Proverbs 17:15:
15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both an abomination [exceedingly disgusting and hateful] to the Lord.
In Biblical terms, to "justify the wicked" would mean calling an unbeliever righteous (in right standing with God). An unbeliever is NOT righteous and cannot be in the presence of God. This verse says that to say that they are is an abomination to God! "Abomination" is the Hebrew word, "tow`ebah", which means: something disgusting, an abhorrence. Equally abhorrent to the Lord is to "condemn", the Hebrew word, "rasha`", which means: to declare as wrong, to condemn as guilty, the "righteous", those who are in right-standing with God through the Blood of Jesus Christ. In other words, to judge and pass judgement on another believer is disgusting to the Lord. Remember that we are told "Judge not, that you be not judged"? (Matthew 7:1-2) So many times believers set themselves up as "fruit inspectors" when there is no such calling in the Body of Christ! We are called to love one another, pray for one another, encourage one another, support one another, but never to judge one another! Let's drop the stones and check out our own lives, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and make sure that we are being a blessing and a good example to each other! Then let's concentrate our greatest efforts in reaching the lost with the Good News! That will take up quite enough of our time and attention, don't you think?!
In Galatians 5 Paul is still upset with those who are continuing to pressure believers to follow the Law. Verses 4-6:
4If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing). 5For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit's [help], by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God [our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us] to hope. 6For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
In fact, Paul is so upset that some are insisting on circumcision, that he says this in verse 12:
12I wish those who unsettle and confuse you would [go all the way and] cut themselves off!
And that is exactly what he meant to say! Paraphrase: "If they think that circumcision will make them holy, then why not go all the way and cut the whole thing off"! Yikes! I'm glad we get the message that it is by faith in Jesus Christ alone that we are saved! AMEN!
In 2 Samuel 19-20 we see David returning after the death of Absalom. Here is an interesting passage in 2 Samuel 19:24-30:
24Mephibosheth the son [grandson] of Saul came down to meet the king, and had not dressed his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until he returned in peace and safety. 25And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, David said to him, Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth? 26He said, My lord O king, my servant [Ziba] deceived me; for I said, Saddle me the donkey that I may ride on it and go to the king, for your servant is lame [but he took the donkey and left without me]. 27He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But the king is as an angel of God; so do what is good in your eyes. 28For all of my father's house were but doomed to death before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I to cry any more to the king? 29The king said to him, Why speak any more of your affairs? I say, You and Ziba divide the land. 30Mephibosheth said to the king, Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has returned home in safety and peace.
So now who is REALLY telling the Truth? Do you know? Situations like this make me so very grateful to have the Spirit of God living on the inside of me! As a Spirit-filled believer, I have great confidence that I will be able to discern when someone is telling me the truth or not! He KNOWS and He will let US know when we ask in faith! He is our HELPER, after all! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
