We often talk of Jesus as the Saviour yet very seldom of him as a judge. Scripture tells us that he is now our Saviour but will be our judge on the final day. A true judge is one who has been trained in the law and appointed to administer justice fairly and reasonably to all persons without favour or affection or ill-will, but as God wants according to his divine laws and principles. How will Jesus function as a judge?
Based on Jesus’ knowledge of our culture
A good judge understands the culture of the people. John 1: 14 says and the Word (Jesus) became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. Jesus will therefore judge us from the point of true knowledge based on what he has seen, observed, heard and experienced from the world.
He is aware of God’s channel, which he has availed to us for eternal life. 1John 4: 9 says God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. It is written in John 3: 16, for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. Jesus will judge by the given word.
God sent him down to earth as the gate to eternity. Jesus said in John 10: 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. He continued in verse 14, I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me… I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to the fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one Shepherd. Those who do not go through the gate do not belong to Jesus.
He has affirmed what he is to the world. In John 14: 6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. In effect, if we are minded to know the truth, the way and what life is, then we must inquire from Jesus. He said in Luke 19: 10 for the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost. He is coming back not as a saviour but a judge. Are we ready?
Based on our recorded works
Jesus will judge us according to our works. Revelation 20: 12-13 says we will be judged according to our works, as recorded in the books, and according to what we have done (summarized) . Jesus is quoted in Revelation 22: 12, “See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. Our work or our conduct or behaviour is very crucial to God.
Leviticus 19: 2 says you shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 3: 18 do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. The wisdom of this world alone is not helpful for God’s kingdom, so Paul wrote in Ephesians 5: 6 let no one deceive you with empty words… Everyone must work with his conscience.
Paul wrote in Philippians 3: 16 only let us hold fast to what we have attained. Jesus also said in Revelation 2: 25 only hold fast to what you have until I come. He said in Revelation 3: 11 I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. We only protect our crowns with faithfulness and obedience to God’s word. He said in Revelation 2: 10, be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. What is our record in the book of life?
Based on how we judge others
Jesus has shown us how he intends to judge the world. He said in Matthew 7: 2 for with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Jesus will use the very standard we engage to judge others. He said so in Luke 6: 27-37. If we are forgiving, he will be forgiving. The words which we utter will judge us, Matthew 12: 27; Luke 11: 19.
Jesus said in John 5: 30 as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. Jesus will not judge by human standards. John 8: 15-16 say, you judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. Heaven is aware of how we judge others and God himself.
Jesus said in John 12: 47-48, I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them… The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge. The word of God will be the standard for judgment. Romans 2: 16 says God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all. God always knows our thoughts.
James 3: 1 says… for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. This is because a teacher cannot claim ignorance of what he has taught. Teachers of the word must also practice what we teach. Matthew 12: 36 says I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter. We must also be mindful of our tongues whenever we have to speak.
Why is Christ Jesus the eternal judge?
God has appointed Jesus as his righteous judge for the world. John 5: 22 says the Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Anyone who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him. In effect, we cannot honour God yet dishonour Jesus the Son. Acts 10: 42 says he (Jesus) commanded us (disciples) to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.
Paul said to the people of the Athenians in Acts 17: 31 he (God) has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. That man appointed is Christ Jesus. In 2Timothy 4: 1 Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead. In 2Timothy 4: 8, he is the righteous judge.
James 5: 9 describes the judge standing at the doors. That judge is Jesus, for Jesus said in Revelation 3: 20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. Peter also confirmed in 1Peter 4: 5, we will have to give an accounting to him (Jesus) who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. Soon and very soon, we will face Jesus as the eternal judge. Will we be sentenced to eternal death or acquitted to life eternal?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we have come to the notice that you will be our eternal judge. Help us to be ready in righteousness when we meet you in judgment. Come into our hearts, Lord Jesus, and save our souls today in your holy name, Amen!!
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