ARE WE BEING JUDGED?

...Preachers say we are.
...Scholars say we are.
...Theologians say we are. 

And, doesn't it sometimes feel like we are?

They say America is being judged.
They say the Church is being judged.
And they say that God is bringing down judgement on us when we see:

• Fires
• Tornadoes
• Hurricanes
• Earthquakes
• Snow Storms
• And Terrorism

 And, they say that we're being judged because of:

• Israel
• Abortion
• Immigration
• Homosexuality
• And political unrighteousness

And... I know it feels like it sometimes, but, whenever I hear about how we're being judged, I wonder... are we really?

There are some pretty big names; some really respected leaders who say that we are being judged, but... I wonder - I mean I really, really wonder - are we being judged?

Psalm 102:13
"You shall arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come."

As I was studying for several sermons on grace, favor and mercy, this verse kept coming up.  And, one thing Theologians and scholars do agree on is that "Zion" is generally a prophetic reference to the Church today.  

And the truth is, God really does have mercy for the Church today. His mercies are new each morning! 

Most of us who have been in church for any length of time know this verse... so do the scholars! But those same scholars might also define mercy as "not receiving [the bad] that you do deserve."  And conversely, grace is when you do receive [the good] that you don't deserve."

Hebrews 4:16
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

So, if God is giving us His mercy, and  He wants us to come boldly before Him to receive mercy, that means we, as individuals and as the body of Christ, are NOT receiving or going to receive the bad that we do deserve!

Yes, there is A LOT of bad in the world! The list above is accurate, devastating and sad. But that list above is a result of the sin in this world - not punishment for our sin! The bad things that happen in the world are the consequences of living in a world with a bad, bad devil who only comes to kill, steal and destroy! (John 10:10)

But Jesus has come that we might have life! How? Through is mercy and grace!

No, we are NOT being judged! God cannot and will not judge us and punish us when He's offering us His mercy! 

And thank God His mercies are new everyday! 


Power, love & Peace, ya'll!
~Pastor D