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Monday, 26 April 2021
Judgment and judgment

There is judgment and then there is judgment. I am currently considering God’s attribute of mercy (aka grace). Most people think of judgment and mercy as being opposed to each other, but in the kingdom of God, they are one and the same. Let me explain.

God has already judged the world, and everything in it. Ecclesiastes 7:20 "Surely there is not a righteous person on earth who does what is good and doesn’t sin." You might be tempted to say, "But that’s Old Testament, and we are New Testament people.” Then consider this ... 1 John 1:8 "If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us." Not specific enough for you? Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

A courthouse is called in Hebrew, a Beit Din, meaning “house of judgment.” But a courthouse is where a trial takes place and then the verdict is given. So the first judgment is the trial. Then, at the end of the trial, there is the verdict. This is also called a judgment.

The judgment of Nebuchadnezzar applies to us all. Daniel 5:27 "TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting." God’s judgment was to overturn our guilty verdict by sending His Son. So then, God’s judgment is the salvation of the world. Rather than fear Judgment Day, for those of us who know and trust the Lord, we should embrace and look forward to Judgment Day.

2 Corinthians 2:14a,15,16a "But thanks be to God, who in Messiah always leads us in triumphal procession ... For we are the aroma of Messiah to God, among those who are being saved and those who are perishing - to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life."

Then Paul asks this question ... 2 Corinthians 2:16b "Who is competent for these things?" And he answers his own question ... 2 Corinthians 2:17 "For we are not like many, peddling the word of God. Rather, in Messiah we speak in the sight of God with sincerity, as persons sent from God."

God’s mercy is good news to all who believe. Let us then, “speak in the sight of God with sincerity.” We don’t have to sell God’s mercy, but just tell it ... Galatians 4:4-5 "But when the fullness of time came, God sent out His Son, born of a woman and born under law - to free those under law, so we might receive adoption as sons."

Posted By Rabbi Michael Weiner, 10:00am Comment Comments: 0