God's Judgements Part 3
By
Rick Sutcliffe
for AFBC Bible Class Fall 2002
The scriptures have much to say about God's judgements against sin, perhaps more than they have to say about his love, grace, and mercy.
Table of Contents (Links)
- Introduction
- Some history of God's past judgements
- Judgement in the here and now
- Future Judgements of God
Judgement in the here and now
a. Not every thing bad that happens to us is necessarily a judgement from God. It may be a trial He has permitted in order to gain glory for himself. However, the scriptures do make it clear that God still sometimes exercises judgement in this life.
1Co 11: 25-34 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.Ó For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognising the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
What does this mean? Simply that if a person is not a believer (does not discern the body of Christ given for him or her) and/or does not recognize the body of Christ in the Church (is not in fellowship because of sin) and takes the symbol of salvation and fellowship anyway, that person may well be judged by weakness, sickness, or even death (afflictions of their body for an offence against Christ's body).
Does he judge his people in the church context as he did in the context of national Israel? Certainly, if they reject or disown Him.
Heb 10:30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
The very next verse reminds us that
Heb 10:31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
and although the context is those who had, or were considering, turning away from the measure of faith they had professed, these words were written to the church.
A longer passage in Acts 5 tells the story of Ananias, and Sapphira who wanted credit for an act of giving that was more than what they had done. Their lie to the Holy Spirit led to God judging them on the spot, and both died for their lie. God does not always do this, but He may. Revelation 2 tells us of churches that were judged, and their actions and attitudes variously found acceptable or inadequate. On the latter items they were warned to repent, lest the entire church be judged by losing its candlestick (ceasing to exist as a witness to Christ).
b. The New Testament reminds us of a point made earlier, that final judgement for eternity is reserved for God.
Mt 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Mt 7:2 For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Lu 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
1Co 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
c. In yet another variation on the theme, we are told about some things we are not to be judged for, and so are not to judge others for.
Col 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
The particular issue was those who would have judged the Christians for not observing particular days. The broader principle (see the context) embodied in this is that of liberty in Christ. That is, the specifics of religious observances, whether or not one regards a particular day or religious practice as holy may be open for discussion, but not for judgement. In essentials unity, in other matters liberty, and over all things, love. One group of Christians may celebrate their liberty in Christ in one way, others may do so in another. We need to be careful therefore what we say about another Church's organization, meetings, music, form of worship service, or other activities. So long as they do not contravene clear Biblical statements, who are we to criticize them or be criticized about them?
d. At the same time, it also tells us that we are to exercise judgement on sin, at least on occasion to the point of breaking fellowship over the matter.
1Co 5:12-13 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
1Co 6:2-3 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
False teaching, immorality, divisiveness, gossip, and the desire for leaders to have pre-eminence are among the things that the saints ought to exercise judgement over to this extent. There is a right and a wrong way to do this:
Lu 6:41-42 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
That it is clear such judgements are intended to bring the sinner to repentance and are not therefore final (in the sense of eternal) is indicated in
2Cor 2:5-11 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent--not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote to you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
That is, we are told that if a brother repents after having had the church rebuke him, he may be restored to fellowship.
e. One of the implications of these principles relating to our judgements is that when we as individuals, church leaders or a church do exercise judgement, it should be done in a manner consistent with the judgements of God and with the word of God (except for the fact that our judgements do not see the heart and are not for eternity, but relate to fellowship).
For example, we note that God's people are not to pass a judgement on the strength of what one person says:
De 19:15 One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offence he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Mt 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
2Co 13:1 "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."
1Ti 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
What else characterizes the judgements of God? He tempers His justice with a way of escape.
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
So it should be with us. If the offender repents, he is forgiven (see the point above). But more than that. Since the forgiveness of God is without conditions, our forgiveness must be likewise unconditional in order to model his. He says, for instance,
Ps 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
But the word also says:
Mr 4:24 "Consider carefully what you hear,Ó he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you--and even more.
Mt 6:12-15 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
It is important to note in the last connection that the scriptures are not telling us a person who has salvation loses it for one sin of unforgiveness. Rather, the person who is unforgiving in their pattern of life demonstrates they do not understand and may well never have received the forgiveness of Christ (i.e. they aren't Christians and are showing their true colours by their actions, or lack thereof).
Moreover, God has found a way in Christ to extend us mercy. It is not always necessary to extract the last gram justice might demand, for mercy is also a characteristic of God's judgements (of course, this assumes repentance).
Here are three passages of scripture where justice and mercy are mentioned together.
Mic 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Zec 7:9 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.
Mt 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former.
The principal application of this would be in the cancelling of debts rather than in the general administration of justice, however. That is, the cancelling of sin's guilt requires repentance and then forgiveness. The debt that needs to be repaid because of sin can then be cancelled to show mercy. Debts owed for other reasons can be cancelled on the grounds of mercy alone.
Next part: Future Judgements of God
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