God the Righteous Judge

Psalms 9:8 – And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. 

II Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 

Recently, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed and the debate began: Should the President appoint someone this close to the election?  Will Roe v. Wade, or the Affordable Care Act be repealed?  As I listened to these arguments, I began to consider the judgement of God. 

We are warned about judging or prejudging people in the Scripture.  Matthew 7 records the words of Jesus, “…Judge not, least ye be judged..”  After hearing some of the discussion today – liberal verses conservative or a hanging judge verses a lenient judge – I was left thanking God that He is the judge, not me or anyone else. 

If the truth be told, we are all susceptible to bias, favoritism and influence.  We have all experienced events and circumstances that may impact our vision or cause us to be predisposed.  Perhaps you were abused and the result is you do not trust anyone.  Perhaps your spouse was unfaithful so you are anti-marriage.  Maybe your pastor was not committed as he should have been so now you disrespect all pastors.  I believe this is why Jesus told us not to judge. 

The referenced scriptures tell us that God will judge in righteousness.  The second text tells us that we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ.  I thank God that He is the judge and not people.  With God we know He will not be swayed by wealth or a pretty face.  God has not been influenced by His predecessors or instructors.  God will not feel compelled to even the score.  God will be able to discern false evidence. 

There is an account in the Scripture that tells of a woman who was caught in the very act of adultery (John 8).  I will not spend time asking about the whereabouts of her partner.  I will not question how her accusers happened to know where she would be and who she would be with.  When brought to Jesus, her accusers sought to not only entrap the woman, but confuse the Savior.  Jesus not only brought the Pharisees to shame, but he set the woman free.  His judgement did not excuse her of her wrong, but He liberated her from the accusers and the power sin had over her. 

When man sinned and fell out of relationship with God, the Lord made a way through Christ to redeem us from sin.  Two thousand years later, the way of salvation has not changed.  The Lord does not require more of one group verses another.  God does not change the standards; He does not base His decisions on anyone else’s.  God’s judgement does not change over time (Psalms 119:160).  No one can accuse God of being liberal or conservative:  He is holy. 

The psalmist probably describes God’s judgement best in Psalms 19:7-9, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.  The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.  The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”