QT 15 Dec 14, Ruth 1:13b-14, Bitter events can be a good thing, if we see our need for God

Ruth 1:13b-14 (ESV) … No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me." 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

NOTE: Most people assume that Naomi is exceedingly bitter against God for what has occurred in her life, the death of her husband and her two sons, the famine in Israel, and probably the health of her two boys as they grew up. Later on, she even tells others to call her Mara, meaning bitter, "because the Lord has dealt bitterly with her." But rather than being bitter, I believe that Naomi recognized the bitter lessons as God's way of drawing her back to himself. "Bitter" was a good thing in Naomi's life, not because it was good or fun, but because it helped her to see what was most important in life. Far from being a bitter woman, I believe Naomi was a very special godly woman without a trace of bitterness in her life. The reaction of her daughter-in-laws makes my point. No one enjoys bitter people, nor do they want to remain near them. Certainly no one searching for a faith system would choose one that seemed to provide disaster to a person's life. But both Orpah and Ruth love Naomi deeply. Orpah did return home, but Ruth clung to Naomi. And later Ruth affirms that the God who has dealt bitterly with Naomi would be her God as well. Why? Because Ruth recognized that God gave Naomi a strength and a sense of purpose that was unlike anything she had ever seen. God gave Naomi hope in the midst of great pain, tragedy, disaster, and bitterness. She wanted what Naomi had. She wanted to be a Yahweh follower.

QT 11 Dec 14, 1 Thess 5:23, Saved, but also being saved

1 Thess 5:23 (ESV) Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTE: Paul's final words to the Thessalonians, who are eagerly awaiting Jesus' return (arguably at the rapture), focus on the sanctification process. We are saved by faith, but we are being saved by obedience. In the first case, we are saved from Hell (justified when we place our faith in Jesus). In the second case, we are being saved from our sinful flesh--a sort of hell for some people. This process requires the surrender of our bodies, the renewal of our mind, an involvement in community (Christian fellowship), and life purpose (the witness of our lives to those who don't know Jesus). Too many people focus on only one aspect of our salvation, the justification by faith. But equally important is the sanctification of our whole spirit and soul and body. We are to grow to be like Jesus, that is why God does not take us home immediately upon justification. We have a purpose and we have a job. To ignore this aspect is to ignore the great salvation that has been given to us. Lord wake us up so that we do not remain lazy Christians.

QT 10 Dec 14, Rapture is a physical salvation into an eternal future

1 Thess 4:15 (ESV) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

NOTE: There is a great debate on what this word wrath means--is it soteriological (salvation-oriented) or eschatological (future times-, tribulation-oriented)?. The Greek word is orge, pronounced or-gay' and Strong defines as "properly desire (as a reaching for or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion." It is used more than three times of God toward man in only 3 books: Romans, Revelation, and 1 Thessalonians. In Revelation, it is used exclusively during the period of Tribulation. In 1 Thess, the emphasis is on protection from a coming wrath, and in Romans, the word could be used either of the coming wrath of God against mankind or his wrath against sin as a reason for our need for salvation. Romans has the largest number of uses. So, it is not clear. But in this passage in 1 Thess, it is most likely eschatological since that is the root of the discussion, i.e. has the Lord returned or not, and what about people who have already died? So, Paul could be saying that people who died don't have to worry because they are justified by Jesus death as much as those who are alive (this is the soteriological answer). But that doesn't make sense, surely they knew that. The most likely explanation, is that they were confused about the rapture (what happens if you are dead), and how does that relate to the coming tribulation period when God's wrath is exercised against all of mankind who has refused to believe. In that sense (eschatologically), Paul is saying that we will not need to worry about going through the tribulation but will be saved (physically) from that time. Part of our problem is not realizing that the word salvation is used in both spiritual and physical explanations. Verses that discuss salvation by works are referring to the daily walk (also called sanctification) and how we are saved from our sinful flesh by obedience and good works--we become more like Christ. Salvation is also used in a spiritual sense as in our justification when we put our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation. There is no work involved, only faith. That salvation secures our eternity, our inheritance, and our standing with God (justification), and our future glorification (when we will be like him). The rapture saves us from physically going through the tribulation and brings about glorification (when we receive our new bodies and no longer have to fight against the sinful flesh). Praise God for our salvation--justification, sanctification, and glorification.

QT 9 Dec 14, Isa 30:8, It is good to wait on the Lord

Isa 30:18 (ESV) Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,

and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

blessed are all those who wait for him.

