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"God alone has the power to judge eternal judgement and/or final condemnation. But God commands believers to test, prove, judge and discern what is true and what is right and wrong. We are not to judge the hearts and intents of man, but we are to judge actions and discern right from wrong. The word 'judge' (Greek-krino) is used over 80 times in the New Testament and it means to call in question, discern, conclude, decree and determine." (letusreason.org - I don't know this organization but I liked the way this was worded so I used it.)
John 7:24, Hebrews 5:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Matthew 18:16, and 1 Thessalonians 5:21 as a start. The Bible is very clear and strong on this point. Take a few minutes to follow these two links and read the articles.
Good Question: Who are we to Judge? (by B. Larson on ChristianityToday.com)
Common sense suggests that if no one ever judged other people, there would be no real human community. In a sinful world, no community can exist for long where nobody is ever held accountable: no teacher would grade a student's performance; no citizen would sit on a jury or call a failed leader to account. And, when you come to think of it, nobody would ever forgive anyone for wrongs he had done; we only forgive people for what we blame them, and we blame them only after we have judged them.
Is it right to judge others? (Good article by M. Randall)
Today it seems the most often quoted Bible verse is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged." Some use it without realizing its true meaning and others, Christian and non Christians, use it to avoid accountability. Hypocrites for example would use it to avoid being challenged in their wrong doing. What does this verse really mean? Does this verse teach that we cannot judge others?
If someone believes there is good evidence and belief that someone commits a crime such as murder, they are not to just sit by and do and think nothing. They are to deliver the alleged offender to the authorities and prove, test and discern. This is what our criminal justice system is for. Surely no one wants to do away with the Courts and trials of all kinds because they are afraid to judge right from wrong and to free the righteous and rebuke and punish the evildoer. I do not and will not ever judge Matt's soul. If he did this and it's proved he did this beyond a shadow of a doubt, I pray that he repents and earnestly seeks God's forgiveness and receives it. I don't want him to go to hell. I am not trying to condemn him at all. And if he's innocent, what a wonderful relief and joyous day it will be when all this is officially put behind him. But this case needs to be tried. The truth deserves to come out. Don't we all want that?
Responding to whoever wrote responding that they agreed with me totally but....
I don't think that my postings and/or comments are evil in the least. I do feel passionately and probably come across that way a lot. I won't apologize for that. Until I see/hear evidence conflicting my opinions, I do not think/believe Kari took her own life. I don't think Kari "chose to leave her girls." It's a gut wrenching subject matter we're discussing and feelings and passions are heated. It's human nature. I've time and time again said I'm not condemning anyone. Not my job. But I am commanded by God to test and discern what is right and wrong and stand on the side of right....to pray....and let God work his plan. In this day and age and with my affinity to the internet and information and communication, I chose to start a blog with the links and information on this case. I never dreamed anyone besides me and a few of my friends and family would ever even see this. I really never dreamed that both family and friends of Matt's and Kari's would come here at all...especially with the frequency and number of hits each day that this blog is getting. Someone complained that this blog is too one-sided on Kari's behalf. Well, it is my blog. I post the news reports and I post my reactions to those reports, my thoughts and my memories. I'm not sitting on the fence on this and neither should my output. If you agree with me and find solace here, check back and keep in touch. If you don't agree with me and this blog just irritates the fire out of you.....I don't mean this rudely at all.....but you don't have to check back and keep in touch. Don't put more irritation into your life than you have already.
With such a passionate and intense subject matter as this, you would expect feelings and opinions to be expressed. Mine...and those commenting to mine and/or others. Yes, sometimes they are calm and sometimes they are more heated. But I don't find my posts or comments evil.
A few of my favorite quotes sum it up:
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing. ~Edmund Burke
He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done. ~Leonardo da Vinci
When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail. ~Pearl S. Buck
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. ~Albert Einstein
Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously. ~God
We just need to examine the evidence so we can properly (not superfically) once and for all determine in this case.
4 comments:
I have been very bothered by two comments I have heard or read from supporters of Matt who reside in Kerrville. I have not heard of Matt supporters in other places. Are there others? I am not being sarcastic. Back on track…..
First, the woman on the 48 Hours segment said that she couldn’t believe a man filled with the Holy Spirit could kill (I am paraphrasing). I don’t understand that kind of naiveté.
Next, I have read postings from people (or a person) in Kerrville who said that Kari’s daughters should remain with Matt because he is their only remaining parent. AND they should remain with him even if he did commit the crime; God would handle the punishment (again, my paraphrase).
I am sure that there is a great deal more evidence than what we have seen in the media and read in the affidavit. I also realize that matt and his attorney state that they also have evidence. However, what I have seen and read, along with all of Matt Baker’s lies and inconsistencies, have me convinced that he killed Kari. I have read the Eyes for Lies blog for a year. Eyes, as far as I know, has never been wrong in her criminal analysis. Eyes seems pretty convinced that Baker has been lying.
As citizens, we must push law enforcement and our legal system to give this case and others like it full and serious attention. To not bring this case to trial would be a gross miscarriage of justice. Yes, a civil case may be a first step but it should have been unnecessary. We must expect more of our criminal justice system. Keep pushing, citizens of McLennan County.
Jeff
What is the real difference between judgement and discernment?
I have asked myself this question before. For me, the answer is quite simple. When I place judgement on/about someone else,I am only acting out of my carnal,human nature. This is not pleasing to God.
However, discernment has nothing to do with human nature. It comes from the nature of God. The Bible speaks of discernment as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. One aspect of discernment(there are more) is to help us distinguish between good and evil spirits.
I hope we would all agree that both good and evil abide on this earth.
So,we must be careful not to confuse discernment for judgement.
God Bless!
I don't believe that judgment is based on our carnal, human nature. Nor do I believe that it's sinful to judge. I think that it's how we make our judgments and what we do with them, that determine their validity.
For example, if we were to "judge" another person based on trivial gossip or shallow, outward appearance, then we could easily mis-judge (which is both wrong and damaging). But if we judge based on careful observation and legitimate facts, then we are using wisdom and discernment.
As for what we do with our judgments; Should we hate and condemn another? No. We should seek resolution and restoration.
Obviously, when we apply this to someone who's committed murder, part of the restorative process involves the human penalty for sin.
Anyone who says he doesn't judge is a liar. This time let the judgment serve humanity. Put a killer away.
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