The Same Shall Judge

But the word of the Lord endureth forever.  

1 Peter 1:25

It will endure forever.

We must resolve ourselves to this and not allow our emotions, our pride, or our distorted perceptions of ourselves stand in the way of the TRUTH -

If it is in the Bible, it is true.

If it is on page 2 of the Bible, it is true.

If it is on page 687 of the Bible, it is true.

If it is on page 1407 of the Bible, it is true.

If I don’t understand it, the Bible is still true.

If I don’t like what the Bible says, it is still true.

If God’s Word  points out a fault within me, His Word is right.

If I don’t like the fault, His Word is right.

If I refuse to accept that I have a fault, the Word is still right.

If society says it is right, but the Bible says it is wrong, then society is wrong.

If the Word of God contradicts what I believe to be true, the Word of God is right… and I am wrong.

If the Word of God wounds me by its Truth, then wounded, I must acknowledge that the Word is true.

 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

Are we shaped by the Word of God or by the word of man?  How many of us believe certain things about ourselves and others based on what society tells us? How many of us believe that we think for ourselves, but in reality we really believe the trends of the current generation in which we live?  If we had lived 100 years ago, many would have accepted those trends just as easily.  No matter the time period, we are being conformed to accept who society tells us to accept, and we are being conformed to reject who society tells us to reject.  

If the song says it’s okay to call females derogatory names, I guess it is okay.  If the professor says there is no God, well I guess there is no God.  If psychologists tell us that we can’t control these violent tendencies we have, well I guess we can’t.  If society says there is no such thing as sin, well I guess I’ll never need to repent.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:2

If we were to examine closely the man-fostered beliefs of each generation before us, we would see that man changes.  What would have been deemed wrong a generation or two ago is now “right” - according to our current evolving society (generation).  Are we to assume this generation is more correct in their views than perhaps the generations of the past?  We cannot measure truth simply by comparing it to a previous generation.  Usually, the current generation will applaud their advancement in “truth”  and condemn the “erroneous” practices of the past generations.

How do I measure right and wrong in my life?  Which actions are acceptable?  Which thoughts are wrong?  Who is my standard bearer?  If it is society, which society, then?  American society?  Or should we allow current tribes that practice cannibalism be our standard bearer for right and wrong?  Or should we revert to the Nazi German society?

The Nazi's View of "Right"

The Islamic State's View of "Right"

The Supreme Court's View of "Right"

The Supreme Court's View of "Right"

Who is my standard?

Standard:  a rule or principle that is used as a basis for judgment

Do I follow this man or that man?  This type of confusion can lead one to insanity.  Society is like

water. It is unstable. It is fluid, ever moving and ever changing. There is no solid ground. Society’s "standard" for right and wrong is not constant. Thus, there really is no standard in a society. So-called norms change at the whim of man. I can’t put my faith in man.

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25

No man can effectively dictate what is right and what is wrong using only his understanding.  

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19

Even when that unstable water of society's "truths" attempts to confuse us, there is a Standard that never flinches and never backs down. He who was, and is, and is to come IS the Standard.  God has never changed.  

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Jesus said that those who believe in Him  (in word and in deed) will have everlasting life. John 3:16

John 3:18 -- Those who do not believe are already condemned.  

You see, I can’t condemn anyone, nor do I have any desire to condemn others.  But those who are In Christ are to warn others in order to prevent others from being condemned.  All of us will be judged by the Word.  -The same Word that will endure forever.-

John 12:48  - He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

We cannot say we believe in Jesus and at the same time turn from the very Words He spoke.  He cannot be separated from the Word of God, for Jesus is the Word made flesh. The Bible tells us this:

John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

His Word has not and will not change.   

I do not follow Jesus in order to change Him; I follow Him so that He can change me.

 John 14: 15

1 Corinthians 8:3

1 Corinthians 16:22

His Word transforms those who follow Him.  If we say we follow Him, yet our thoughts and actions are not actively being transformed by Him, then it is not Christ we follow.  We have veered off of the path somewhere along the way and started following a counterfeit  jesus -  a false jesus created by society, or perhaps we were never really on the path.  

Corruption has existed throughout the ages. Every society has offered some element of that which is abominable, corrupt, & detestable, and sold it as “right”.   We cannot afford to be controlled by the machine known as “Society”.  

What is able to save our souls?  The engrafted WORD of God

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  James 1:21

If you read the Word of God, you will see that it has the power to heal your brokenness.  It has power to transform your mind and any thoughts you have that are in opposition to the Lord.  The Word is a balm to a broken heart.  The Word can cradle you in its Truth.  

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1: 23

As one society rises with its self-designated truths, so will it fall in due time.  As the grass, societies wither and fall away.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 1 Peter 1:24

The Word of God will endure for ever.  It will endure.  Societies crash into destruction, but the Word of God will stand unchanging forevermore.  God is the only Standard of Truth.  He does not change with the passage of time or with each new generation.  I am thankful for His unchanging Word.  I can rely on Him.  All of us can rely on Him.  

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:25

A few nights ago at church,  I read a precious message on the whiteboard, “There is something better than medicine …. God.”  Those words had been written by a child.  The Lord calls us to lay down all customs and traditions of man and, instead, we are to come to Him as a child …. in humility and by faith.  

Look to Him as our Standard, and we, too, will endure forever.

Jehovah-nissi