A Just Judge (Listen or Read)
A Just Judge
What kind of a judge is God? Can we count on Him to do what is right and fair for everyone? Absolutely! “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Ge. 18:25). Scripture abounds with references to His just and righteous judgments. Please reflect on these:
¨ Beaten… according to guilt….forty blows…no more (De. 25:2-4).
¨ All His ways are justice, a God…without injustice (De. 32:4).
¨ As he has done, so shall it be to him—fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth (Le. 24:19).
¨ The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether (Ps. 19:9).
¨ Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast (Ps. 36:6).
¨ To You belongs mercy; You render to each one according to his work (Ps. 62:12).
¨ He shall judge the world with righteousness (Ps. 96:13; Ac. 17:31).
¨ I know that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me (Ps. 119:75).
¨ Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men (La. 3:31-33).
¨ He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy (Mic. 7:18).
¨ Every transgression and disobedience received a just reward… (He. 2:2).
¨ Woe to you…you will receive greater condemnation (Mt. 23:14; Lu. 20:47). Greater than what?
¨ It shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment than for you (Mt. 11:20-24; Lu. 10:14). What kind of everlasting punishment would be “more tolerable” than another?
¨ God renders to each according to his deeds (Ro. 2:5-6).
¨ He who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality (Col. 3:25).
A generic infinite punishment for everyone contradicts all that Scripture declares about God’s just and righteous judgments. Statements like, “to each one according to his deeds” and “fracture for fracture—eye for eye,” fly in the face of infinite punishment. Each punishment fits its crime. God’s idea of justice is not different than ours. Yes, His ways are not our ways, but only because He has more mercy than we have, not less! (See Is. 55:7-8). These numerous passages demonstrate what is right for the Judge of all the earth to do in judgment.
References: See Bibliography page.
