08.21.07
“TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES!”
Luke 6:37-38
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
One of the first game shows back in the days of radio (later on television) was called Truth or Consequences, with Ralph Edwards as the emcee. Contestants were asked almost-impossible questions. If they gave an incorrect answer (which they usually did) they had to pay the consequences. These consequences were designed to embarrass the contestant but entertain the audience.
With God the consequences are much more than embarrassing or entertaining. They are tragic. The sad thing is that Satan deceives people into thinking that to follow after God is to lose joy and to lose out on excitement. What a lie!
Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal son. This young man took his inheritance and thought he was wise in enjoying it while he was young. It was very soon that the money was gone, and those who had acted as if they were his friends spurned him. THE CONSEQUENCE OF HIS ACTIONS WAS BANKRUPTCY.
Having been a law enforcement officer, I have seen people at all stages of reveling. They put on a glad smile as the first drinks are taken and the problems of the day melt away. Soon however, you see the smile turn to tears and the happiness become hostility. They lose control of their reason, and when they sober up, they cannot recall the way they behaved under intoxication. Some who were video taped while drunk were shown the tapes after they were sober. They could not believe that they could have behaved in that manner.
That is the negative side of consequences. Jesus always gives the positive side of consequences for those who have ears to hear. Joy comes as we obey Him. It takes off the pressure and penalty of sin and leaves us with the satisfaction of doing things God’s way.
Today’s Scripture are the words of Jesus. Think about it - God sent His own dear Son into the world as a man, and His words of command and wisdom are our mandate. He did not say; “If you feel like it, do not judge.” “If it is not inconvenient do not condemn.” “If and when you get around to it- give.” Jesus’ words were not suggestions, they were commands! There are no options when we hear these words. We either obey and receive blessing, or ignore and reap the consequences.
There are three elements in this teaching of Jesus: judging, condemning, and giving. The first two are given in a negative form. “Do not judge!” “Do not condemn!” The consequences of obeying these commands of Jesus are that we will not be judged and we will not be condemned.
This does not imply that we are to “buy into” or to “allow” any and every questionable form of behavior. Sin is sin and we are to shun it and confront it. The problem is when we act in a pharisaical manner to the sin of others while failing to deal with our own sin.
The third teaching Jesus gave in this passage was in the area of giving. I wish to state right up front that I reject the “name it and claim it!” gospel. I am sickened by television exploiters who appeal for money with the promise that you will prosper and have no adversity in your life. That is just not Biblical. In John 16:33 we are told by Jesus, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Our giving is to be controlled by the Lord, and generally our giving is to go to the local church, not to some high living spiritual spin artists! Sorry, I was carried away there for a minute.
True and sincere giving comes from a heart that is obedient to God. It is a discipline which is practiced as a form of spiritual worship. Giving under the direction of the Lord is to be done secretly and obediently. Giving is not done in order to increase our own wealth or personal well being.
Even if our giving has no expectation of reward, He promises such blessings that it cannot be contained. The bottom line is that we cannot out give the Lord. In John chapter 6 we read of a boy who had seven loaves and two fish. It was no doubt intended for his own lunch. Instead it was given to the Master, who fed the five thousand until they were filled and still there were twelve baskets filled with the excess.
That is what true giving is all about. It is simply giving what we have to the Lord and allowing Him to use it in such a way that our giving is multiplied. That is the way with God’s blessings. He knows how to take our small gift and turn it into a blessing for ourselves and others. How rich and wonderful are the ways of God!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil