they couldn't even afford to pay their electricity. This was during the heyday of the Faith and Prosperity Movement, and the claim was that they just weren't believing God enough or they weren't putting enough in the offerings, or both. What was really going on, however, was self-serving exploitation of the congregation being masked as "ministry."

Other pastors exhibited similar favoritism in how some families in their churches were treated compared to their own. If the children of a non-prominent, non-supportive couple got in trouble they could be reprimanded severely, but if the pastor's kids did the same things they got a slap on the wrist, and the offended party was told that the situation had been "dealt with," only to have it happen again later.

This is nothing to say of the 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 dollar mansions ministers now call home, in part on the backs of some who have given their life savings hoping a loved one whom hey could not afford expensive procedures for would get healed as a result of their giving. Yet nothing happened, and now they couldn't even afford to give their loved one a few minor comforts before their death. Again, the reply was often that they simply didn't "believe God enough," and if they would then they too could enjoy "divine health." But how much easier to to "believe God" for healing when you lead a stress free life and money is no object. As the scripture states, "money answers all things." But such are the double standards that exist when people start exalting themselves above the rank and file and preach that no one should "touch God's anointed" or criticize the leadership because a curse will descend upon their lives if they do.

One would think that the ancient practice respecting persons would have faded into history by now, but the evil patterns Satan employs successfully will rarely fall out of vogue. They just get repackaged for the modern era, for as our Bibles says, there is nothing new under the sun. But what's the effect of this practice for those who end up being preyed upon by it? Some just endure the mistreatment, but others turn away from the Lord altogether, no longer desiring to have anything to do with a God who allows His leaders to take advantage of the poor and the helpless and get away with it year after year without repercussions. But what needs to be understood is that so long as the Devil's practices can still be reinserted into Christianity they will be, because he's still around, and is still seeking to draw people away from God unto damnation. It's not the God of Heaven who is evil, however. it's just the "accuser of the brethren" again, seeking to use human vessels to make his lies seem all the more convincing to humanity once more.


Questions And Applications

1. What if anything stood out to you in going through this study? Do you recall any thoughts as you were reading?

2. Think back to when you were a new Christian. How would you have been effected if you had joined a church where more severe abuses against the poor were taking place, and where respect of persons was being practiced by the leadership?

3. Do you know of accounts where such conduct effected the way others now see God? (family, friends, acquaintances etc)

4. What in your opinion is the best way to combat these misconceptions. What would you tell people who have been misled by them and don't know what they think about God or the church anymore?

5. Does scripture itself give teachings on how to avoid giving people these wrong impressions? If so, then where in scripture specifically?

 

[JLB]

What if anything stood out to you in going through this study? Do you recall any thoughts as you were reading?

This part...

Other pastors exhibited similar favoritism in how some families in their churches were treated compared to their own. If the children of a non-prominent, non-supportive couple got in trouble they could be reprimanded severely, but if the pastor's kids did the same things they got a slap on the wrist, and the offended party was told that the situation had been "dealt with," only to have it happen again later.

I can recall a church my wife and I attended, and left that had this type of behavior going on.

I think many churches in America have these issues going on.

I also know that we must be careful not to judge them and allow the enemy to gain a foothold in our lives over such things.

 

[JLB]

2. Think back to when you were a new Christian. How would you have been effected if you had joined a church where more severe abuses against the poor were taking place, and where respect of persons was being practiced by the leadership?

I often do. I remember not going to Church for many years, over much hypocrisy.

The Lord only strengthened me, and delivered me of many things.

 

[JLB]

That judgment would be without mercy on those who did not show mercy was clearly taught in the Parable of the Unforgiving Steward, which Jesus laid out as follows:

23 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. (Matthew 18:23-35)


The God Of Justice

In hopes we will denounce God and curse Him to His face, Satan still tries to convince believers and unbelievers alike that He is an unjust God. In the book of Job, Satan so effected Job's wife that she eventually advised her husband to "curse God and die," assuming that the Lord must hate him. But this was based on assumption. In reality, the tragedies that befell Job were not caused by the Lord Himself but by Satan, who instigated the whole thing from the start and then carried it out, hoping to destroy a man of God.

Satan continues to attack believers to this day (something I can personally attest to), hoping to goad them into cursing the Lord. Again, the idea is to make Him appear unjust. But in reality, Deuteronomy 32:4 states that “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, for upright and just is He.” Psalms 11:7 also states in no uncertain terms that “The Lord is righteous and loves justice,” and rather than being the One who brings sufferings to the just, Psalms 10 states that He "breaks the arm of the wicked" so that they can oppress the just no longer.

