The idea that God is sitting on His throne and he gets to decide whether we spend an eternity in Hell or Heaven can be kind of scary. It is a major contributor to the rise of the universal salvation heresy. It might be comforting to think that God will send everyone to Heaven. But can a God who doesn’t punish anyone really be just? The position that God doesn’t punish is not only un-Biblical but, the truth is, that it is a good thing that God judges humanity.
The Just Judge
God is a perfectly just judge who is thirsty for justice (Ps. 7:11). We must start with this position or else we cannot make a case for the judgment of God being good. God always gives out the punishments that people deserve, no more and no less. What that means is that while it may seem there is no justice in the world God is working tirelessly to but the world to right and judge the wicked for their misdeeds. Isaiah tells us that “I, the LORD, love justice” (Ish. 61:8). The wicked will be judged at the end of their lives for the evil that they perpetrated in their life time and just will be rewarded (Ish. 61:8).
Knowing that God is a just judge we can rest assured that the wicked will be rightly punished and the righteous will be rightly rewarded.
The Two Justices
Knowing that God is a just judge we can rest assured that the wicked will be rightly punished and the righteous will be rightly rewarded.
The Two Justices
There are two kinds of justice and therefore two kinds of judgment that God exhibits. There is distributive justice and retributive justice. Briefly, distributive justice means that everyone is treated equally (Example Ish.47:17) Retributive justice means that God gives people their “just deserts.” (Example Deut. 1:17).
God will judge (or bring justice to) the world and wicked. On one hand, God will eventually “put the world to right.” On the other hand, God will eventually punish the wicked and reward the righteous.
The best example of the two aspects of God’s justice working together is to imagine you are caught in huge riot. You are in the middle of the riot with your wife and all around you the world is falling apart. Looting, fire, violence, rape, and murder are all occurring. At every moment your life is in jeopardy. The only thing you pray for is that the police would come to restore order and punish those committing crimes. The type of prayer is prayer of God’s judgement.
When we pray for God’s judgment we are asking him to restore order to the world and judge those who are making the world bad. We live in a fallen world. All around us sin is growing more rampant and widespread every day. But we can rest assured knowing that one day God will come back and make the world perfect again.
Judgment is a Good thing
God will judge (or bring justice to) the world and wicked. On one hand, God will eventually “put the world to right.” On the other hand, God will eventually punish the wicked and reward the righteous.
The best example of the two aspects of God’s justice working together is to imagine you are caught in huge riot. You are in the middle of the riot with your wife and all around you the world is falling apart. Looting, fire, violence, rape, and murder are all occurring. At every moment your life is in jeopardy. The only thing you pray for is that the police would come to restore order and punish those committing crimes. The type of prayer is prayer of God’s judgement.
When we pray for God’s judgment we are asking him to restore order to the world and judge those who are making the world bad. We live in a fallen world. All around us sin is growing more rampant and widespread every day. But we can rest assured knowing that one day God will come back and make the world perfect again.
Judgment is a Good thing
If you are a Christian God’s judgment compels us to action since His judgment stems from His desire for justice. If God cares about the poor and defenseless why don’t we? God’s always seeking justice. Like I mentioned earlier, God’s wrath burns against those who would oppress the weak or exploit the poor. So, men, what are you doing about it? Do you have a heart for the poor? Do you get angry when the weak are oppressed? If you not you need to more carefully consider God’s justice.
However, the Bible is clear that if we aren’t saved were heading for Hell. Paul tells that “no one is righteous, no not one.” (Rom. 3:10) If we are not saved in the sense that the Bible talks about God judgment is VERY scary. As it should be, God’s judgment is supposed to deter the wicked. This should be a perfectly comforting thought for the Christian. Jesus Christ took our deserved judgment when he died on the cross for our sins. Paul tells us that “there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1-2)
So here’s the question, do you believe that your sin puts you under God’s judgment? If you do you need to repent of your sin and accept Christ as Savior. It’s as simple as that.
The wicked will get punished and the good will get rewarded. That is a good thing. This is what human society has strived for through the centuries. But due to the inherently sinful nature of humanity a totally just society has been unattainable. But God will ultimately judge the living and the dead. We can rest easy knowing that we have a perfectly just judge in heaven that offers us a way out of condemnation for our sins.
Part 2 down only 1 to go! This one was tough to write if you have any questions or comment I’d REALLY appreciate them.
If you have questions or comments leave them below. Or send them here.
However, the Bible is clear that if we aren’t saved were heading for Hell. Paul tells that “no one is righteous, no not one.” (Rom. 3:10) If we are not saved in the sense that the Bible talks about God judgment is VERY scary. As it should be, God’s judgment is supposed to deter the wicked. This should be a perfectly comforting thought for the Christian. Jesus Christ took our deserved judgment when he died on the cross for our sins. Paul tells us that “there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1-2)
So here’s the question, do you believe that your sin puts you under God’s judgment? If you do you need to repent of your sin and accept Christ as Savior. It’s as simple as that.
The wicked will get punished and the good will get rewarded. That is a good thing. This is what human society has strived for through the centuries. But due to the inherently sinful nature of humanity a totally just society has been unattainable. But God will ultimately judge the living and the dead. We can rest easy knowing that we have a perfectly just judge in heaven that offers us a way out of condemnation for our sins.
Part 2 down only 1 to go! This one was tough to write if you have any questions or comment I’d REALLY appreciate them.
If you have questions or comments leave them below. Or send them here.
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