The Coming Judgement

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

(Acts 17:30-31 ESV)

A time is coming when God will judge the world. He has been amazingly patient with us, as we all have lived lives that dishonor him. But he warns us many times in his Word, that a day of judgement is coming. 

We will all one day stand before God and give an account for our lives. Are you ready? If you are relying on your good deeds to help you in your case before God it won't work. Our good deeds are like filthy rags. We cannot do anything to earn our salvation. We can only earn death and the wrath of God.

God is the only one who can make provision for you. It cost Jesus his life. To survive the judgement of God you must repent of your sins, and trust alone in Jesus' death and resurrection as suitable payment for your sins. 

Have you done that? Are you completely secure in your eternal salvation?

Persistance

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

(Luke 18:6-8 ESV)

Jesus makes a stark contrast comparing God to an unrighteous judge. Even a bad judge will do the right thing when pestered enough. How much more will God listen to us when we come to him with our injustices?

So, the obvious question is: are you taking your injustice to the Just Judge who will hear and act? Unlike the unrighteous judge Jesus describes, God wants us to come to him.

What concerns, trials, and injustices do you need to take to God? Will you persistently bring your case before him and watch with faith for His response?

Faith in a Just God

“The Rock, his work is perfect,
for all his ways are justice
A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,
just and upright is he."
(Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV)

Our God is a Rock. We can stand with Him and His Word, and don't have to worry about sinking. He is trustworthy and faithful. He has been and will forever be completely Just and without any faults. 

When someone doesn't understand what is going on. When troubles come and our faith is not on God and this knowledge of who He is, we may be tempted to think of God less than he is. We may try and find fault in his character. 

Some may question God and wonder how he could allow a circumstance to happen. We don't have all the answers because we are not God, but we can know who God is. 

Just this one verse tells us so much about him. And if we take these characteristics and truths to heart, we won't be in a situation to question God. 

We will trust God, knowing that his ways are perfect. That nothing happens arbitrarily, but for a good purpose.

The next time you face a trial that tests your faith, look to the character of God and know that even though you can't understand it, God's ways are honorable and you can trust him with your life. 

Putting God in a Box

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly,

and to revive the heart of the contrite.

(Isaiah 57:15)

We can often put God in a box. We might think of God as being high and lifted up, but that is all. Or we may think of him as beying so close to us, but that he is not so high and Holy. 

God is both. He is Holy and Righteous and lives lifted up. He is God and there is no one like him. But he is also dwells with us. He is with those that are low in spirit and humble. 

God is always bigger and mighter than we can even imagine. So, we need to stop putting him in a box. A box can not define or restrict God. When we put God in a box we are restricting our faith in Him. 

Remember what Jesus said in the gospels. There is nothing impossible with God. Remember that the next time you are tempted to put God in a box.