Who am I to judge God?

Thursday 5-21-15 (Viedma, Argentina)

Scripture reading:  1 Kings 7    2 Chron 4    Ps 98     Rom 2

S.  Ps 98:9  For the LORD is coming to judge the earth.  He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. NLT

Rom 2:5-8 For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done.  He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.  But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds.  NLT

O.  Both the Old Testament and the New teach clearly about a coming judgment day.  God is called the “Just Judge”.  The Word clarifies that He will judge severely against sinners.  It is obvious throughout scripture that Our Holy God sees sin much darker and more grievous than we see it.  In chapter 3 Paul clarifies that all have sinned and are thus duly condemned.  But there is hope.  Some will “seek after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.”  Later in this great treatise on God’s offer of salvation, written to the Romans, Paul clearly presents that “offer” as a free gift, purchased at great cost by Jesus, and waiting to be received by condemned sinners. 

A.  I am acquainted with people who stumble over the harsh presentation of a tormenting hell.  I believe God’s message is trying to convey to us the desperate seriousness of sin in the eyes of a holy God.  It presents the apparent hopelessness of the situation that we have placed ourselves in, but then tosses us a life-saver.  When we grip it, trusting in his gift of salvation, we have the assurance of “the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.”

P.  Dear Lord Jesus, the story of Your life, Your sacrificial death and resurrection is clearly presented in Your Word.  And You plainly tell us that when we have seen You, we have seen the Father.  If we can trust You, we can trust the Father.  And now, Father, we are assured that You will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.  Yes, I suffer for those who are marching down the road toward a future of an eternal hell in separation from You.  I cry out for Your mercy to reach them.  But I must understand that I am in no way qualified to judge Your just judgment.  So I will hang my eternal destiny upon Your wonderful “offer of glory and honor and immortality”, Your merciful offer of the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

Ralph