3 Fundamental Truths About God’s Judgment
By Michael Kelley
Christianity is a faith of unity, but it is not a faith of uniformity. One of the ways we see that dynamic work out is in the fact that Christians just do not agree about everything. We read the same Bible, believe in the same gospel, want to follow the same Jesus, and still disagree about things. One of those things involves eschatology. That’s the theological word for the end times.
There are all different kinds of opinions about when Jesus will return, what will happen when He does, and how the final judgment of God will be conducted. But in the midst of all those different opinions, there are a few things that all of us acknowledge to be true.
Regardless of what your eschatological persuasion, here are three fundamental truths about God’s judgment:
1. Judgment is the exclusive work of God.
One of the most quoted verses in the Bible is Matthew 7:1:
“Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.”
Now most of the time when someone quotes that verse, they do so with the spirit of permissiveness. We want to be the authority over our own lives, and so no one has the right to tell us what we are doing is wrong. So in quoting that verse, most of the time what we mean is “Mind your own business.”
But Jesus’ intent was not to tell us that we cannot, in love, call out the sin in others. Nor was it to tell us that we cannot broadly speak out about issues of evil and injustice in the world around us. Instead, Matthew 7:1 is a warning, and the warning is that we, as humans, should not presume to take the place of God.
Judgment (in the ultimate and eternal sense) is the exclusive work of God, and the reason why that’s true is because God is the only One qualified to do it. He is the only One who knows the full facts, motives, and intent of every person. He’s the only One truly impartial. And He’s the only One powerful enough to execute it in the right and proportionate way.
2. Judgment is the certain work of God.
Peter wrote what we know today as 2 Peter in the context of people who were questioning whether Jesus was actually coming back. They woke up day after day and everything was the same as it was yesterday. So where was the return of Christ? Where was this time when everything was set right? Here’s how Peter responded:
Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:8-9).
Peter’s point was something like this - we should not mistake God’s patience for His apathy. Yes, God has delayed His judgment, but that’s not because He doesn’t care about what’s happening on the earth. And it’s not because He is excusing what’s happening on earth. It’s because of His great love and desire for everyone to repent, because when that judgment happens, it will be too late.
But His judgment, though delayed in His patience, is certain. It will come.
3. Judgment is the motivating work of God.
If we return to Peter’s words, we find that God’s judgment ought to motivate us as he continues in verse 10:
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:10-13).
The reality of God’s judgment ought to move us toward holiness. And it ought to move us toward sharing the gospel with others. It ought to motivate us to quickly forgive and to not take matters of vengeance into our own hands. God’s judgment should motivate us in all kinds of ways, but perhaps the best summary word for that motivation is this:
We should live with a ready posture.
Is that true of us today? Are we living with a sense of expectation and readiness in light of God’s judgment? Because it is coming. And it is exclusive to God. Let’s be motivated in light of those things.
Michael Kelley is a husband, father of three, author, and speaker from Nashville, TN. His latest book is a year-long family devotional guide called The Whole Story for the Whole Family. Find his personal blog at michaelkelley.co.
