Category: Judgment
Subject: Judgment
Universal Judgment
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
A concise verse, establishing several important truths:
- Judgment is universal. It says “we must all appear before the judgment seat. The word “all” is inclusive. No one will escape judgment.
- Christ is the judge. We are thankful that the one who “died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34) is the one who judges us.
- We will receive at judgment exactly what we deserve. “whether good or bad.”
- The judgment has a standard by which we will be judged. “The things done in the body.”
Finally, Paul writes of the consequence of these truths found in this verse. Our purpose should be His. We should make it our aim “to be well pleasing to him” (9). It makes no sense to offend the one who is our judge. Our primary purpose in life it to please Him. Because we know the “terror of the Lord” we do as He desires. His desire is that we persuade men, cf. Mark 16:15; Romans 1:15.
Seek to please Him in your life. It matters!
The Consequence of Sin
The prophet Obadiah declared the coming of judgment against Edom because of her sins against “your brother Jacob.” Edom thought herself safe. “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?”’ (3). But, this judgment was inexorable, “‘From there I will bring you down,’ says the Lord” (4).
Why was Edom guilty? Notice the following phrases used in the text. “But you should not have” (12); “Nor should you have” (12); “You should not have” (13); etc., etc., etc.
These phrases indicate the concept of consequence. You should not have… because this is the result! A result they did not desire, and would not appreciate. As Obadiah wrote, “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head” (15).
In conclusion, Obadiah wrote, “Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (21).
There is much to be learned here. God’s will is inexorable. What He desires to occur on earth will happen. God’s people will be blessed, and the ungodly will suffer the consequences (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10). Sin always has unpleasant ramifications. From Adam to eternity, God has and will deal with the transgressions of men. To avoid judgment, we “should not” sin against God.
Sermon: Have a Good Day on the Last Day
On the last day, the universe will come to an end, and all will be resurrected to stand in judgment. For you, the day can be a good one, or one filled with sorrow. Which do you choose?
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The Whirlwind of the Lord
As I write this, a storm has just passed through our little town. As the storm continues through the metroplex, other towns and cities are in danger. The storm has strong wind, heavy rain and lightning. The town emergency siren was activated, and a tornado was spotted above the town, though it seems it did not touch down. The schools all had their children in the hallways, to protect them from the potential of the storm.
The danger brought to mind the descriptions given of God’s judgment in the Old Testament. For example, in Jeremiah 30:23-24 as God promised the restoration of His people, He described the judgment that would come to His enemies. “Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goes forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind; it will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the Lord will not return until He has done it, and until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will consider it.”
Like a tornado, when God’s wrath is visited upon the wicked, nothing can be done to withstand it. Destruction is inevitable because of the power of His purpose. Until He determines to finish, danger will remain.
It is for this reason that we seek to please Him. As Jesus told His disciples, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
Our God brings the whirlwind to the wicked, but tranquility to the just. We would do well to consider this truth.
Why God? Why?
In the 10th Psalm, the writer asks a question that many of us can relate to: “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (1). His question is raised because of the wickedness in the world, and because wicked men “are always prospering” (5).
This does seem to be the case, doesn’t it? The wicked seem to have their way in the world, and the righteous are often oppressed by their duplicitous and evil ways. Take time to read the Psalm. The descriptions of the wicked man will seem familiar to you, and are well summarized by the following observations: “He has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see’” (11); and, “Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, ‘You will not require an account’” (13).
Of course, this is not true. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). The thing is, ultimately all scores are settled in judgment. While for a time the wicked may have their way, in the end the righteous will rise up victorious. This is God’s promise to us. “Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
The Psalmist knew this… “But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand.” (14)
Sermon: Jeremiah’s Lament
The book of Jeremiah clearly expresses the anguish of the prophet as he sought to warn a rebellious nation of the coming consequences of their sin.
Subjective Commendation
“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).
Why is it not wise to compare ourselves to other people? The answer is simple, other people are not the standard! This is a very subjective standard that serves to make people feel a bit better about themselves, but in no ways gives insight as to whether they are approved by God!