NOTE: Recently I was disappointed by not getting a job where I thought I had interviewed very well. It was a good test of faith. One, I had told God that I wanted his best and that if this was not the best place for me that he would close the door. So, the door is closed and I must believe that God has answered the prayer. Two, it is good to wait. No matter how often I have to learn that lesson, it is still good. Three, God is not holding something back from me. I may not be equipped for the job, but God is not holding back. He desires to be gracious to me. And so, I can be confident that there will be other opportunities or even, there are opportunities where I am right now to be a witness for his name's sake. I need to keep a proper perspective and rejoice in all things. Thanks Lord for all the things which you are teaching me.

QT 8 Dec 14, Rev 3:4, Our job is to be a witness, not a political gong

Rev 3:4 (ESV) Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

NOTE: Without going into a long discussion of why I believe in the historical prophetic view of the churches of Revelation (fits with purpose, theme, and outline of book), I see a very good application of this pre-1800 church age. This church age occurred during the protestant reformation, and while the reputation is one of being alive, it is no better than the previous church age, the dark ages and the Catholic church. The protestant reformation transferred the authority from Rome to the various governments of Europe. I'm sure that was not Luther's intent, but it was the result, and so it failed just as badly as the previous age. The good news is that there were people who did not soil their clothes in the church government issues, but focused on the life giving aspect of the gospel that was released with Luther's first steps. They would become the seed of the great age in church history, the Philadelphian time, when no door was closed, and the gospel spread throughout the world via the British empire domain. It wasn't the British empire, but it was people who gave up their lives to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. The spiritual parents and grandparents can from the Sardis age. They were not caught up in political pursuits but stuck to the simplicity of the gospel, salvation to all who trust by faith in Jesus' death for their sin. That is where I too need to focus. God will take care of the nations, but he has given me the job of sharing his message to people.

QT 4 Dec 14, Prov 15:32, We need help to see our blind spots

Prov 15:32 (ESV) Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

NOTE: As a culture, and maybe it is a little more than that--as fallen human beings--we rebel against reproof. We don't want to be told that what we are doing is wrong. Some of the reason is pride and arrogance. I think another reason is that we don't appreciate the value of correction. Or we think we are capable of correcting ourselves in time. And even more importantly, we don't realize that we have blind spots, things that are known by others but are unknown by ourselves. Our blind spots are worsened when people don't correct us, because we assume our actions are correct since no one says otherwise, and so our blind pots become hardened in us. We day, "they (the blind spots) are just who we are, and not something that needs correction." Which is why it is so important to listen to reproof and to tough love, so that the blind spots do not become hardened within us. But that requires a special friend who is willing to say hard things without worry of losing our love or friendship. For most people, the closest thing we have to that friendship is family. But there is one more approach to gaining reproof and understanding to blind spots, and that is to ask God. David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Ps 139:23-24, ESV)" Lord, I do pray, open my eyes to my faults and hidden sins.

QT 3 Dec 14, Isa 25:1-8a, There is a plan and it is there for us to learn

Isa 25:1-8 (ESV) O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name,

for you have done wonderful things,

 plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

2 For you have made the city a heap,

the fortified city a ruin;

the foreigners' palace is a city no more;

it will never be rebuilt.

3  Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;

cities of ruthless nations will fear you.

4  For you have been a stronghold to the poor,

a stronghold to the needy in his distress,

 a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;

 for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,

5  like heat in a dry place.

You subdue the noise of the foreigners;

as heat by the shade of a cloud,

so the song of the ruthless is put down.

6  On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples

a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,

 of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

7 And he will swallow up on this mountain

the covering that is cast over all peoples,

 the veil that is spread over all nations.

8  He will swallow up death forever;

NOTE: There is a plan, and it has been formed of old. It is faithful and sure. So, if there is a plan, why does it have to take so long? Why does it seem so chaotic? Why does it allow evil to reign? Because we believe that God has made the plan, we also know that the plan has purpose. It is not chaotic, slow, or evil. It has a purpose and it is to make abundantly clear that God's ways are much better than anything man can devised. For all of our supposed intelligence, new ideas, and solutions, our world does not get better where it matters most. We don't treat people with respect and dignity. We don't love. We don't worship the creator (which is very important if in fact we are created--which I believe--how we are created is debatable). And so our culture crumbles as relative truth reigns and fails to give us the future we hope to see. We consistently make excuses for the failures, suggesting more and more things are needed. Someday (although it has happened in other nations), the world leader will make the argument that the problem is religion, specifically Jews and Christians that are holding back progress. And the only way to achieve our "dream" is to eliminate these subversive elements. It will happen. Revelation tells us that it will happen. Revelation promises death to tribulation saints, but with the certainty of a much better eternal reward. There is a plan and it is designed to teach the world. Are we learning or are we also ignoring what God is teaching?

