Following Christ In The New Year: 2.A Non Judgmental Life - Zac Poonen
Summary
The central message is that true Christian life requires constant dependence on the Holy Spirit and a focus on genuine fellowship with God, which is tested daily. The speaker emphasizes that God examines our heart's attitude toward Him, more so than our outward appearance, and this is best demonstrated by how we treat others. Ultimately, believers must live before God's face, loving the truth about themselves, rather than being swayed by human praise or criticism.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God is a God who examines our heartGod tests the righteous and examines our heart's attitude toward Him, not looking at outward appearance like humans do.Jeremiah 12:3
Loving God and loving our brotherIf we claim to love God but do not love our brother, we are deceived and are simply liars.
Receiving others as Christ received usIt is easy to love a perfect God, but God examines our heart to see if we can receive imperfect people just as Christ received us.
The need for discipline in our Christian lifeMany believers never become holy because they lack discipline in how they use their time, handle money, and control their bodily habits.
What shall I do to inherit eternal life?When a lawyer quoted the commandments to love God and neighbor, he wanted to justify himself and asked who his neighbor was.Luke 10:25–29
The sin of doing nothingThe priest and the levite passed by the beaten man on the other side, demonstrating the self-righteous sin of doing nothing.
The compassionate samaritanA despised samaritan showed true mercy by bandaging the wounded man's wounds, proving who acted as a true neighbor.
Being a witness first in our own homeOur christianity must work first in our homes with our spouses, children, and servants before we try to give it out to others.
Treating the church like a home, not a restaurantMany people treat the local church like a restaurant where they consume spiritual food without taking responsibility, but we are called to be a family.
Guarding against the attitude of the elder sonWe must examine ourselves to ensure we do not harbor the self-righteous, critical attitude of the prodigal son's elder brother toward others.
The rich man and poor LazarusThe rich man ignored the poor beggar at his gate and ended up in eternity facing judgment, highlighting the danger of despising the lowly.
Legalism is worse than adulteryThe legalistic pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to stone her, but Jesus showed mercy while telling her not to sin anymore.
God did not send us to be judgesJesus said He did not judge anyone, and we must repent of the foolishness of appointing ourselves as judges of other believers.