13 Why does the wicked man renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." 14 But You have seen... 15 You break the arm of the wicked and the evil man 17... You will cause Your ear to hear, 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that the man of the earth may oppress no more. (Psalms 10:13-18)

Over the years, I have attended different churches in the city where I live, and heard their pastors speak. Some were good men of God, but I noticed some had developed a rather nasty reputation for exercising respect of persons, specifically in favor of those they placed in positions of leadership over their churches. I heard stories of some leaving because the pastor and his family were always off on some vacation or lavish convention when the poor in the church (including widows btw) were continually being called upon to "give till it hurts" and "believe God for the return" when weeks would go on when they couldn't even afford to pay their electricity. This was during the heyday of the Faith and Prosperity Movement, and the claim was that they just weren't believing God enough or they weren't putting enough in the offerings, or both. What was really going on, however, was self-serving exploitation of the congregation being masked as "ministry."

Other pastors exhibited similar favoritism in how some families in their churches were treated compared to their own. If the children of a non-prominent, non-supportive couple got in trouble they could be reprimanded severely, but if the pastor's kids did the same things they got a slap on the wrist, and the offended party was told that the situation had been "dealt with," only to have it happen again later.

This is nothing to say of the 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 dollar mansions ministers now call home, in part on the backs of some who have given their life savings hoping a loved one whom hey could not afford expensive procedures for would get healed as a result of their giving. Yet nothing happened, and now they couldn't even afford to give their loved one a few minor comforts before their death. Again, the reply was often that they simply didn't "believe God enough," and if they would then they too could enjoy "divine health." But how much easier to to "believe God" for healing when you lead a stress free life and money is no object. As the scripture states, "money answers all things." But such are the double standards that exist when people start exalting themselves above the rank and file and preach that no one should "touch God's anointed" or criticize the leadership because a curse will descend upon their lives if they do.

One would think that the ancient practice respecting persons would have faded into history by now, but the evil patterns Satan employs successfully will rarely fall out of vogue. They just get repackaged for the modern era, for as our Bibles says, there is nothing new under the sun. But what's the effect of this practice for those who end up being preyed upon by it? Some just endure the mistreatment, but others turn away from the Lord altogether, no longer desiring to have anything to do with a God who allows His leaders to take advantage of the poor and the helpless and get away with it year after year without repercussions. But what needs to be understood is that so long as the Devil's practices can still be reinserted into Christianity they will be, because he's still around, and is still seeking to draw people away from God unto damnation. It's not the God of Heaven who is evil, however. it's just the "accuser of the brethren" again, seeking to use human vessels to make his lies seem all the more convincing to humanity once more.


Questions And Applications

1. What if anything stood out to you in going through this study? Do you recall any thoughts as you were reading?

2. Think back to when you were a new Christian. How would you have been effected if you had joined a church where more severe abuses against the poor were taking place, and where respect of persons was being practiced by the leadership?

3. Do you know of accounts where such conduct effected the way others now see God? (family, friends, acquaintances etc)

4. What in your opinion is the best way to combat these misconceptions. What would you tell people who have been misled by them and don't know what they think about God or the church anymore?

5. Does scripture itself give teachings on how to avoid giving people these wrong impressions? If so, then where in scripture specifically?

Good study brother.



I enjoyed it.

 

[Hidden In Him]

This part...

Other pastors exhibited similar favoritism in how some families in their churches were treated compared to their own. If the children of a non-prominent, non-supportive couple got in trouble they could be reprimanded severely, but if the pastor's kids did the same things they got a slap on the wrist, and the offended party was told that the situation had been "dealt with," only to have it happen again later.

I can recall a church my wife and I attended, and left that had this type of behavior going on.

I think many churches in America have these issues going on.

I also know that we must be careful not to judge them and allow the enemy to gain a foothold in our lives over such things.

Yeah. I saw the some of the same behavior in my wife's church, and that's actually a pretty good church. But there was still some favoritism going on. And there was gross favoritism going on in her former church. That pastor actually ran with the pastor I referenced in the above piece. Both their families were always off on conventions together, and the message to their churches was always how much everyone needed to sacrifice if they truly loved God.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Good study brother.



I enjoyed it.

Thank you, bro! I appreciate it.

 

[Lafftur]

Questions And Applications

1. What if anything stood out to you in going through this study? Do you recall any thoughts as you were reading?

I have to ask.... is this Ebenezer Scrooge?! lol!


