Week of 12/18/07

We're just about to outgrow our coffee shop! The good news is we have some very promising options we are looking into. We are also planning a get together in January, most likely with some very big fire involved. We'll keep you up to date as things progress.

Our discussion tonight started in Matthew 7, verse 15. We defined false prophets as selfish people who distort the truth. Jesus warns to beware these 'wolves' which raises some interesting questions. Earlier in the chapter Jesus warns against judging others, but in this same chapter he makes the very clear distinction that we must be in the constant process of evaluating ourselves and others. For example, Matthew 7:6 talks about not giving what is sacred to dogs, and not giving pearls to pigs. Matthew 7:15 requires us to 'judge' the actions and results of others to determine whether or not they line up with the truth.

Is this a contradiction? At first it appears Jesus is saying don't just others and judge others in the same chapter, even in the same train of thought. In reality, there is a distinction between the two thoughts. Verse 1 is in regards to passing judgment, or condemning someone else which is not our responsibility. Verses 6 and 15 refer to evaluating or measuring. The problem many of us have is as soon as we start evaluating someone else we often begin to feel guilty and think "Oh I can't do this - I'm not supposed to judge." In reality, we should be making judgments (evaluations not condemnations) in every situation.

Moral of the story, our motive in judging is the determining factor. If we are judging to condemn someone or to look down on them, we are violating the principles of scripture. However, if our motive is simply to measure, then that is something we should be consistently doing.

We closed out our discussion talking about faith, and how a relationship (like father to son) builds confidence, and trust. Our reluctance, laziness or fear to respond to God-given opportunities shows that we do not have the relationship with God that we should.

The application from tonight is that we should constantly be evaluating our own motives, and the fruit that is (or isn't) in our lives. The more we understand the standard (the scriptures) the easier it will be for us to evaluate. We must continually pursue truth, and continually connect with God as part of the application of this passage of this passage.

We are not meeting the next two weeks, so we'll see you on January 8th! Our discussion will start in Matthew 7, verse 21.

May you continue to realize that God is desperately in love with you, and may you relentlessly pursue learning how to love Him more.

Karen and I wish each one of you a very Merry Christmas!

Peace to you my friends,
-davey