Perspectives

Romans 2:1- 4… 1) You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (NIV)

Why is it that I can be so judgmental when I am far from perfect myself? The old saying that those who live in glass houses ought not to throw stones is hardly ever followed. The truth is that far too often I like to throw stones. I just must hope that the other guy’s arm is not as accurate as mine. Perhaps my thinking is that my sins are safely hidden, never to be found out.

God’s judgment will be based on truth. In other words, God knows the truth about me; He knows the truth about us. He knows my heart, and He knows what is going on in my mind. He knows precisely the sins that I have committed and the circumstances surrounding those sins. This is good and bad. It is good I do not have to explain everything to God, but it is awfully bad that He knows everything. And because He knows everything, including the very intentions of my heart, He will be able to judge me based on the absolute truth about me. There will be no misrepresentation to God.

Many people believe because they have not yet felt the judgment of God for their sins that some how God must approve of their attitudes and behavior. But they do not realize why God is showing them the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience. The reason why God is showing them these qualities of grace, and not judging them immediately, is not because He approves. God desires that His kindness leads us to repentance. To presume upon that kindness is to show contempt for what God is trying to do. This is the truth about us. And God’s judgment will be based on truth.

When God looks at me in the judgment, He will be looking at more than my attitude. He will be looking at my actions. It is not enough to say that I believe. I must also behave as if I believe. It is not enough to believe in a standard. I must also live by that standard. God’s judgment will be according to my behavior.

It is because of my stubbornness and an unrepentant heart that I shall be judged. To repent means that I make an about-face. It means that I turn around. It means that I change my behavior. And if I am too stubborn to do that then I will find myself in deep trouble. In other words, I will be storing up wrath against myself.

When I stand before God in judgment, there will be nothing that escapes His notice. All secrets will be known by Him. There is nothing that will be hidden. There is nothing that will not be revealed… what a scary thought. Everything I have ever done in secret, every thought I have ever thought, every sinful desire I have indulged in, every evil word I have ever spoken or thought, every sin will be revealed. What a horrible day that will be for many!

The good news is that Jesus Christ can change our destiny. When we come to Christ in sincere repentance and faith, he will forgive us for all our sins, even the secret sins, and blot out that sin. The Bible teaches us that He remembers it no more. It will never be brought up against us. The most important thing in life is to know that Jesus can save us from our sins. The second most important thing to know is that we require it. We need to know this. We need to act on it. We need to share it with others. We are all without excuse. But God has made a way to escape. Jesus Christ is the way. To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done.

Would you pray this prayer with me… “Lord Jesus, come into my heart? Forgive my sins, for I have many. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have peace in my heart, I really want that peace, joy, and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to You Name.” Amen