Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from James 4:11-12.

 

“¹¹ Do not speak against one another, brethren.  He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law;  but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.  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?”  James 4:11-12.

 

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“For the Lord is our judge,
The Lord is our lawgiver,
The Lord is our king;
He will save us—”  Isaiah 33:22.

 

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:5

 

There may be different reasons why we want to speak against a brother and judge our neighbor. 

 

There may be pride.  We may secretly think:  “I can do a better job of judging than God.”  “God must miss seeing something, otherwise He would not allow this man to live and prosper!”

 

There may be jealousy and envy.

 

There may be the thought that we will look taller in comparison if we knock our brother down a few notches. 

 

But, there is only One Who saves.  There is only One Who casts into hell.  “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy …”  Verse 12.  

 

So, don’t rebel against God’s authority.  “Allow” God to judge.  “Do not speak against one another, brethren.”  Verse 11. 

 

“‘Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip;  For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.’”  Deuteronomy 32:35

 

“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.”  Romans 12:19

 

“For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.”  And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”  Hebrews 10:30