Just a sidenote - HiddeninHim, I'm thinking you have the anointing of a pastor because you are concerned for the sheep. Awesome!

As I was reading, I began to flip it and consider the other side of the coin, so to speak...


Having respect of persons is self-promoting and exalting oneself. However, there is a flip side... when God promotes you. God does exalt those that humble themselves and in due season God will exalt them into leadership. The self-promoting leaders will have nothing to give to people and only take from people. Whereas, those that God exalts, God will also equip them to meet the needs of the people... physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. The bottom line difference is always... one gives Life and one gives Death.

Concerning favoritism... it is the same... Do I seek favor with man or favor with God? Have no desire for people to like us... people will like us one day and then turn around and not like us the next day. But, not so with God. I've learned to just seek favor with God... let people think and say and do... whatever. I still love them but, I'm not that concerned if people like me or not... because it's always changing. lol!

... and be careful about showing favoritism to people.... we are to love all people.

2. Think back to when you were a new Christian. How would you have been effected if you had joined a church where more severe abuses against the poor were taking place, and where respect of persons was being practiced by the leadership?

Sounds like wolves in sheep clothing... not a safe place to be, especially if I'm a little new born lamb.

3. Do you know of accounts where such conduct effected the way others now see God? (family, friends, acquaintances etc)

I'm so thankful God knows how to find these and reveal Himself to them, in spite of our wrong conduct whenever we misrepresent God.

4. What in your opinion is the best way to combat these misconceptions. What would you tell people who have been misled by them and don't know what they think about God or the church anymore?

I'm to be a light that shines... I don't have to force the gospel down anyone's throat or argue with them, nor do I desire to speak bad of those that hurt them. We're all a mess and we're all under construction.

It's best to just get the conversation back on how wonderful Jesus is and how much God loves them... Jesus will draw people to Himself, I just need to left Him up.

5. Does scripture itself give teachings on how to avoid giving people these wrong impressions? If so, then where in scripture specifically?

Jesus warned His own disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees... do not desire to be like them... they love all the elite seats, priestly garments, and praise of man. The Pharisees would still preach the writings of Moses, so listen to them but, do not do what they do.

Basically, we are to be very careful of how we learn and what we believe. Best to keep our eyes of Jesus Christ and His Word and the Holy Spirit. Our decisions are our own responsibility. It is VERY important what I choose to believe and what I reject.

Matthew 16:5-12

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees​

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”

8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?
9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up?
10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up?
11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Great study Hidden In Him! I enjoyed it very much! Good to remind us of how to be a true example of Jesus and how to treat others, know that people are watching us and what we think, say and do matters to God and others.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I have to ask.... is this Ebenezer Scrooge?! lol!

Ahahaha! Looks like him, doesn't it.

Just a sidenote - HiddeninHim, I'm thinking you have the anointing of a pastor because you are concerned for the sheep. Awesome!

Well I appreciate it, although I'm not sure I'm pastor material. I'm more of a teacher, but I try to guide people in the right direction whenever I can.

Having respect of persons is self-promoting and exalting oneself. However, there is a flip side... when God promotes you. God does exalt those that humble themselves and in due season God will exalt them into leadership. The self-promoting leaders will have nothing to give to people and only take from people. Whereas, those that God exalts, God will also equip them to meet the needs of the people...

Yeah, there is a promise the Lord gave that addressed this:

16 When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:16-17)

To be continued....

 

[Hidden In Him]

Concerning favoritism... it is the same... Do I seek favor with man or favor with God? Have no desire for people to like us... people will like us one day and then turn around and not like us the next day.

Don't remind me, LoL.

not a safe place to be, especially if I'm a little new born lamb.

Yes. Maybe not to the level of wolves in sheep's clothing, but it reminds me of the passage where Jesus warned the disciples in the following passage (not sure if I actually quoted this passage or not):

45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51)

Basically, we are to be very careful of how we learn and what we believe. Best to keep our eyes of Jesus Christ and His Word and the Holy Spirit. Our decisions are our own responsibility. It is VERY important what I choose to believe and what I reject.

Matthew 16:5-12

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees​

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”

8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?
9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up?
10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up?
11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Amen!

Great study @Hidden In Him! I enjoyed it very much! Good to remind us of how to be a true example of Jesus and how to treat others, know that people are watching us and what we think, say and do matters to God and others.

Thank you, sister. I appreciate you saying that. Thanks for participating in the study.

