“Don’t go to hell!” That was the title of a video that YouTube really helpful I watch; I’m trying to not take that personally. The content of the video was a street preacher standing on a soapbox, decrying the sinfulness of everyone around him. With vigor and venom, he ranted:
“You will all be judged! You might be judged before Christ and all of the ways in which you’ve forsaken His might be called to account. His will is ideal and righteous, and He has prepared a spot of everlasting darkness for individuals who live aside from him. So Repent! So that you would be able to stand in the ultimate judgment and never be condemned.”
For many individuals, descriptions of wrath and condemnation come to mind after we approach the subject of judgment. Judgment is inherently condemning. Christ’s judgment of humanity, due to this fact, is about casting away all that doesn’t meet his holy standard. Appearing before Christ’s judgment, due to this fact, is a fearful proposition.
But is that this what Paul meant? Was Paul saying that Christians must be afraid of that moment after we stand before Christ’s glory? Is Jesus the dour-faced judge who will pour over all of the bad and horrible things we have now done? Will Jesus hurl divine retribution upon us if we so deserve? This seems to betray the excellent news that Paul continually proclaims in his second letter to the Corinthians.
This shouldn’t be what Paul is saying in any respect. In fact, Paul’s point is that the judgment of Christ is antithetical to the condemnation-based judgment of the world. Jesus got here not to sentence the world but to save lots of it (John 3:17). Thus, the judgment seat of Christ is the best way of hope and life. Below are three explanation why we don’t must fear being judged by Jesus.
What Is the True Meaning of Christ’s Judgement?
We are at all times in theological danger at any time when we excise a verse from its context. This is commonly what is finished with the verse above. We read the statement about appearing before Christ’s judgment in complete isolation. Yet after we accomplish that, we are able to mistakenly interpret this verse to mean that Christ’s judgment is to be feared. After a lifetime of faith, we should find yourself before Christ’s judgment and find ourselves condemned.
When we expect this fashion, we easily slip into works-based righteousness. We imagine that we’d like to placate the indignant judge and that the work that we do on earth helps us earn our place before God. Yet this shouldn’t be what Paul is saying, and it goes against the foundations of our faith. Scripture is obvious that we’re saved “Through faith, by grace, in order that nobody may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is a present given by the nail-pierced hands of Jesus.
It is due to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that we live in confidence before God. Paul writes, “God who made us for this purpose (to be clothed with life) has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what’s to return” (2 Corinthians 5:5). The Holy Spirit inside us guarantees that we’re destined for everlasting life through the graceful love of Jesus. Christ’s judgment, due to this fact, is an expression of hope and style. Given the Spirit’s assurance of what lies inside Christ’s judgment, we live our faith lives in confidence, trusting the Spirit’s testimony. Christ’s judgment is something we look ahead to.
What Lessons Can We Draw from Corinth’s Approach to Judgement?
Judgment was well-known to the Corinthians. Corinth was a serious City within the Roman Empire, a middle of trade and commerce, philosophy, and debate. The city was also well-known for having a big, ornate marble structure called the Bema Seat. The Bema Seat was the place where trials and accusations can be heard; it was a spot of judgment and condemnation. In fact, during his first visit to Corinth, Paul himself was hauled before this very judgment seat. The Book of Acts records,
“While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. ‘This man,” they charged, ‘is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” – Acts 18:12-13
Paul stood before Gallio’s judgment seat as one accused of against the law, awaiting the judge’s verdict. This is the judgment seat of the world. The judgment seat of worldly power is one in all condemnation and death. It serves only to render a verdict on one accused. As much as we’d give voice to the adage that “all are presumed innocent,” this shouldn’t be how worldly judgment works. Judgment is inherently accusatory, and the one who stands accused has their sins and misdeeds aired before the judge.
For Paul, the judgment of Christ is a reversal of the everyday way the judgment seat was understood. Paul is convinced that “there’s now no condemnation for individuals who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). On the cross, Jesus has removed every voice of accusation over our lives. Furthermore, Paul writes “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect, it’s God who justifies!” (Romans 8:33). Such statement produce confidence in us that we’ll never be separated from the love of God in Christ.
When we stand before Jesus, we don’t wear an orange jumper and stand accused. We stand free in a love that illuminates who we’re as people made in his image, who take part in his death, and who’ve the Holy Spirit as a downpayment.
Why Should We Embrace Christ’s Judgement with Joy?
Appearing before Christ’s judgment seat shouldn’t be something to be feared but embraced. It is a moment of life, not death, and style, not condemnation. Furthermore, Christ’s judgment serves to disclose who we’re because the beloved children of God. When Paul writes that we must “appear” before Christ, he uses a word which means “To be revealed – to be made known, to be illuminated.” Christ’s judgment reveals us.
Scripture is consistent within the gospel message: Jesus shouldn’t be an indignant judge needing to be placated. Jesus doesn’t critique us; he doesn’t pour over our lives with a red pen circling all our infractions. Jesus’ final judgment over our lives is a moment of grace wherein, with astounding intimacy, Jesus reveals the depth of his love for us.
If we expect that the tip judgment is a moment of reckoning by which we’re weighed on the balance of divine retribution, we’ll at all times be afraid. We won’t ever know where we stand before God, and regardless that we may discuss grace and love, we’ll at all times query if we have now done enough to tip the scales positively. And while it’s true that we should ‘make it our goal to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:4), we accomplish that out of affection, not fear. It is the love of Christ, not the fear of him, that urges us on.
Ultimately, it is sweet news to listen to that we might be judged. This message gives us hope because Christ’s judgment is further testimony to his unyielding love for us. Christ’s judgment is the moment by which we’re ushered into everlasting life.
Make no mistake; you might be judged, and it can be glorious. Hallelujah.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Mint Images – Tim Robbins
