{"id":3374,"date":"2015-08-10T00:00:34","date_gmt":"2015-08-10T07:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3374"},"modified":"2015-08-09T21:40:19","modified_gmt":"2015-08-10T04:40:19","slug":"810-gods-judgement-and-ours-%e8%af%97941-11-%e6%9e%97%e5%89%8d61-20-%e4%bb%a3%e4%b8%8b11-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/08\/10\/810-gods-judgement-and-ours-%e8%af%97941-11-%e6%9e%97%e5%89%8d61-20-%e4%bb%a3%e4%b8%8b11-17\/","title":{"rendered":"8\/10: God’s Judgement and Ours (\u8bd794:1-11 \u6797\u524d6:1-20 \u4ee3\u4e0b1:1-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u00a0\u8bd794:1-11 \u6797\u524d6:1-20 \u4ee3\u4e0b1:1-17<\/h2>\n

God’s Judgement and Ours<\/h2>\n
\n

When I practised as a barrister most of the judges I appeared before were extremely good. However, I remember one occasion when I appeared before a judge who was not good. It was a terrible experience.<\/p>\n

I was representing the defendant in a criminal case. It was only the second case I had ever done in front of a jury. I was twenty-three years of age and, obviously, very inexperienced. Nevertheless, it seemed to me that there was something very wrong with the way in which the judge was conducting the case. She kept interrupting me whenever I was seeking to cross-examine a witness. She intervened over and over again with her own questions. I ended up having what the court usher described as a \u2018stand up row with the judge\u2019.<\/p>\n

The judge\u2019s summing up was more like a second prosecution speech; my client was duly convicted and sent to prison. We appealed, on the basis that the defendant was entitled to a fair trial and he had not been given one.<\/p>\n

When I appeared before three very senior judges in the Court of Appeal, I was extremely nervous that they might not approve of my part in the \u2018stand up row with the judge\u2019! To my relief they were as appalled as I had been by her conduct of the trial. They overturned the original decision and my confidence in the British legal system was restored.<\/p>\n

In many parts of the world, good judges are scarce. There is no rule of law. The result is terrible injustice. The poor, in particular, tend to be the victims \u2013 especially if the judges are subject to bribery and corruption.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

1. Judge of the earth<\/h2>\n

Psalm 94:1-11<\/a>The Lord God is \u2018Judge of the earth<\/em>\u2019 (v.2). At the moment, we do not always see justice. We see wickedness (v.3), arrogance and boasting (v.4). We see people being crushed and oppressed (v.5). In particular, we see the poor \u2013 the widow, outsider and fatherless (v.6) \u2013 suffering.<\/p>\n

The psalmist cries out for justice. God is a God of justice. He \u2018avenges\u2019 (v.1). This is not vindictive but the appropriate and just response to evil and wickedness. He will \u2018pay back to the proud what they deserve\u2019 (v.2b). The wicked will not get away with it any longer. The poor will no longer be oppressed.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s judgment is an aspect of his love. He loves the marginalised. Therefore he acts on their behalf to judge their oppressors.<\/p>\n

Injustice is the cause of so much suffering in the world. In order to protect the innocent, it is an act of love to bring to justice those who, for example, traffic people for sex.<\/p>\n

Sometimes we might be tempted to think that \u2018God does not notice\u2019 or \u2018God does not mind\u2019. However, the reality is that God, \u2018who implanted the ear\u2019, hears and, \u2018who formed the eye\u2019, sees (v.9). This means that God\u2019s judgment will be loving and perfect. God has total knowledge for \u2018the Lord knows all human thoughts\u2019 (v.11a), and so he is able to, and will, administer perfect justice.<\/p>\n

Lord, thank you that one day we will see perfect justice executed by a perfect Judge. In the meantime, Lord, help us to seek justice on this earth, especially for the marginalised. \u2018Rise up, O Judge of the earth\u2019 (v.2a).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

2. Judges in the church<\/h2>\n

1 Corinthians 6:1-20<\/a>The general rule in the New Testament is that Christians should never take each other to court.<\/p>\n

The apostle Paul was shocked that the believers in Corinth were taking one another to court: \u2018How dare you take each other to court!\u2019 (v.1a, MSG). This is a terrible witness for the church. Believers were fighting each other in front of the \u2018ungodly\u2019 (v.1): \u2018Does it make any sense to go before a court that knows nothing of God\u2019s ways instead of a family of Christians?\u2019 (v.1b, MSG).<\/p>\n

It would be better to allow themselves to be wronged or cheated than to get involved in lawsuits (vv.7\u20138). However, Paul appeals to them that if they do get involved in disputes they should settle the matter between themselves (vv.4\u20136).<\/p>\n

