Handling the Judgment of God

Struggling with God's Judgment

I have always struggled with reading through the prophets in the Bible and understanding the judgment of God. It seems so harsh and punitive. Rightly so, it is because the people have rebelled against Him. The harder aspect for me has been when He speaks of wiping out His own people. In relation to being a believer, it can seem that God is precarious and willing to take back that salvation He offers. As I have begun a study in the book of Zephaniah, I have learned a different perspective.

"I will stretch out my hand against Judah

and against all the residents of Jerusalem.

I will cut off every vestige of Baal

from this place,

the names of the pagan priests

along with the priests;

5 

those who bow in worship on the rooftops

to the stars in the sky;

those who bow and pledge loyalty to the Lord

but also pledge loyalty to Milcom..." Zeph. 1:4-5

The people of God have turned from Him and followed and replaced Him with false gods. Gods that led the people to pursue comfort, wealth, and political influence that led to compromise. So, God speaks of His coming judgment, not just on the general population, but on His own people. This is hard because we want to see God as loving and merciful God alone. That He is, but sometimes "our vision and affections need adjusting so that we can focus on Christ." (Fries, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, 6). So, why bring judgment on His people? Especially on believers today who are covered by the grace and salvation of Christ?

Judgment is not punitive

Judgment for the believer is not punitive as the debt has been paid through the sacrifice of Jesus. It is finished by the cross. Fries helped me understand this better through Romans 8:1-2, "Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Fries explains, "In other words, while Christians may still sin, God's response to their sin has changed. Specifically, God will not punitively discipline His children." (Ibid,6) Judgment on believers is to correct. To change the nature and heart of the believer to reflect Him more. Again Fries helps, "God is going to judge the people that He loves, mainly because they have begun functioning as those who are not His own." (Ibid, 5) For those outside of Jesus's grace and salvation, judgment is punitive as a choice is made to reject that which was provided. So, for the believer judgment is seen in their life is designed to correct for a change of heart and nature rather than a punishment for the sake of damages done by disobedience.

Judgment is for the integrity of God

One of the 10 commandments is to not take the Lord's name in vain (Ex. 20:7). Jesus also spoke in His famous sermon that when we take an oath our yes should be yes and no should be no (Matthew 5:37). To claim Jesus by name and yet reject His character in our lives is to "defame the name of God (Ibid, 8). Fries explains, "WHen we misrepresent the name and character of God, we are not only guilty of engaging in a form of character assassination, we are guilty of preaching a false gospel (Ibid, 8). As the God of all things, the Scripture is clear that God deserves all glory and honor. If He is going to put His "name on the line" as we become His representatives (2 Cor. 5:11-21), then He bears the right to correct us for the sake of His integrity. 

Our Response

The cost of following God is actually high, but the question is whether its worth it. Even more, when God brings judgment on us as a corrective measure we are left with a decision. Do we accept it and pursue change or reject it? Both carry a cost, but which one is greater to us?