What kind of judge is God?
God is the pinnacle, the final boss, the last stop, and the final authority. The Bible says he is great beyond comprehension, the Most High God, the Almighty God.
“For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22 ESV)
“The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.” (Psalms 7:8 ESV)
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.” (Revelation 19:11 ESV)
Judge means “to pronounce sentence, to vindicate or punish, govern, litigate. From Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary.
God is all-powerful. (Jeremiah 32:17)
God is everywhere. (Psalm 139:7-10)
God knows everything. (Psalm 139:1-4, Proverbs 15:3)
God created everything. (Genesis 1:1)
God created mankind. (Genesis 1:27)
God is holy. (Psalm 99:9)
God hates sin. (Psalm 11:5)
God is eternal. (Exodus 15:18)
God is love. (1 John 4:16)
God is patient. (Romans 15:5)
God is jealous. (Exodus 34:14)
God is just. (Isaiah 45:21)
God is truth. (Psalm 86:11, John 4:16)
God is compassionate. (James 5:11)
God is merciful. (Exodus 34:6)
God knew what would happen when he created us with free will, the ability to make our own decisions. (1 Kings 18:21, Joshua 24:15)
God is fair. He does not follow opinions or feelings. He is Truth. He told us how to behave and the consequences of disobedience.
God will not be mocked. There comes a point with disobedience when enough is enough. (Galatians 6:7)
God’s punishment can range from a sting to total destruction.
God gave you a way to be forgiven. It is a gift you cannot earn, but like any gift, you must accept it to receive it. (John 3:16)
Mankind was corrupted by sin through the first humans, Adam and Eve, by Satan. (Genesis 3) You know that we are weak, lazy, corrupt, prone to drunkenness, idolatrous, corruptible, and more.
God and Abraham created the Hebrew nation to become his beacon of hope on the Earth. The world would see God’s power as they defeated their enemies, and the world would come to know God. (Genesis 12:1-3).
The plan was for the world to see God’s glory. ( Isaiah 60:21)
The Old Testament is their story of honor, obedience, and worship.
The Old Testament is their story of forgetfulness, betrayal, and abandonment of the God of Creation.
The Old Testament is the story of God’s repeated appeals, forgiveness, and punishments.
The Old Testament is the story of the people’s inability to maintain a good relationship with God.
This was all part of God’s plan to show that, left to ourselves, people are capable of grievous evil.
The Old Testament contains more than 300 references and prophecies about the coming solution (Jesus Christ).
The New Testament tells of God sending his Son, Jesus, to earth as a human. (John 3:16-17)
Jesus came to teach us how to be reconciled with God by turning to him and away from sin and evil.
Jesus came to show us how to find hope, peace, and joy in our lives.
Jesus came to pay for our sins so that we can be reconciled while we live, and when we die, we can live with God in Heaven forever.
The New Testament is about Jesus’s life, purpose, and teachings.
The New Testament tells us how to live and how to interact with God and each other.
The New Testament tells us how the world will end: the rise of evil, the return of Jesus, the final battle, and God’s coming to live with mankind on a new earth. (Revelation)
The New Testament tells us God wins. (Revelation 20:7-10)
Throughout the Bible, we see that God is a God of more chances.
To receive another chance, we have to be truly sorry and do our best not to repeat the mistake. This is called repentance.
Throughout the Bible, we see that God is patient. He lets things go on for a long time.
Throughout the Bible, we see God sending lessons and warnings to turn back to him alone.
Throughout the Bible, we see that when God finally says “enough,” He can be severe in his punishment.
So, what kind of judge is God?
He is pure, holy, loving, patient, kind, honest, true, and perfect.
He sets clear boundaries, knows your heart, and does what He says He will do.
He is unwavering. Sin is unacceptable in His presence.
He is always willing to take you back if you repent and turn away from sin.
If you ignore God, you may or may not suffer on earth. If you die on the wrong side of the line, though, you will not be allowed into Heaven. (Revelation 20:15)
Dear God,
I am often weak, selfish, greedy, resentful, and more. Most of all, I am guilty. I am guilty of thinking, saying, and doing things that go against your commands. I am new to this and may not have fully known everything I did was bad. I realize that does not absolve me. I am asking for your help to understand you and to lead me to repentance.
I am soaked in the teachings and immorality of this world. Please reveal the lies and traps that surround me. Help me find the Bible’s instructions I need for each day. Please send people who will help me onto your straight and narrow path. Help me understand that your way brings structure, meaning, and freedom to my life. Help me avoid sticking forks into the wall sockets of life.
I’m told you know everything about me, including my deepest thoughts. I’ve read this far because there is an ember of something inside me calling me to you. I want to know and live in Truth. Please help me learn more so I can feel the full warmth of your love for me.
Amen