“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
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Contents:
1) “Please Judge Me” (Bryan Gibson)
2) Attitudes That Hinder Repentance (Michael D. Hickox)
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“Please Judge Me”
Bryan Gibson
That’s right, it’s time we flipped the script on the overused and misused slogan of so many—“don’t judge me.” Me personally, I want to know when I’m wrong—in any area of my spiritual life. I do “examine (my) own work” (Galatians 6:4); I do “judge” myself (1 Corinthians 11:31), but I may be blind to what others can clearly see.
Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the “command fire to come down from heaven” spirit of judgment displayed by James and John (Luke 9:51-56). Final judgment belongs to the Lord, but you can help me get ready for that judgment by judging me now—by pointing out my sins.
I would urge you to not judge me too hastily, to “not judge according to appearance, but…with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). But if you know the facts, and the facts point to my guilt, please love me enough to rebuke me (Revelation 3:19), because “open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed” (Proverbs 27:5). “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6), so don’t be afraid to wound me.
I would also prefer that you not judge me hypocritically, that you not be guilty of the same things of which you accuse me (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-3). Not for my sake, because your hypocrisy doesn’t change my innocence or guilt, but for your sake. Make sure you humbly apply the same standard (the gospel) to yourself that you apply to me, and let’s both be willing to repent.
And yes, it would be easier on me (and you) if you come to me, at least initially, “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Circumstances may call for a sharper rebuke (Titus 1:13), and if that’s the case, it’s on me to respond with a “broken and a contrite heart” (Psalms 51:17). Bottom line—be careful in your approach, but from my standpoint, how you speak to me doesn’t change the facts. If I’m guilty of sin, that’s my biggest concern, not the manner in which you spoke.
It could be that my actions call for a public rebuke, much like Peter received at the hands of Paul (Galatians 2:13-14). And though I have no intention to do so, if I publicly teach false doctrine, I shouldn’t be surprised when you feel the need to warn others about me. Public teaching invites public scrutiny, and if necessary, public rebuke—I understand that, and I also understand that if I listen to correction along the way, it may not ever have to come to that.
“Don’t judge me”—here’s what God says about that approach: “He who refuses correction goes astray” (Proverbs 10:17). “He who hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1). “He who hates correction will die” (Proverbs 15:10). “He who disdains instruction despises his own soul…” (Proverbs 15:32).
“Please judge me”—here’s what God says about that approach: “He who regards a rebuke will be honored” (Proverbs 13:18). “He who receives correction is prudent” (Proverbs 15:5). “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise…he who heeds rebuke gets understanding” (Proverbs 15:31-32).
So, which is the better approach? You be the judge.
— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, July 31, 2025
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Attitudes That Hinder Repentance
Michael D. Hickox
In Acts 2, the apostle Peter preached to Jews who became filled with guilt over what they had done to Jesus. These Jews asked the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (verse 37). In response, “Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (verse 38). In this verse, the Holy Spirit through Peter set forth commands that must be followed to become a Christian. Besides baptism in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins, the apostle also commanded, “Repent.”
Later, in Acts 8, a man named Simon heard this same message, and was baptized into Christ (verse 13). After becoming a Christian though, Simon sinned (verses 18-19). The Lord’s apostle then commanded him, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (verse 22).
It is thus evident that both for the alien sinner and the erring Christian, repentance is part of God’s requirements for receiving forgiveness.
Consider some attitudes that hinder this needed repentance.
Ignoring the Seriousness of Sin. Some fail to repent because they don’t recognize how serious sin is. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death.” Sin, if continued in, leads one to eternity in “everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
Some take sin lightly because they compare themselves to other people instead of God’s will. The thought is, “Everybody sins, and my sin is no worse than anyone else’s.”
While it’s true that many people are living in sin, it’s also true that “many” are on the broad path that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). If we desire to be the “few” who receive eternal life, we must measure things by God’s will. Those who do so realize that sin is despicable, and thus, turn in the opposite direction of it.
“Sweeping Sin Under the Rug.” Another pitfall is the idea that if no one finds out about a sin, it’s not a big deal.
After David committed adultery with Bathsheba, instead of acknowledging his sin and repenting, David tried to “sweep it under the rug.” He told lies and abused his position as king to cause an innocent man to be killed, all in an attempt to “cover up” sin that could never really be covered up. The end of 2 Samuel 11 states “the thing that David had done displeased the LORD” (verse 27). As this verse exemplifies, there’s no sin hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13).
Attacking the Messenger. Some fail to repent because their focus is on the faults of the messenger pointing out sin, rather than the message he proclaims. Many attack the messenger for speaking words that could lead them to eternal life.
This is a surefire way to ensure that we will not allow ourselves to be helped when repentance is needed in our lives. As the apostle Paul asked the Galatian brethren, “am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).
Fearing Rejection. Some fail to repent for fear of being rejected by others (cf. John 12:43).
Jesus stated, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37), implying that being His disciple often involves making choices that anger even those closest to us (cf. verses 34-36). The key question is: do we love Jesus more?
Procrastinating. Still others fail to repent because they don’t have the sense of urgency needed to do so. The belief is that turning to the Lord is something to do “down the road.” This attitude pretends to know more about the future than God has revealed. None of us know how many more days we have on earth (James 4:14), or even how much longer the earth will exist (Matthew 24:36).
When sin is in our lives, may each of us determine not to allow these or any attitude to stand between us and repentance.
— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, August 2025
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).
2) Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…
6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes
First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)