Take, as an example the Pharisee in Luke 18 who prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector” (11). Setting aside the numerous problems with the man (he was proud, dismissive, and certainly ignorant of the relative righteousness of the man to whom he compared himself), his relative worth in relation to others had no bearing on whether he was accepted by God!
Our Lord clearly said that the Pharisee was not justified. Which shows another problem with such comparisons, it tends to come from a place of pride. “I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” (11-12).
Like Paul, we must recognize the foolishness of such comparisons. Instead, compare ourselves with God’s words, which shall judge us in the last day! (cf. John 12:48).
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Sermon: The Strength of Israel
In 1 Samuel 15, God is described as the Strength of Israel. The term here was used to establish the consequence of sin, and the fairness of God’s dealings with mankind.
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“The Day of the Lord”
The phrase “the day of the Lord” is typically used in scripture to reference a judgment of God. For example, in Joel 2:1-2, the prophet proclaims, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand: A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread over the mountains…”
Joel was one of the prophets sent by God to seek to bring a rebellious nation to repentance. This particular judgment of God upon Israel took the form of a natural calamity — a plague of locusts devastating the land.
Consider the appropriate response to God’s judgment upon the land. “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:12-13).
Whenever trial and tribulation occurs in our lives, whether individually or collectively, this should be considered. It is not that we know such tribulation comes from God’s judgment. But whether that be so, or if it simply be natural happenstance, we should always seek to examine our standing with God. Remember, the final day of judgment is coming, and it will come “as a thief in the night.” Now is the time for any needed repentance. Tomorrow may be too late.
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The Patternists: Who Judges the Steward?
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:1-4).
In our text Paul reveals himself as a servant of Christ. Christ had given him a specific stewardship. As an apostle, it was his responsibility to reveal God’s mysteries. His efforts enraged some. For example, the Judaizers in the early church despised the great apostle’s ministry among the Gentiles. It didn’t bother him in the least. He didn’t care. It was a “very small thing.”
Making Plans
Dick Hatch and I managed to establish a Thursday afternoon Bible class in the assisted living facility where he lives. Just about any afternoon would have worked, but I started out convinced that Thursday is great. I could see myself being there every class without fail.
In reality, I have missed two of the first six weeks we have had the class! The first Thursday I missed was because of sickness and ice on the roads. (I know, it is supposed to get up in the 90’s today). The second was this past Thursday when I had to take my mom to the hospital. “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men …” (Robert Burns, “To a Mouse”)
Paul had a similar thing happen to him in Acts 16. After spending some time in the region of Galatia, he decided he wanted to go on to Asia to preach there. But, the Holy Spirit did not allow it. So, instead he and his companions “tried to go into Bithynia”, but again the effort was vetoed by the Spirit. Finally, a vision appeared to Paul, with a man of Macedonia pleading with him to come help them in that region (Acts 16:6-10).
We can’t know what God has in store for us. Only one thing is certain. “…you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away… you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:14-16). Humble yourself and obey God now!
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The Patternists: Transgressions Bring Judgment
The book of Amos begins with declarations of judgment against various nations. The form of the declarations is uniform, beginning with the phrase, “for three transgressions… and for four.” For example, “Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron” (Amos 1:3). Also included are declarations against, Gaza (1:6), Tyre (1:9), Edom (1:11), Ammon (1:13), Moab (2:1), Judah (2:4) and Israel (2:6).
These simple declarations reveal why God’s judgment comes upon any people, either collectively or individually. They come because of transgressions. The Hebrew word in this context (pesa) is translated in the Old Testament using words like, transgression, sin, trespass and rebellion.
Continue reading “The Patternists: Transgressions Bring Judgment”
Sermon: Our God is a Consuming FIre
Speaker: Ian Tilley
A short (12 min.) discussion of the text of Hebrews 12:25-29, with applications.
Sermon: Jehoiakim’s Knife
The evil king Jehoaikim, when warned of coming judgments, did not fear nor repent. His rebelliousness brought destruction upon him and Judah.
