9th November 2024

9th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 4v11-12)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


There are some conversations that I have engaged in that I should never have had. Even as I write these words I’m mindful of things that I have said about fellow Christians which were mean spirited and desperately harsh. But the target of my words probably deserved it…right? No. Returning to the subject of our tongues, James says “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.” (v11). Sometimes we don’t always grasp the meaning of Scripture but not this time. James is as clear as crystal, he says “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.” (v11).


When we judge a fellow Christian we act as if we have the power and authority to do so. Nevertheless, none of us has that lofty position. Indeed when we speak in harsh judgement we speak evil against the law and judge the law (v11b). What does James mean? As we judge our fellow Christian we are acting as if we ourselves are above the law. We condemn our brother and we defame our sister for their inability to keep God’s commands without realising that we fail to keep the law as well. Our actions our hypocritical, nasty and sinful.


Who are you to judge your neighbour (v12b)? Who are you to claim perfect knowledge of another’s actions or motives? Who are you to act as if you are the master of the law and able to wield it perfectly? These questions should humble us and cause our lips to be still. There is only One who gave the law and there is only One perfect, sinless judge who is able to both save and destroy (v12). I suspect we know the identity of this One and it isn’t someone currently reading this devotion.


The law of God belongs to the Lord. It is good, perfect and just for it flows from God Himself. God alone gave the law and it is God alone who judges rightly. Therefore, to my soul and yours James asks “who are you to judge your neighbour?” (v12). But wait…aren’t there times that judgement is necessary? Absolutely! The Lord calls us frequently to engage in wise, sober judgement.


Consider the elder who denies the resurrection of Christ or the church member who never tires of gossip or the treasurer who steals 10% of the offering each week. Are we to avoid judgement in such instances? No. There are times that judgement is necessary and demanded by the Lord. Imagine your friend approaches you to tell you that she is thinking about leaving her husband for someone she has become very close to in her Bible study group - your response shouldn’t be “None of my business! Judge not lest thee be judged!”


James isn’t speaking about wise, prayerful and considered judgement. He is addressing the petty, snide, sinful, defamatory, slanderous judgement that can sometimes pour from our tongues. To this rotten nonsense James shouts loudly “Do not speak evil against one another.”


May the Lord make it so for the sake of His Church. 




Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q31 What is effectual calling? Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
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