QT 3 Dec 14, Eph 5:18-21, Filled with the Spirit by Taking in the Word of God

Eph 5:18-21 (ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20  giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21  submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

NOTE: Merriam-Webster describes debauchery as extreme indulgence in sensuality (for the first definition). It has also been used (now archaic) as seduction from virtue or duty. Still another definition (vocabulary.com) is overindulging in life's pleasures. So, we have a comparison being made between overindulging in alcohol and being filled with the spirit. Therefore, we can view the first as follows: if you are going to overdo something, overindulge in the Holy Spirit, not in that which feeds your flesh. So, how do we overindulge in the Spirit? How do we allow the Spirit to fill us when it is already in us? I think it means two things. One, it means to give God control over more areas of our life. To put him on the throne in regards to all the various areas of our life that we try to control. Second, it means to dig into the word of God more. There is a striking parallelism between this passage and Col 3:16 (RSV) "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." The two sections are almost identical with the difference of "letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly" substituted for" be filled with the Spirit." This leads me (and others) to believe that digging deeper into God's word (which will bring up areas of your life that God needs to rule) is the same as being filled with the Spirit.

QT 1 Dec 14, Ps 74:1, 7-8 Today is a great day to live for Christ

Ps 74:1, 7-8 (ESV) O God, why do you cast us off forever?

Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?

. . .

7 They set your sanctuary on fire;

they profaned the dwelling place of your name,

bringing it down to the ground.

8 They said to themselves, "We will utterly subdue them";

they burned all the meeting places of God in the land.

NOTE: It does seem at times that the enemy is winning. Of course, that ignores two major truths, one, he already lost at the cross, and two, the major reason for the tribulation is for God's wrath to be revealed against his enemies. So, the enemy has not won nor will he win. The Psalms capture the heart and emotion of the psalmist. As such they are not to be mistaken with didactic instruction. They are perfectly true, in as much as they fully convey the emotions of the believer. But one must be careful in drawing doctrine from the pages. We can see that it is entirely normal to feel discouraged by events of the time or cultural demise. It is happening now and it is sad. But not really because I would like it to be different so I can live life in the culture I prefer, but it is sad because it blinds those who most need something different. And so it can be a good thing if we live our lives in such a way that the gospel is seen through it. We can have hope; we can do the right thing, the more thing; we can love others; we can serve others; we can display the righteousness and love of Christ to a dying world--AND people will see it because the contrast is unmistakable.

QT 29 Nov 14, Lev 19:17-18, Love as Jesus loved

Lev 19:17-18 (ESV) "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

NOTE: Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." Yet, we see that this is an old commandment from the OT. What is Jesus saying? The new commandment is the spin added in Jesus' second phrase "just as I have loved you." How has Jesus loved us? He sacrificed his very life for us. So the new commandment is to practice sacrificial love for each other. Jesus' statement is in the context of fellow believers "by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." But love is also to be extended to our neighbor. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus expands the OT definition of loving our neighbors to include our enemies as well, and to pray for them. Love is a characteristic of the Christian life and to not show love brings disgrace on the family name, as many shamefully do today. We should be the most gracious and kind persons on the earth--not afraid to stand up for sin and not afraid to love the unlovely. We people scorn us, we need to pray for them. We don't return eye for eye, but we return love for ugliness. God, help me to see where I subtly take vengeance on others with cutting words or feigned empathy. I want to live the life of love that you lived as an example for me.

QT 28 Nov 14, 3 Jn 1-4, The greatest joy is not health or a good life, but to walk in truth

3 John 1-4 (ESV) The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

NOTE: Sometimes I get annoyed by prayers that focus on sickness and health. I know that is not right; and I never express my annoyance (at least that I am aware). But in this passage, John is saying that he prays for the two things that I usually don't see as important, and two other things that I consider of paramount importance. John prays that things would go well for Gaius and that Gaius health would be good. That is a little like praying, "Bless Gaius." They are not very specific, and it could be that John's prayers are much more specific--it is just that in this short letter he does not go into detail and instead summarizes two areas of prayer for Gaius. So, one could hardly make a principle on the basis of a short note. The two other areas, also written generally and possibly prayed more specifically are that things go well for Gaius' soul and (inferred) that Gaius walks in truth. And John does state that he has not greater joy than to hear that his spiritual children walk in truth. Health and things going well are nice, but the greatest joy is walking in truth. That is my prayer for my children (spiritual and physical). I just don't want life to go nice, although that can be good. My greater joy is to hear that my children walk in truth. There is no greater joy.

