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“Please Judge Me”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bryan Gibson -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michael D. Hickox 1) Hear\u00a0<\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street “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). ——————– Contents: 1) “Please Judge Me” (Bryan Gibson)2) Attitudes That Hinder Repentance (Michael D. Hickox) ——————– -1- “Please Judge Me” Bryan […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3145"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3148,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145\/revisions\/3148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
That\u2019s right, it\u2019s time we flipped the script on the overused and misused slogan of so many\u2014\u201cdon\u2019t judge me.\u201d Me personally, I want<\/strong> to know when I\u2019m wrong\u2014in any area of my spiritual life. I do \u201cexamine (my) own work\u201d (Galatians 6:4); I do \u201cjudge\u201d myself (1 Corinthians 11:31), but I may be blind to what others can clearly see.
Just to be clear, I\u2019m not talking about the \u201ccommand fire to come down from heaven\u201d 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\u2014by pointing out my sins.
I would urge you to not judge me too hastily, to \u201cnot judge according to appearance, but\u2026with righteous judgment\u201d (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 \u201copen rebuke is better than love carefully concealed\u201d (Proverbs 27:5). \u201cFaithful are the wounds of a friend\u201d (Proverbs 27:6), so don\u2019t 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\u2019t 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\u2019s both be willing to repent.
And yes, it would be easier on me (and you) if you come to me, at least initially, \u201cin a spirit of gentleness\u201d (Galatians 6:1). Circumstances may call for a sharper rebuke (Titus 1:13), and if that\u2019s the case, it\u2019s on me to respond with a \u201cbroken and a contrite heart\u201d (Psalms 51:17). Bottom line\u2014be careful in your approach, but from my<\/strong> standpoint, how<\/strong> you speak to me doesn\u2019t change the facts. If I\u2019m guilty of sin, that\u2019s my<\/strong> 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\u2019t be surprised when you feel the need to warn others about me. Public teaching invites public scrutiny, and if necessary, public rebuke\u2014I understand that, and I also understand that if I listen to correction along the way, it may not ever have to come to that.
\u201cDon\u2019t judge me\u201d\u2014here\u2019s what God says about that approach: \u201cHe who refuses correction goes astray\u201d (Proverbs 10:17). \u201cHe who hates correction is stupid\u201d (Proverbs 12:1). \u201cHe who hates correction will die\u201d (Proverbs 15:10). \u201cHe who disdains instruction despises his own soul\u2026\u201d (Proverbs 15:32).
\u201cPlease judge me\u201d\u2014here\u2019s what God says about that approach: \u201cHe who regards a rebuke will be honored\u201d (Proverbs 13:18). \u201cHe who receives correction is prudent\u201d (Proverbs 15:5). \u201cThe ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise\u2026he who heeds rebuke gets understanding\u201d (Proverbs 15:31-32).
So, which is the better approach? You be the judge.
— Via Plain Words from God’s Word,<\/em> July 31, 2025
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAttitudes That Hinder Repentance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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, \u201cMen and brethren, what shall we do?\u201d (verse 37). In response, \u201cPeter 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\u201d (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\u2019 name for the remission of sins, the apostle also commanded, \u201cRepent.\u201d
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\u2019s apostle then commanded him, \u201cRepent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee\u201d (verse 22).
It is thus evident that both for the alien sinner and the erring Christian, repentance is part of God\u2019s requirements for receiving forgiveness.
Consider some attitudes that hinder this needed repentance.
Ignoring the Seriousness of Sin. <\/strong>Some fail to repent because they don\u2019t recognize how serious sin is. Romans 6:23 says \u201cthe wages of sin is death.\u201d Sin, if continued in, leads one to eternity in \u201ceverlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels\u201d (Matthew 25:41).
Some take sin lightly because they compare themselves to other people instead of God\u2019s will. The thought is, \u201cEverybody sins, and my sin is no worse than anyone else\u2019s.\u201d
While it\u2019s true that many people are living in sin, it\u2019s also true that \u201cmany\u201d are on the broad path that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). If we desire to be the \u201cfew\u201d who receive eternal life, we must measure things by God\u2019s will. Those who do so realize that sin is despicable, and thus, turn in the opposite direction of it.
\u201cSweeping Sin Under the Rug.\u201d<\/strong> Another pitfall is the idea that if no one finds out about a sin, it\u2019s not a big deal.
After David committed adultery with Bathsheba, instead of acknowledging his sin and repenting, David tried to \u201csweep it under the rug.\u201d He told lies and abused his position as king to cause an innocent man to be killed, all in an attempt to \u201ccover up\u201d sin that could never really be covered up. The end of 2 Samuel 11 states \u201cthe thing that David had done displeased the LORD\u201d (verse 27). As this verse exemplifies, there\u2019s no sin hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13).
Attacking the Messenger.<\/strong> 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, \u201cam I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?\u201d (Galatians 4:16).
Fearing Rejection. <\/strong>Some fail to repent for fear of being rejected by others (cf. John 12:43).
Jesus stated, \u201cHe 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\u201d (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. <\/strong>Still others fail to repent because they don\u2019t have the sense of urgency needed to do so. The belief is that turning to the Lord is something to do \u201cdown the road.\u201d 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<\/em> from the Knollwood church of Christ, August 2025
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0
2) Believe\u00a0<\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent\u00a0<\/strong>of sins.\u00a0 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).\u00a0 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\u00a0<\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized\u00a0<\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).\u00a0 This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).\u00a0 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 \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (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\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>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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CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday:<\/strong> 9 a.m<\/strong>. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first):<\/strong> 7 p.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes\u00a0
\u00a0First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. <\/strong>Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"