on April 24, 2014
Luke 12:57-59 – “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
The people in the crowd are very capable of judging for themselves what to expect from the weather, but, why aren’t they aware that they now have an opportunity that they may never have again? Christ Jesus is right there with them! If they WOULD, they could receive the rights and privileges of the Kingdom of God! NOW is the acceptable time! NOW or NEVER! He will not be with them very long! Ecclesiastes 9:12, points out the folly and misery of those who do not know their time. The people of this generation did not recognize the time of God’s coming to them (Luke 19:44). But a WISE man will have a heart that discerns the time and will use that discernment to judge for himself what is right. Jesus chides them for not using their sensibility of conscience and reason to judge what is right. If only they would allow themselves the liberty to do that, they would soon arrive at the conclusion that all of Christ’s precepts and claims are absolutely right! There is nothing more equitable or worthy for us to submit to than the requirements and will of Christ Jesus.
The opinions and pressure of the religious parties presented a strong influence on these people in the crowd. Perhaps their families and friends did too. They needed to think and judge for themselves! They needed to hurry and make their peace with God while the opportunity remained and the door was still open, before it was too late! Matthew 5:25,26 gives this same warning! If we are in danger of being hauled into court by an adversary with whom we cannot contend, we’d think it pretty wise to try to settle out of court, before we lose every penny along with our public reputation. Wise people at a disadvantage will not let their disputes go to the point of endangering great loss of image or assets! When they know they cannot win, they use better judgment to settle matters quickly, before the ever get to the magistrate!
People should do the same thing when it comes to the matters of their souls! Our sin and unbelief has made God our adversary! We have provoked His displeasure against us, and He has both might and right on His side! There is no future in thinking that we can prevail against Him in court, nor can we defeat Him outside of court! Christ Jesus is the magistrate before whom we will all one day appear. If we stand before Him and insist that He is wrong and we are right, trying to justify ourselves, we will surely lose. The magistrate will hand us over to the officer, and we shall be thrown into hell to receive the just consequences of our sin and unbelief. Christ’s suffering was for a short time, yet it provides a full and sufficient atonement for the believer. Unbelieving sinners face a sorrowful judgment of endless duration.
Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? Would it not be well for you to recognize the opportunity you have right now to agree with God, repent of your sins and, take advantage of His gracious offer of salvation through faith in His Son Christ Jesus while we are still alive? Now is the accepted time! Today is the day of salvation! Now is the TIME to make peace with God! Don’t ruin the day of your opportunity! Don’t let family, friends, classmates, work associates, political parties or religions decide for you! Don’t let your emotions, hurts, disillusionments or disappointments decide for you! Why don’t you judge for YOURSELF what is right?
Thursday: Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
Friday: Pray for the families of the week: Ruth Doolittle, Adam Doud, Joan Doud, Jessica Doud.
Saturday: Recognize the time of God’s grace extended to you!
Sunday: Worship God and allow His kindness to lead you to repentance – NOW!
Monday: Settle your account with God right now, before it’s too late!
Tuesday: Read the Scriptures and decide for yourself if Jesus is who He claims to be and if His requirements are right.
Wednesday: Don’t ruin the day of your opportunity!
Prayer Challenge – Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. – Isaiah 1:16-20