James 4:12

"There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?"There is only one Lawgiver and Judge" -Far more is at stake than just respect for. law. Disrespect for the law, is disrespect towards God. "James goes on to remind us…that, since God is the source of all law, what is ultimately at stake in. 'permissive society' is respect for the authority of God himself" (Adamson p. 177).

Points To Note:

These verses contain so many lessons: 1. It isn't our job to "judge" the value of God's laws, rather it is simply our job to comply with them. Those who set themselves up as judges over the authenticity of the Bible or those who attempt to judge what is genuine and what is not in the biblical text need to read again the above verses. God condemns the person who breaks His laws, but God also condemns those who presume to make laws for Him. 2. This verse should also remind all believers that God didn't give us the right to be in the "creed" making business. 3. While civil legislators have the right to enact new laws (Romans 13:1 ff), they do not have the right to pass laws which interfere with the rights, privileges and obligations of children of God, and neither do they have the right to enacts laws which legalize or reward sinful behavior."the One who is able to save and to destroy"

Points To Note:

1. Notice that the God who saves, who extends mercy and forgiveness is the same God who gives laws. Law and mercy and not to be viewed as opposites. There is. tremendous amount of mercy and grace reflected in the laws which God has given. 2. In the end only God can condemn and only God can save. 3. There is. place of condemnation, God isn't going to save everyone (Matthew 7:13; 2 Peter 3:9). 4. Condemnation and salvation, punishment and grace are both consistent with the nature of God (Romans 11:22).. loving God will condemn,. loving God will allow the unrepentant to end up lost. 5. We need to remind ourselves that we can't consign anyone to hell, at the same time, we need to remind ourselves and others and neither can we give anyone an automatic ticket to heaven. "but who are you who judge your neighbor?"

Points To Note:

1. Again, we are talking about. judgment that doesn't come from pure motives. 2. We need to be very careful when we rebuke. brother or sister (2 Timothy 4:2). We are not all-knowing, we cannot see into their heart, we must be careful that we don't jump to conclusions, and presume the worst. Let us make sure that our information is correct, let us assume the best, unless clear evidence says otherwise, let also give the person. chance to explain themselves and time to change. 2. In addition, let us also remember that we have been guilty ourselves in the past and graciously forgiven, so remember to be humble. 3. The wisdom from above will rebuke sin and make judgments which Christians have been called upon to make (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 3:6). But at the same time this wisdom is very careful in not overstepping its bounds. Roberts notes, "Too often we suspect that people will do things or are guilty of them, and we say why they have done them, when we actually do not know and probably because we simply do not like them" (p. 173). When we starting becoming suspicious of every member, when we start enjoying and relishing the opportunity to rebuke someone, when we go out of our way to look for sins, and when we start suspecting everyone's motive for what they do and say, then we are operating by the wisdom that is from below.