If it really is necessary to settle a dispute then they should appoint judges<\/em> from the church. Paul points out that one day the \u2018saints will judge the world<\/em>\u2019 (v.2). \u2018The day is coming when the world is going to stand before a jury made up of followers of Jesus\u2019 (v.2, MSG). This judgment, Paul suggests, will include the judgment of fallen angels (v.3).<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s argument is that if one day we are to be involved in this great day of judgment, surely we are capable of judging relatively trivial cases now (vv.2\u20133). Do anything to avoid \u2018going to law\u2019 against each other in front of \u2018unbelievers\u2019 (v.6).<\/p>\n

There will be a final judgment. \u2018The wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God\u2019 (v.9). Paul lists various types of sinners: \u2018Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don\u2019t qualify as citizens in God\u2019s kingdom\u2019 (vv.9\u201310, MSG).<\/p>\n

Many of those to whom Paul was writing would have been involved in these kinds of sinful lifestyles in the past. He writes, \u2018A number of you know from experience what I am talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you\u2019ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit\u2019 (v.11, MSG).<\/p>\n

All of us would be condemned at the final judgment. We have no cause for self-righteousness or boasting. We all deserve to be condemned. Through the death of Jesus for you, you were washed, sanctified and justified. To be justified means to be acquitted before the great court of God. The judgment is brought forward and you receive this verdict now.<\/p>\n

You can have great confidence about the future. Death is not the end: \u2018By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also\u2019 (v.14). Not only can you be sure that one day you will be raised to eternal life, but through Jesus you can also be assured that you can appear with confidence before the judge of all the earth \u2018sanctified\u2019 and \u2018justified\u2019 (v.11).<\/p>\n

This does not mean that you can go off and do anything you like. Rather, the reverse. Your body is now a temple of the Holy Spirit (v.19). You were \u2018bought at a price\u2019 (v.20). Therefore, \u2018flee from sexual immorality\u2019 (v.18). \u2018We must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy leaving us more lonely than ever\u2019 (v.16, MSG). \u2018Your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit\u2019 (v.19, MSG).<\/p>\n

Do \u2018not be mastered by anything\u2019 (v.12). Your body belongs to God. Use it to honour him (v.20).<\/p>\n

Lord, thank you that through the blood of Jesus, I am washed and cleansed. Thank you that I have already been acquitted. Help me to live as someone who has been set free and to honour you in everything I do.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n

3. Judgment of Solomon<\/h2>\n

2 Chronicles 1:1-17<\/a>Do you ever feel overwhelmed by something you are supposed to be doing? Solomon was faced with a \u2018staggering task\u2019 (v.9, MSG).<\/p>\n

Solomon\u2019s kingdom was firmly established (v.1). He spoke to all Israel including the \u2018judges<\/em>\u2019 (v.2).<\/p>\n

He himself was also to act as a judge. In fact, throughout history Solomon has been known for his good judgment. The people held him \u2018in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice<\/em>\u2019 (1 Kings 3:28).<\/p>\n

Where did this wisdom come from? It was an answer to his prayer. God said to him, \u2018Ask for whatever you want me to give to you\u2019 (2 Chronicles 1:7). He prayed, \u2018Give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people \u2013 for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?\u2019 (v.10, MSG).<\/p>\n

\u2018God answered Solomon, \u201cThis is what has come out of your heart: You didn\u2019t grasp for money, wealth, fame, and the doom of your enemies; you didn\u2019t even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could govern well my people over whom I\u2019ve made you king. Because of this, you get what you asked for \u2013 wisdom and knowledge. And I\u2019m presenting you the rest as a bonus \u2013 money, wealth, and fame beyond anything the kings before or after you had or will have\u201d\u2019 (vv.11\u201312, MSG).<\/p>\n

This is an Old Testament example of two great New Testament principles. First, Jesus said, \u2018Seek first [God\u2019s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well\u2019 (Matthew 6:33). Second, the apostle James said, \u2018If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you\u2019 (James 1:5).<\/p>\n

Lord, I pray for wisdom and knowledge for myself and for all those who are required to lead and govern. Give us wisdom and knowledge as we lead. I pray that you would raise up good judges and that there would be a transformation in the justice systems around the world.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Pippa Adds<\/h2>\n
\n

2 Chronicles 1:10<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Give me wisdom and knowledge\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

I am constantly in need of wisdom. There are so many decisions to make just in one day \u2013 what to do in a situation, what to say to somebody, whether to go to a certain event or not\u2026 Lord, please give me wisdom today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u00a0\u8bd794:1-11 \u6797\u524d6:1-20 \u4ee3\u4e0b1:1-17 God& […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":148,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bibleinoneyear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3374"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3375,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3374\/revisions\/3375"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}