Knowing God Study - Lesson 16 Ý
Copyright 2004-5 by William Meisheid

Chapter 14: God the Judge

Today’s theme: Facing the music, we accept God as our judge.

Scriptural background:: Acts 10:42 "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead." 

Quotes for the week

"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, quoted by Glenn van Ekeren. Speaker's Sourcebook I : Quotes, Stories, & Anecdotes for Every Occasion. Prentice Hall Press, 1993.

"Good judgment comes from experience, and experience--well, that comes from poor judgment.” Cousin Woodman.

"Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts.” Nikki Giovanni. "Of Liberation," Black Feeling/Black Talk/Black Judgment, 1970.

Concern: That we will use our measure rather than God’s measuring rod to set the standard of judgment.

A study of judgment and its use in Scripture

“For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:30-31

Word study: judge/judgment

1   The Greek root bibilical word is:
     (noun)       - krima  meaning dispute, decision, verdict , judgment verb
     (verb)        - krino  meaning separate, judge, consider, decide

2   Use in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) extends its meaning to punish, wrangle, vindicate, and obtain justice for (e.g. Gen 15:14, 30:6, Deut. 32:36, 2 Sam 19:9, Ps. 54:3, Jer 5:28.)

It eventually came to mean to rule and he who rules and judges brings salvation, peace and deliverance to the persecuted and oppressed (Deut 10:18)

Even though men may sit in judgment it is really God who is Lord and Judge (Deut 1:17)

3   In the NT it adds the sense to distinguish, give preference, resolve, and approve in addition to speak or think ill of, to bring to trial, condemn, punish, and dispute.

God’s judgment, even if it is condemnation, is seen as just (Rom 2:2, 3:8).

God’s judgment is unsearchable (Rom 11:33).

God’s judgment is always near at hand and should stir us to repentance (Mat 10:28, 11:20, 12:41, Luke 13:6).

4   Under the eye of God's judgment we are called to judge each other (1 Cor 5:12, 6:2 and contrasted with Mat 7:1) but never arrogantly and always with our own personal sacrifice in view.

Think how 1 Cor 13 plays on judgment. The key is self sacrifice.

5   The one who bore sin now judges (2 Cor 5:21) and true judgment comes from rejecting him (John 3:16, 11:25).

Question: How are word studies such as this useful?

Interacting With The Text

Goal: To submit our hearts to the correction and judgment of God, in whom we trust and in that trust, live and move and have our being

If there is one thing that our fallen human nature rebels against, it is that anyone, including God, should sit in judgment on us. We are quick to accept forgiveness, love, and the other “compassionate” virtues and attributes of God, but don’t bring up judgment, for against that we will resist to our very core. Even when we do bow our knee to God, our old nature is still there, resisting judgment. Accepting judgment means giving up control and relinquishing choices, since by its very nature judgment strips these things from us and that goes against our sinful self.

1   How is Ecclesiastes 12:14 "For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or bad." significant for the focus of this chapter (hint: look at "good or bad")?

2   How does the idea that not only does God see everything about you, even the hidden things, but He will bring everything into judgment affect your daily living? Answer in practical terms.

3   Packer lists four things that encompass the idea of a judge. What are they and how do each of these things relate to the character of God?

4   How do these four aspects of being a judge affect our study and your life? Deal with each one.

5   What is the difference between judgment and retributive judgment? How does that affect your view of life and how you should live it?

6   Why is Jesus the perfect and just judge? What does this mean to you personally?

7   How does Packer resolve the puzzling question of uniting forgiveness and justification with the opening of the Book of Life in Revelation 20:11-15, where each man's actions are recorded?

8   What is the terror of the Lord? How does this concept square with your image of forgiveness and a loving God?

What To Do Next

Read Chapter Fifteen: The Wrath of God. We will now consider the most difficult aspect of God’s nature, his anger and wrath. While doing this we must not forget the assurance of Hebrews 12:5-6 “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.’”

Goal: To always remember that God’s judgments are just and true.

As Christians and children of God, we know that His judgments are always to our betterment, not to our destruction. God loves us. Remember the truth that every athlete knows, “No pain, no gain” and remind yourself that all God’s correction is for your eternal well being.