QT 26 Nov 14, Ecc 9:10, Work hard!

Eccl 9:8 (ESV) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,  for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

NOTE: This is wisdom under the sun. It is good and useful but also ignores wisdom from above the sun. The NT provides the fuller meaning in Colossians 3:23,24 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward." The NT is fuller because it seems to take in the spiritual side of work for the Lord as well, since it promises a future reward as part of our promised inheritance. But both verses point out the key principle -- work hard and do a good job. This is such a key concept to life. In Prov 22:29 is a verse I've seen played out many times in my own life, "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." Good work has a reward, it is noticed. In this day of distractions, this truth is even more important. We must be careful to not grow lazy through all the distractions, but do a good job at work. Not only because we will be noticed at work, but more importantly because we are really serving the Lord.

QT 25 Nov 14, Lk 4:27, What is the plan?

Luke 4:27 (ESV) And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."

NOTE: Jesus is back home speaking in the synagogue and responding to the theoretical question of why he does not heal more people in his hometown. Interestingly, he chooses to bring up one of the Messianic miracles, the healing of leprosy. Since the giving of the law and the instructions in it concerning leprosy, no person in Israel is ever recorded as having been healed of leprosy. Miriam's healing was prior to the law, and Naaman wasn't even an Israelite, so he was not required to follow the dictates of the law (report to a priest, etc). I believe Jesus has already healed the ten lepers, a fulfillment of one of the three Messianic miracles. And he specifically brings up leprosy in his discussion at his hometown. I doubt any of them had leprosy or they wouldn't be in the synagogue, but the focus on one of the signs of his status as the Messiah is hard to ignore. Ultimately, it is these words which upset the crowd, to the point that they try to stone their hometown son. But they don't or rather they can't, because God has a greater plan for His Son.

What is God's plan for me? Do I see his hand in my life or do I think I control my destiny? And should I be bolder with my words, like Jesus?

QT 20 Nov 14, Eph 4:20-24, Sanctification requires renewal of the mind

20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

http://bible.us/1/eph4.20,21,22,23,24.esv

From <http://bible.us/1/eph4.20,21,22,23,24.esv>

NOTE: Studying Romans has really opened up the rest of bible to me. I see Paul's same line of thought here but more fully explained in Romans. In Rom 6-8, Paul talks about the sanctification process and in particular the battle between our flesh and our new mind. This battle requires actions (works) on our part. It means a change in behavior. We need to STOP doing certain things which feed the flesh and START doing certain things that feed the spirit of our mind. To renew our mind means to think differently. That means as much exposure as possible in truth. Reading the word, listening to godly men, studying the bible, and memorizing it are important steps to a renewed mind. Rom 12-15 suggests surrender, mind renewal, community involvement, and purpose as the keys. So the first step is surrender which includes repentance. We need to repent of the deeds of the flesh and re-commit ourselves to the process of renewing our minds. Lord sanctify me. I want to be more like my savior in my life and actions.

QT 19 Nov 14, Tit 3:9-11, Warn the divisive twice, then avoid

Titus 3:9-11 (ESV) But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

NOTE: So this passage gives further details on how to handle disruptive brothers. In this case, the issue is not sin, but rather an argumentative spirit. The required actions are short, warn once, then twice, then break communication. Paul calls the person sinful although the actions are in a grey area, "being disagreeable." On the other side of the coin is the encouragement to be a person who does not divide but rather unifies. Many people will have different views regarding certain passages of scripture. It is possible to share a view that is contrarian without attacking the person. The key is to 1) keep the focus on scripture, 2) avoid naming groups or opposing persons, 3) do not use inflammatory language in describing the opposing view if a description is required, and 4) admit that you do not know everything and could be wrong in your analysis of the passage. I think if we all were more careful in our discussions, they would be more fruitful and less likely to divide.

