Some people think of judgment from a negative standpoint. They perceive God as a God who executes judgment strictly as a form of punishment. That may be due to the way God has been presented. Scripture treats judgment as a consequence. God has established order in the universe. He established ways mankind would be blessed and likewise cursed. It’s a matter of His order.
God’s way is grace. HIS GRACE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE. He loves mercy. God’s judgment, however, is evident in natural life. Mankind brings judgment upon itself as a consequence of choices and actions; behavior that is foreign to the nature of God, beyond the boundaries of what is right and just—from His standpoint; in reality, natural order. That’s why He offers repentance; to consciously and deliberately turn back to Him; His order of righteousness.
Unfortunately, man in and of himself can never come to perfect righteousness, to measure up to a perfect, holy God. That’s why Christ came—to reveal and BE the standard of God’s righteousness. He modeled righteousness. By His death and resurrection He also paid for the eternal consequence or penalty of mankind’s iniquity—sin nature—that which brings separation from God.
RELEVANCE
The LORD revealed a great mystery when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). For one thing, He did not say or imply that no one comes to God except through a mediating person or representative; but through Him. He is the path, the way and the goal. He is the divine reality. Knowing Him brings you to knowing God. Being in union with Him is being in union with God. He is the full and true expression of the way, nature and character of God. In that He also is the way of grace. As we humbly come to Him—who was and is the Father’s perfect and acceptable sacrifice for sins—we come to the Father, and receive knowledge and affirmation of His unconditional judgment and verdict: FORGIVEN.
Since all of creation is under and subject to God, all behavior is subject to God’s righteous judgment. Behavior within the union of God through Christ realizes the power of God’s favor—grace; and that which is outside the union of God realizes His contempt, subjecting one to natural consequences and the forces of darkness.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Ask God to reveal in a personal way the reality of His way, truth and life to you. It will bring you to a higher realm with Him—heavenly places—and reveal His true love, peace and joy. Is there a particular situation where you might question God’s justice?
REFERENCES
Ephesians 1:7-12; Romans 8:1-17