God as Judge

judge

One of the perfections of our God is that He is the judge of all the earth. If people are honest, nobody really likes to think of this characteristic of God. We prefer that of love and mercy and grace. And yet the fact that God is judge is one of the more strongly stressed characteristics of God in the Bible.

From start to finish, the fact that the God of the Bible is judge is seen throughout. Adam and Eve saw that God was judge when they sinned and were removed from the Garden in Gen. 3. The people of Noah's day saw this in the flood in Gen. 6-8. Sodom and Gomorrah saw this when the people were turned to ash in Gen. 18-19.

When God's people worshipped the golden calf, they experienced this fact of God and were judged in Ex. 32. Nadab and Abihu were judged for offering strange fire in Lev. 10. Achan saw this when he was a thief in Joshua 7. Even the nation of Israel saw this time and time again when they were unfaithful and God allowed them to fall under the rule of outside nations.

Before we think that this is an Old Testament thing, the New Testament is full of the same pictures of a God who judges. Matt. 21 shows God judging Israel for rejecting Christ. Ananias and Sapphira were judged for lying about their offering in Acts 5. Herod was judged by God in Acts 12 for his pride. Believers in Corinth were judged for their irreverence regarding the Lord's Supper.

Never mind passages such as James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:8; Acts 10:42; 17:41 and Romans 2:16. All reveal God as judge.

Here is the truth we must accept and thus motivate us to serve the Lord wholeheartedly and with great fidelity - God will bring every deed into judgement, including every thing hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Eccl. 11:9; 12:14) Even down to our very words spoken, see Matt. 12:36.

The entire New Testament is overshadowed by the certainty that one day God will return and judge the earth and its people for their sin. Jesus is the solution to this day. Jesus is the only way any person will be able to stand during this time of judgement that is coming. Jesus' work is sufficient for covering our sin and propitiating it during this time. Jesus' death satisfied God's wrath due our sin and His resurrection proves this, thus believers will not be separated from God and will spend eternity in heaven due the work of God thru Jesus and our faith therein. But judgement is coming still, this is no license to sin and live for ourselves.

Believers will be judged on how they stewarded God's grace and mercy in the gospel, see 1 Cor. 3:14-16. Build your life wisely on the gospel and with materials that last.

Mediate on Gen. 18:25 today - "will not the judge of the earth do what is right?" When it seems evil is winning, when it seems evil is prospering, when it seems God is doing nothing in regards to evil, when you are tempted to let your guard down and grow slack, to focus on worldly things instead of eternal things not yet seen, remember this verse. God will always, in His timing, do what is right, and one day everything will be judged.

Evil has been and will be dealt with, in God's timing. Right now, God is being patient, offering forgiveness and repentance thru the gospel, not desiring anyone to perish - see 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:4.

This is not a time of slacking, not a time of slumber and laziness, but of boldly sharing the gospel and of discipline and sanctification on the part of believers. God desires that sinners repent, as He is glorified in this, reconciling His creation back to Himself. That is the ministry He has graciously left to us, even now - see 2 Cor. 5:17-21. His patience is allowing this to happen thru the sharing of the gospel.

Make the most of these days, personally in our own sanctification, and in sharing the gospel with others, knowing one day God will return to judge the earth and its inhabitants. He will do what is right in His timing. Until then, be found patiently and expectantly waiting His return. May our lamps be full of oil when He returns. May He find His bride focused on His agenda for us when He returns, no matter how long it takes. May we rejoice in this day and fix our hope on this day, and may this shape our days even now. God will return and make everything right.

Make the most of these days, personally in our own sanctification, and in sharing the gospel with others, knowing one day God will return to judge the earth and its inhabitants.