John 3:18-20
18 Those who trust/believe/faith (these three words are used interchangeably from different versions) in him are not judged; those who do not trust have been judged already, in that they have not trusted in the one who is God’s only and unique Son.
19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.
Psalms 119:130
130 The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.
For the past twenty years (counting years before the ministry), Pastor Steve and I have dealt with people. God was training us for the ministry.
Even before the church, we took care of many people in many different ways and ministered to them while hoping that their lives improved. We hoped they live a blessed life. While helping, we also tried to guide them as we taught them the Word of God. Our only motive was to help better their lives.
But while helping and ministering, we also learned that there were two types of people. When their sin or darkness was exposed by the Word of God or through our teaching or guidance, they either humbly examined and repented or argued and fought with us to cover their weaknesses/darkness.
Those who failed to repent and see the darkness in them left us (before ministry) or left our church. Later, we heard everyone who left us or our church was not living a better life. Recently, a couple who cursed our ministry and left is in the process of divorcing. We heard the husband disappeared on his wife. I am not making stuff up, but this is God’s way of dealing with such people. But ultimately, they are the ones who brought the curse upon their lives.
Not just our church, but if anyone comes against any church/authorities/order of God, God will handle them personally, for they are not coming against people or people’s organizations but against the body of Christ, God Himself. Without realizing it, they become enemies of God.
Pastor Steve & I do not fight or argue with the people who come against us or curse us. We let them be if they do not want to change. For God is the judge not us. He handles His people after all.
Hebrews 10:30-31
30 For the One we know is the One who said,
“Vengeance is my responsibility I will repay,”
and then said, “Adonai will judge his people.”
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!”
God did not come to judge or condemn us or the world. He came to save us. But the way or the process is not what people expect or want. Therefore, people end up coming against God or fighting with His appointed authorities.
God’s teaching or Word(Light) will touch your most sensitive, sin, weakest, and wounded areas where you will feel hurt. But face it, embrace it, and let the Light shine on those areas. Let such areas be exposed and be healed.
Trust the process, trust His way of approaching you, trust His way of healing you, and trust the people whom God has put over you. Otherwise, the only thing that is waiting will be judgment.
God has to judge sin; He will judge sin without fail, but if you do not get rid of sin/darkness and if you do not detach yourself from it, God has to judge you with sin together. But God’s intention is to judge sin, not you. His intention is to save and rescue you from it.
But the choice is yours. You need to make the choice. This choice requires you to become humble.
Psalms 119:130 says even the simple can understand the teaching of God’s word/light. Everyone understands, and everyone knows what God wants from them. No one will have an excuse when they stand before God and face Him.
Pastor Yoojin Kim