Daily Good News – Jesus’ Judgment

Aug 2, 2015 2053

 

“God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17).
“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged” (Mat. 7:1).

These two texts contain two very important, but different, meanings of the word ‘judge’. In the first statement, the idea of judging is the opposite of salvation; in other words, judging means condemnation. Jesus told Nicodemus that he didn’t come for that purpose; instead, he came to save.

But Jesus also commands us not to judge others. In other words, if we look down on others, condemning them in our hearts, then we ourselves are automatically condemned. The reason is that when we do that, we are forgetting that we ourselves are also sinners, and jointly guilty of the blood of Christ. There are no first class-seats at the foot of the cross.

The focus of the follower of Christ must be the same as his focus, one of forgiveness, acceptance, healing, and restoration. Then we are truly his sons and daughters. This is the attitude of the person who has the heart of Christ.

The ministry of Jesus on earth was not a ministry of judgment; it was a ministry of mercy; the time of the judgment was not yet. If the Father has placed all judgment in the hands of the Son, then we must do likewise (John 5:22). And if you really want to understand what the judgment is all about, look to the cross. There you will see how God views sin, but more importantly, how God views sinners.

 

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