SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDGMENT IN THE NT
Divine judgment is certain (cf. Matt. 12:36; 25:31-46; Acts 17:31; Heb. 9:27; 10:27; 2 Pet. 2:4,9; 3:7).
- The one who judges is (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDGE, JUDGMENT AND JUSTICE IN ISAIAH
- God (cf. Rom. 2:2-3; 14:10,12; 1 Pet. 1:17; 2:23; Rev. 20:11-15)
- Christ (cf. John 9:39; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1)
- the Father through the Son (cf. John 5:22-27; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16)
- Judgment is an unpleasant subject, but a recurrent theme in the Bible. It is based on several bedrock biblical truths. See
Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed., pp. 1207-1209
- This is a moral universe created by an ethical God (we reap what we sow, see full list at Gal. 6:7).
- Humanity is fallen; we have rebelled (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND).
- This is not the world God intended it to be.
- All conscious creations (angels and humans) will give an accounting to their Creator for the gift of life. We are stewards.
- Eternity will be permanently determined by our actions and choices made in this life.
- Should Christians judge one another? This issue must be dealt with in two ways.
- believers are admonished not to judge one another (cf. Matt. 7:1-5; Luke 6:37,42; Rom. 2:1-11; James 4:11-12)
- believers are admonished to evaluate leaders (cf. Matt. 7:6,15-16; 1 Cor. 14:29; 1 Thess. 5:21; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; and 1 John 4:1-6)
Some criteria for proper evaluation may be helpful.
- evaluation should be for the purpose of affirmation (cf. 1 John 4:1 ‒ "test" with a view
toward approval; see
SPECIAL TOPIC: TESTING (peirazō and dokimazō)
- evaluation should be done in humility and gentleness (cf. Gal. 6:1)
- evaluation must not focus on personal preference issues (cf. Rom. 14:1-23; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; 10:23-33)
- evaluation should identify those leaders who have "no handle for criticism" from within the church or
the community (cf. 1 Timothy 3)
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
SPECIAL TOPIC: ETERNAL PUNISHMENT
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