QT 18 Nov 2014, Phil 2:12-13, Salvation by Sanctification

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

http://bible.us/1/php2.12,13.esv

NOTE: The "working out" of our salvation is not a salvation by works but the sanctification part of our salvation obtained by faith, faith alone. Why is it called salvation? Because we are being saved from our flesh through the renewal and transformation of our mind. We are being saved from the old nature. That is the battle that Paul describes in Romans 7 where we do what we don't want to do. To make progress in this battle, Paul encourages us in four areas (Rom 12-16). 1) We need to surrender our lives and our selfishness. 2) We need to transform our mind but changing the input and feeding the word of God into our life. 3) We need to involve ourselves in a community of believers, a body. And 4) we need purpose in our lives which is found in taking the gospel message to the unbelieving world. If we do these things, we will, from degree of glory to another, change to become more like Jesus Christ. And so we will not only have eternal salvation by our new position in Christ achieved through justification by faith, but we will also achieve salvation from our fleshly sinful bodies that are corrupted by sin. We will become more and more useful to the kingdom, and we will be able to accomplish the good works which God has prepared for us.

QT 17 Nov 14, Rom 16:17-20, The danger of no application

Rom 16:17-20 (ESV) I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

NOTE: After greeting many of the people he knew in the church, Paul seems to step and to add a thought he did not originally address. It is a warning about brothers who cause divisions and create obstacles. They are not serving God but rather themselves or as Paul, say their own appetites. It may be power or control or a sense of self-importance, but they are more interested in what they get out of a situation. These people call themselves believers and they may even be believers, but they have allowed the flesh to control their thinking. Knowledge can be very good, but it can also corrupt when it is not applied. Application prevents us from abusing knowledge. We are called (in Romans) to transform or renew our minds. That will help us in the battle described in Romans 7 against the flesh. But to transform our mind requires more than just study of the word of God, we have to use it--apply it. Otherwise, we will have knowledge and we will be like the believer Paul warns against in this verse. James say a similar thing, "but be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

QT 13 Nov 14, Rom 14:20-22a, Put the weaker brother first

Rom 14:20-22a (ESV) Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21  It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.  22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.

NOTE: The work of God is another person's faith. There are no longer clean or unclean foods. But some believers may not think so. If that is the case, then I need to abstain from what another regards as sin. For the most part I think that would mainly apply to hard drink, and possibly wine and beer in our day and age. Clearly, excess is sin in anything, and drunkenness is likewise sin. The passage is not addressing those issues but rather whether one can taste these "foods" at all. They are clean, but if another's faith would be hurt by seeing us indulge, then we need to avoid these "foods" for the sake of our weaker brother. I do believe there is a distinction between "weaker" brother and a mature brother who teaches that we must abstain from certain foods. In this case, the mature brother is a false teacher and must be rebuked and instructed in correct theology. But ultimately, our concern should be for the weaker brother, who is a work of God, and someone our actions could destroy if we are not careful.

QT 11 Nov 14, Rom 14:1-4, There are limited things for which we can judge others

Rom 14:1-4 (ESV) As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2  One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

NOTE: So this issue of judging is very nuanced. We are not to judge unbelievers for their behavior, that job is God's. We are not to judge those weak in the faith (called young believers) for their convictions. And in general, items of convictions are, for the most part, off limits (I will get back to this). But we are to judge believers for outright sin. There is a process. We are to confront them privately first. If they don't listen, we bring another. And if they still don't listen, the matter is turned over to the church. To me, these issues are blatant issues of sin, such as, sexual immorality, theft, a pattern of lying, and other licentious behavior (although, it might be wise to discuss first with an elder or leader). We can confront a person concerning convictions if they start to teach others that their conviction is required by God. In which case, they are now a false teacher and must be confronted about their false teaching. They don't have to change their conviction but they must agree that it is wrong to teach others that it is a biblical requirement. If they refuse, then they cannot teach in the body. Unfortunately, our problem is that we want to judge everyone whose lifestyles and beliefs do not agree with ours. We are only to judge believers, and even there, that requires special handling (should be overt and patterned, not incidental or a one-time thing) and requires much prayer.

QT 30 Sep 14, Rom 5:1-5, Justification by faith as a gift changes everything!

Rom 5:1-5 (ESV) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

NOTE: So because we are justified by faith as a gift and not as a result of works, we have peace. And, our peace is true peace since our standing, our justification, is based on a gift and not on our performance. It was given to us and it will not be taken away from us, because it was given to us unconditionally. Therefore we have tremendous peace. The need to maintain our position is not a need at all. So, we can even face suffering with a confidence assurance. Why? Because under the OT law, suffering could be an indication of failure to abide by the law. Under grace, suffering comes about for many reasons, but every reason has purpose, as Rom 8:28 will later make clear. Justification by faith as a gift changes everything!