Attributes of God #7
“God Judges”
Pastor David Moore
Theme today is: God Judges. The reality of God’s judgement, the basis for judgement and the escape from judgement.
Old Testament reading: Ezekiel 16:49‐59
“‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done. Bear your disgrace, for you have furnished some justification for your sisters. Because your sins were more vile than theirs, they appear more righteous than you. So then, be ashamed and bear your disgrace, for you have made your sisters appear righteous.
“‘However, I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and of Samaria and her daughters, and your fortunes along with them, so that you may bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you have done in giving them comfort. And your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to what they were before; and you and your daughters will return to what you were before. You would not even mention your sister Sodom in the day of your pride, before your wickedness was uncovered. Even so, you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom and all her neighbors and the daughters of the Philistines— all those around you who despise you. You will bear the consequences of your lewdness and your detestable practices, declares the Lord.
“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant.
New Testament reading: Matthew 11:20‐30
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you Capernum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
If God loves, then people won’t go to hell. But, if God is a god of judgement, they say, then He cannot be a God of love. For some folks, this can be a real bump in the road. But, I think God is a god of love and wrath, and that isn’t a contradiction; and further that while they seem like opposing positions, they actually work together. One without the other, love without judgement or judgement without love is meaningless. Judgement revolves around God’s goodness. ~D. Moore
You are your own highest authority. Do not place your source of authority outside of you. Go within to see if the truth you’ve found is in harmony with the truth you find in your heart. ~Neale Donald Walsch
In our God denying society we understand deep down that there is something higher than us that is going to hold us accountable for what we do. There is divine justice. ~D. Moore
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Romans 2:12,13 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
On a conscious or unconscious level, we all understand we deserve judgement. Underneath our issues of anxiety and bitterness there is a nagging sense that we deserve judgement. We are not living up to Jesus’ standard. And at the same time there is something happening in our hearts. ~D. Moore
Luke 14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
The Cross shows us God’s love and God’s judgement at the same time. ~D. Moore
Repentance is as much a mark of a Christian, as faith is. A very little sin, as the world calls it, is a very great sin to a true Christian. ~Charles Spurgeon
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
This week: think about and reflect about what Jesus said and did. As we get closer to Jesus, our unconscious judgement becomes conscious judgement. We begin to see that Jesus wants us to rest in Him. Jesus is growing our self confidence in trusting Him. (Matthew 11:28‐30)
God bless and have a good week.