City Harvest Church.

I’m not a member of the church but I like to humbly share my thoughts about the legal case against it.

1. The case is still in court. We should allow justice to take its natural course. (Rom 13: 1-7)

http://www.out-law.com/page-9742

2. We cannot pretend that we know all the information and are therefore in a position to play judge or worst, god and to make a fair and informed judgement. (Rom 12: 17-21)

3. If we passed a judgement, we have infringed natural justice. That would not make us any less guilty than convicted persons.

Please let audi alteram partem (the right to be heard) and nemo judex in parte sua (no person may judge their own case) apply in this case.

http://www.justice4you.org/natural%20_justice.php

4. We would have infringed a biblical commandment according to Mt 7:1-2:

‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ (NIV)

5. We are all part of the same body. We should weep with those who weep. (Rom 12:15)

If there is a time to show love and compassion, this is the time. (Mt 22:37-40; 1Cor 13: 1-13)

6. If one part of the body is hurt, it will hurt all of us. 1Cor 12:26)

If we cannot extend help, let’s not be an added burden. If we are not a solution, we are or can become a problem. (Gal 6:2)

7. Remember the maxim, When we point one finger at others, four fingers are pointing at ourselves.

When we throw mud at others, our hands will be dirty. If we spew poison at others, it will poison ourselves too.

If we step on others, don’t be surprised if someone follow our example and do the same to us.

Please don’t look at the chip in another person’s eyes and missed the plank in ours. (Mt 7:3-5)

8. Remember, none of us are perfect. We have committed our equal share of wrongdoings.

We are all but sinners forgiven by the love and grace of God. Who are we to judge others and withdraw love and grace from them? (1Pet 4:8)

If God does not judge us when we are alive, who are we to judge others?

What makes us so much better than others that we have the right to judge them? (Eph 2: 1-10)

9. If we are not prepared to examine ourselves closely and conduct vigorous research and detailed investigation about the other parties, we should not pass judgement on them.

10. When we pass judgements on others, we are also inviting others to pass judgements on us. It’s fair game.

Please live by the Golden Rule: Do to others what you expect others to do to you. (Mt 7: 12)

11. A magnanimous spirit that demonstrates the fruit of the spirit sees the good in others. He looks down only because he wants to lift others up so that they can live a much better life. (Gal 5: 22-23)

‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ (NIV)

12. Let those who believe and worship a sovereign God, pray. Let God be God and The Lord of all things within our lives and without (Col 3: 1-4; Prov 3:1-35).

The Bible counsels us to pray and not to gossip, grumble, gripe or grouse.

Psalm 101:5 ESV

Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Leviticus 19:16 ESV

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.

Romans 1:28-32 ESV

They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

1 Timothy 5:13-14 ESV

Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

It’s time to pray.

‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ (Eph 6:12 KJV)

Shalom!