God’s judgment is an invitation to see what we have not yet seen, and to become aware of what has been hidden to us. We need to think of judgment not as an end, but a beginning. It is not our condemnation, though what is false or untrustworthy may be condemned for what it is. Love’s judgment offers us a way forward to life and away from death,
When God judges, he clarifies truth which, in turn, the wise embrace for their own growth. God gives his verdict for our progress toward maturity in Christ, the Beloved Son.
Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24
Since those who have crossed over from death to life will not be judged, this implies that judgment is for the purpose of that transformation. If judgment is intended to help us cross over from death to life, helping us see and know what we need to understand for our growth, then those who have already experienced that transition no longer have a need to be judged.
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. Psalm 96:13
All who seek God welcome his judgment. Creation celebrates the prospect of divine judgment. It is the path to life eternal. Anyone who loves truth rejoices in the judgments of God, knowing that the reality they covet is revealed when God tells us what we need to hear.
If we misunderstand the purpose of judgment we will fear that it is about our destruction and rejection, rather than transformation.
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth. 1 Peter 1:7
“Fear” is best understood in this verse as reverence and respect rather than terror or dread. If we know that only God can tell us the truth about what we do, then we need to give careful attention to his pronouncements to us, knowing they will help us live better. They will benefit not only others but ourselves as well. The admonition is to take seriously what God is telling us so that we may grow.
When we know the heart of God, that he is for us and never against us, then we will join the psalmist in accepting the invitation God offers. We will implore, “judge us!”
Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23
Leave a Reply