 

[Guardian Angel]

That judgment would be without mercy on those who did not show mercy was clearly taught in the Parable of the Unforgiving Steward, which Jesus laid out as follows:

23 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. (Matthew 18:23-35)


The God Of Justice

In hopes we will denounce God and curse Him to His face, Satan still tries to convince believers and unbelievers alike that He is an unjust God. In the book of Job, Satan so effected Job's wife that she eventually advised her husband to "curse God and die," assuming that the Lord must hate him. But this was based on assumption. In reality, the tragedies that befell Job were not caused by the Lord Himself but by Satan, who instigated the whole thing from the start and then carried it out, hoping to destroy a man of God.

Satan continues to attack believers to this day (something I can personally attest to), hoping to goad them into cursing the Lord. Again, the idea is to make Him appear unjust. But in reality, Deuteronomy 32:4 states that “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, for upright and just is He.” Psalms 11:7 also states in no uncertain terms that “The Lord is righteous and loves justice,” and rather than being the One who brings sufferings to the just, Psalms 10 states that He "breaks the arm of the wicked" so that they can oppress the just no longer.

13 Why does the wicked man renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." 14 But You have seen... 15 You break the arm of the wicked and the evil man 17... You will cause Your ear to hear, 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that the man of the earth may oppress no more. (Psalms 10:13-18)

Over the years, I have attended different churches in the city where I live, and heard their pastors speak. Some were good men of God, but I noticed some had developed a rather nasty reputation for exercising respect of persons, specifically in favor of those they placed in positions of leadership over their churches. I heard stories of some leaving because the pastor and his family were always off on some vacation or lavish convention when the poor in the church (including widows btw) were continually being called upon to "give till it hurts" and "believe God for the return" when weeks would go on when they couldn't even afford to pay their electricity. This was during the heyday of the Faith and Prosperity Movement, and the claim was that they just weren't believing God enough or they weren't putting enough in the offerings, or both. What was really going on, however, was self-serving exploitation of the congregation being masked as "ministry."

Other pastors exhibited similar favoritism in how some families in their churches were treated compared to their own. If the children of a non-prominent, non-supportive couple got in trouble they could be reprimanded severely, but if the pastor's kids did the same things they got a slap on the wrist, and the offended party was told that the situation had been "dealt with," only to have it happen again later.

This is nothing to say of the 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 dollar mansions ministers now call home, in part on the backs of some who have given their life savings hoping a loved one whom hey could not afford expensive procedures for would get healed as a result of their giving. Yet nothing happened, and now they couldn't even afford to give their loved one a few minor comforts before their death. Again, the reply was often that they simply didn't "believe God enough," and if they would then they too could enjoy "divine health." But how much easier to to "believe God" for healing when you lead a stress free life and money is no object. As the scripture states, "money answers all things." But such are the double standards that exist when people start exalting themselves above the rank and file and preach that no one should "touch God's anointed" or criticize the leadership because a curse will descend upon their lives if they do.

One would think that the ancient practice respecting persons would have faded into history by now, but the evil patterns Satan employs successfully will rarely fall out of vogue. They just get repackaged for the modern era, for as our Bibles says, there is nothing new under the sun. But what's the effect of this practice for those who end up being preyed upon by it? Some just endure the mistreatment, but others turn away from the Lord altogether, no longer desiring to have anything to do with a God who allows His leaders to take advantage of the poor and the helpless and get away with it year after year without repercussions. But what needs to be understood is that so long as the Devil's practices can still be reinserted into Christianity they will be, because he's still around, and is still seeking to draw people away from God unto damnation. It's not the God of Heaven who is evil, however. it's just the "accuser of the brethren" again, seeking to use human vessels to make his lies seem all the more convincing to humanity once more.


Questions And Applications

1. What if anything stood out to you in going through this study? Do you recall any thoughts as you were reading?

2. Think back to when you were a new Christian. How would you have been effected if you had joined a church where more severe abuses against the poor were taking place, and where respect of persons was being practiced by the leadership?

3. Do you know of accounts where such conduct effected the way others now see God? (family, friends, acquaintances etc)

4. What in your opinion is the best way to combat these misconceptions. What would you tell people who have been misled by them and don't know what they think about God or the church anymore?

5. Does scripture itself give teachings on how to avoid giving people these wrong impressions? If so, then where in scripture specifically?

Great bible study

 

[Hidden In Him]

Great bible study

LoL!

Thank you very much. Nice frog, lol.