Day 45 One Judge

Thursday September 6

“Don’t flick your BIC!”

“”Lord this isn’t funny. That’s the third morning in a row you’ve said this. What do you mean?”, Debbie asked.

The still small voice repeated, “Don’t flick your BIC!”

“ I know, I know, I got that part – but what does that mean?”

Silence. Tucking the phrase into the back pocket of her consciousness, Debbie went to wake her kids up and begin the day.

Later that afternoon, she had finished tidying the house and the kids were still at school so she decided to grab a few moments of time in the Word before the after school chaos began.

She opened her Bible and her eyes fell on Isaiah 50.

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. Isaiah 50:10-11

“Don’t flick your BIC!” the Holy Spirit whispered.

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him. 1 John 2:9-11

Spiritual vigilantism is an epidemic in the church today. A vigilante is someone who does not have faith in the justice system so he takes the law into his own hands.

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12

When we choose to hold onto our hurts or walk in unforgiveness, we are lighting our own fires. When we choose to expose the sin of another person or give ourselves the right to slander someone, we are not having faith in God’s justice and taking the law into our own hands. When we allow the sun to go down on our anger or offense to separate us from a brother, we are providing ourselves with flaming torches.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Jesus was perfect yet he was rejected and despised. He had all power of heaven and earth, yet He chose to humble himself and not react or retaliate when He was mistreated.

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly .1 Peter 2:23

The secret to Jesus ability to humble himself when mistreated was his knowledge that God alone has the big picture of justice across time and eternity. And so it is for us, as followers of Him. Our safety is not trusting in our own human wisdom but in the God who is just. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong to want to see justice or vindication; it’s just wrong to take it into our own hands.

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

When we entrust ourselves to God and embrace the suffering of Christ, we open a door for God’s divine justice. And for the comfort of the Lord to soothe our wounds and pain.

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:5

Thank God we don’t have to struggle alone in our wounds – we have a faithful and merciful high priest, Jesus, the man of sorrows, who understands intimately every hurt (Hebrews 2:10-18; Isaiah 53:3). And He has provided healing for us, as we trust in the redemptive work of the Cross.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19

In the kingdom of God there is only One Ruler and One Judge. To see His Kingdom come on this earth, in a new measure through the church, we need to be willing to lay down our spiritual vigilantism and commit ourselves to our Faithful and Just Creator.

Let’s pray this prayer together: Lord I come to you now and I ask you to flood my heart with Your light of truth. Expose to me God areas in my life where I am acting like a spiritual vigilante, defending my rights and protecting myself against injustice. Father forgive me for my pride in exalting myself as Judge over my own life and the lives of others. Lord I want to bring every area of my life in submission to You. And I thank You that You are being established not only as Ruler but as the One True Judge and Lawgiver in the body of Christ in my family, my church, my city, my province and my nation. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

For further meditation: Luke 6:27-36, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 53:3-4