Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - JUDGMENT

 JUDGMENT

In Hebrews, it is stated that “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”(9:27). There are many verses and statements in the Bible which could be open to interpretation, often in a way that one would like the interpretation to infer, but the statement given above is really not one of these. It is pretty straight forward; each of us is to die once.

The second part of that statement, however, is not as often repeated or as well defined. After all, we can only relate to judgment as we know it, and it is quite obvious, in some cases, that judgment and justice do not at times correspond. Judgments, as we perceive them, are often modified by certain conditions such as: extenuating circumstances, innuendo, undue delay, and/or by human bias. In courts, judgment is at times modified by “tricks” used by either the prosecution or the defence. In other words, judgment is often not perceived as rendering justice.

However, the Bible does not indicate that such manipulation will be available when divine (heavenly) judgment takes place. Apparently no extenuating circumstances will be permitted for the judgment has already been rendered; we are all guilty. And the one chance to have that judgment reversed has already been offered to us; we have to decide whether to accept or not that chance because any judgment will be considered justice and, according to the Bible, will be based on seven principles (remember that number) which are worth noting.*

1. TRUTH: “…we know that the judgment of God is according to truth…” (Romans 2:2).

2. ACCUMULATED GUILT: “…in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,” (Romans 2:5).

3. WORKS: “…who will render to each one according to his deeds” (Romans 2:6).
                   “And they were judged, each one according to his works” (Revelation 20:13).

4. NO FAVOURITISM: “For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11) .

5. PERFORMANCE: “…for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified…” (Romans 2:13).

6. SECRETS: “…in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ…” (Romans 2:16).

7. REALITY not RELIGIOUS PROFESSION: “Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God…(but) do you dishonour God through breaking the law?…he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward…but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:17, 23, 28-29).

Judgment is coming at some time for each of us. It is something we all should be aware of and keep in mind.

*Seven Great Principles of God’s Judgment by William Newell as recorded in David Guzik’s Commentary on Romans