our ultimate Judge

The Word for today:
Judges 21

As we look back over the book of the Judges, we look forward to the ultimate Judge whom their stories anticipate…

The LORD as Judge--the Judges delivered the Israelites from their enemies and decided disputes, but behind them stood the ultimate Judge, Jesus Christ:

Let the Lord, the Judge, decide the dispute this day.  (Judges 11:27)

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. (John 5:22)

There are different kinds of judgment in the Bible:

1. Judgment against unbelievers — “Great White Throne” Judgment. (Revelation 20:11-15)
At the great white throne, those who have not by faith accepted Jesus’ death as sacrifice for their sin will bear the penalty for their own sin. Not one is perfect, and the just penalty for sin is severe—eternal death (see Romans 3:23). Remember that eternal death in the Bible is not cessation of existence, but eternal separation from God.

2. Judgment for believers — “Judgment Seat of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Believers will not be judged for their sin, because Jesus was judged in our stead. Once we have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin, God no longer holds that against us—our slates have been wiped clean.

Believers will be awarded to the degree in which we have served him. Everything we have done will be ”revealed by fire.” Those deeds of faith with lasting value (“gold, silver, and other costly stones”) will come out of the fire glowing more brilliantly than before. But those things without lasting value (“wood, hay, and straw”) will leave behind only a pile of ashes. Thus God will determine each believer’s reward:

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:11-14)

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