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FOUR PRINCIPLES OF GOD'S JUDGEMENT
Way yonder in the past Abraham spoke of God saying, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 8:25). Here we learn that God is the Judge of all men. And obviously from all we know about God, He will do what is right. Abraham knew that long ago and we have the Bible, the complete revelation from God which tells of the character of God. We can know of a certainty that God is just and will do what is right. The Bible reveals to us that there are certain principles of judgment according to which God will judge men. Paul spells them out as follows: “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel,” (Romans 2:16). Let us consider these four principles. The first principle here is that there is a “day” - a time yet future – when God's judgment will be complete. None shall escape. The saved shall be judged at one time and later the wicked dead will be judged and cast into the lake of fire, the second death. Just as it is appointed unto man once to die, so afterward is judgment. The date is fixed by God! The second principle is that nothing shall be hidden in that day. God will judge “the secrets of men.” Here on earth men and women may cover their sins successfully from other people, but there is no hiding them from God. The Bible says about God: “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do,” (Hebrews 4:13). The third principle is that Jesus Christ will be the judge. Paul preached these words: “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he [God] will judge the world in righteousness by that man [Jesus Christ] whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead,” (Acts 17:31). God's righteous judgment is guaranteed by the resurrection of Christ. Men claim to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, but they do not know it is a guarantee of their own resurrection and judgment. When Christ returns it will not be as God's Lamb, but as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to judge and punish sins. The fourth principle set forth is that men will be judged, as Paul said, “according to my gospel.” Men and women will be judged not only for their secret and open sins, but in relation to the gospel. What is your relationship – your connection – with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ? The question is not do you believe these truths in your head, but have you believed – are you trusting solely in the finished work of Christ. Are you one “of them that believe to the saving of the soul,”? (Hebrews 10:39).
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