Purpose in Judgment (Listen or Read)¨
¨ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights (Pr. 3:11-12). God chastens to correct, just as human parents do. Whom He loves He corrects. Whom does He not love? See “His Love” chapter 2..
¨ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful… but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (He. 12:5-11).
The Lord loves all people and we can rest assured all will be chastened in the same spirit seen here. “Afterward” it yields fruit. That is purpose! But there can be no “afterward” with infinite penalty. Kalen Fristad, a United Methodist minister and author of Destined For Salvation, wrote regarding Jer. 3:12-3, 22; 9:13-6; 32:37-8:
God allowed the Babylonians to conquer and enslave the Israelites for the purpose of getting them to return to Him….The purpose of biblical punishment is to make a wrongdoer a right-doer. If hell is endured without end, the experience would be of no value to an individual because there would be no chance of his embracing good, repenting and attempting a new beginning….Suffering from which nothing can be learned or gained is meaningless, and the one who brought it about would be a fiend not a father. We as parents discipline our children, not for the sake of punishment, but in order to encourage change. Surely God is at least as honorable as any parent in this regard.4
Christ warns us as believers; more is required of us:
Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parableonly to us, or to all people?” And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. I came to send fire on the earth…” (Lu. 12:41-49)
This passage is a warning to believers. What is the threat? To be cut in two and appointed our “portion” with unbelievers. Believers judged with unbelievers? Why should we be shocked? Does not the judge of all the earth do right? What is this “portion?” Many stripes! Not unending stripes. This is confirmed moreover by the use of the word “portion.” To have a “portion” of something fits with a measured judgment (Mt. 7:2), not with an eternal one. This is exactly how judgment in the lake of fire is expressed, “shall have their part in” (Re. 21:8).
Also, these “stripes” are associated with “fire,” the symbol of God’s purification process. Fire is something positive that everyone will be “purified by” (Mk. 9:49 GNT). See also page 212.
Is this parable the only text where we see believers being appointed their “portion” in judgment with unbelievers? Re. 21:8 list eight categories of sinners with unbelievers singled out. This indicates, if we are honest, that the others include believers. That agrees with this parable and the opening words, “He who overcomes.” How many of us have glossed over this list feeling self righteous about ourselves? Should we be so confident? Reflect on them a moment.
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly [Are you courageous?], unbelieving [Do you believe all God’s promises?* Ro. 4:21], abominable [Are you ever proud? Pr. 6:16-17], murderers [Are you ever angry? Mt. 5:21-22], sexually immoral [Do you ever look with lust? Mt. 5:28], sorcerers, idolaters [Do you ever covet? Col. 3:5], and all liars [Do you always tell people what you really think?] shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Re. 21:7-8). Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1Co. 10:12).
*Especially “Proclamations” chapters 6 & 7.
Let us stop sweeping under the carpet the fearful parts of Scripture and denying the obvious. We who believe have been given much, and thus much is required of us (Lu. 12:48). The warnings are very real. Neglect them to our peril. But let’s keep this in mind:
In ancient Eastern literature, exaggerated expressions and metaphors to accentuate concepts are intended to grab the reader’s attention and not meant to be taken literally. This is typical oriental style as mentioned on page 226. The critical thing to remember in any strong language describing judgment, is the character of the Judge and the purpose of His judgments.
God “is” Love with no “buts.” All His judgments are exacted in love with a just, righteous, and remedial purpose. This truth draws our hearts to sincerely love God with our whole being, brings true peace, and harmonizes the Scriptures.
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In this chapter we have seen that: God is perfect in justice, infinite penalty is not just, death is no obstacle to God, and numerous passages demonstrated His good and remedial purpose in judgment. Though there are mysteries about God’s judgments (Ro. 11:33), there are no mysteries about His nature, justice, and impartiality. Let us now consider the bigger picture of God’s unfailing plan for all.
References: See Bibliography page.
