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Jesus – Healing Light or Ruling Judge?

Jesus – Healing Light or Ruling Judge?

The more and more we look to Jesus, the clearer our understanding of reality becomes. Jesus is the light of the world; He illuminates God’s kingdom, God’s reality, and exposes the falsity of sin and the ways of this sinful world.

Over and over again, Jesus reveals that God is Creator and that His laws are design laws – truth, love, liberty – and that reality operates upon them. Over and over again, Jesus reveals that God’s kingdom is not imperial, not penal, not legal – that judicial oversight, rule enforcement, is the method of this fallen world.

The world seems consumed today with social justice, with rights, with getting what one believes they are legally entitled to, but always through imposing some new law, some new rule, on others. Jesus was focused on truth, on reality, on freeing people from selfishness and restoring in them God’s living law of love, on healing hearts and minds, and not on making legal rulings.

Going back two thousand years, we find the case of a man who petitioned Jesus to make a legal ruling to help him seek justice in regard to his brother, whom he believed had wronged him. We find the story in Luke 12:

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (vv. 13–21 NIV84).

Take a moment to reflect on this story. Ask yourself, What is revealed? Where was the man focused? What did Jesus make the focus?

What type of law determines property inheritance? Why did Jesus not give a legal ruling, acting as a judge or magistrate?

The laws and rules that govern property inheritance are imposed, made-up, the kind of laws sinful humans make. God’s laws do not function this way. It is Satan’s lie that God’s kingdom operates this way, and sadly, far too many Christians agree with Satan and, thus, they seek out a legal authority, a judge, to make a ruling in their favor.

But Jesus denied that He was their judge. Why? Because God’s kingdom doesn’t operate on made-up rules like human governments do.

Jesus didn’t come to the earth to take up a legal issue, and He uses this encounter to again expose the difference between God’s kingdom and the kingdoms of this world. The man wanted a legal ruling, but Jesus said that a legal ruling wasn’t what he needed nor what Jesus had come to do.

What was needed? A change to the actual condition of the man’s heart. These two brothers cared more for property than they did for one another. Jesus wanted to restore love into their hearts, to bring them out of this world’s kingdom that seeks to get for self and into the kingdom of God, which seeks to give to others. He made it plain that it doesn’t matter how much earthly wealth one accumulates, if the heart is not healed then all is lost.

This sinful world focuses on self – our rights, our privileges, our inheritance. We want a ruling by someone in authority – a judge, an umpire, a referee, a magistrate, a pastor, a priest, or perhaps a pope. We want someone to make a ruling, tell us the answer, to decide in our favor. But Jesus said He was here to change hearts, not act as judge. He said:

“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it” (John 12:47–49 NIV84).

There is a judge, and it is not Jesus. Rather, the judge is “that very word,” the truth, reality itself. Sheep are sheep, and goats are goats; wheat is wheat, and weeds are weeds. A judge doesn’t make a sheep a sheep or a goat a goat; they are what they are. Reality is the judge. Those who reject the words of Jesus – the truth – retain lies about God; they refuse to trust Him and, therefore, they harden themselves in selfishness and fear. They solidify themselves into evil people who hate love, truth, and freedom.

But those who love the truth that Jesus reveals reject the lies of Satan and are won back to trust in God; they open their hearts and experience the indwelling Spirit and have God’s design protocol for life – His living law – written upon their hearts and minds (Hebrews 8:10). They are transformed and healed.

Too many people today are jealous of another’s possession, envious of someone else’s achievements, covetous of some other’s station, and they want someone in authority to pass laws to ensure they get what they think is their fair share.

But we must be careful that we are not like this jealous and selfish brother. We don’t want to hear Jesus say to us, “You fool!” We don’t want to be tricked by Satan, tempted by fear and selfishness, into exchanging the riches of God’s kingdom – which is a heart that loves, one that is true, one that respects the individuality and freedoms of others, one that values what God values – for the meager baubles of this world.

Yes – Jesus again reveals the beautiful truth of God’s kingdom of love! So look to Jesus. Fix your eyes upon Him. See Him as Creator, the full revelation of God and God’s kingdom. Understand and embrace His design laws into your heart. Make Him your greatest desire, and the things of this world will lose their power over you – and you will find real peace no matter what the world throws your way.


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Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana