Can Judgement be Good
What do you think of when you think of judgement? Is it the judge in a criminal court proceeding over a person’s freedom, life, or death? Or is it all the judgement you have received at the hands of people? Maybe for you it is Judge Judy that comes to mind. And then again you may think of God’s final Judgement.
What is Judgement
There are many things that we may consider when we think of judgement. I could give supporting evidence for all those listed above. Let me point out that the judgment we receive from other people is not “judgment” in actuality it is only opinion. The ability to form a judgement is done with good sense, it is objective, wise and has authority. Here is what I found at dictionary.com
2.the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely, especially in matters affecting action; good sense; discretion: a man of sound judgement.
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We allow ourselves to be affected by what we call judgmental people when really, we are giving an opinion to much authority. Authority said opinion doesn’t posses until we give it over. Much like a bully rules the playground we let other people’s opinions push us around. Let us stop giving opinions the power to judge. I think there is a whole other article on this subject, however, for today this is not my focus.
Fear of Judgement
I tend to think of judgement as something to be avoided. Do you feel the same? I’m guessing most of us feel this way. This is primarily because of sin which brings shame. Shame is a double-edged enemy sword, of sorts. The longer we hide it the harder we fight to keep it hidden. Shame becomes more shameful the longer it has sat in hiding. It is a monster that grows in the dark.
The double-edged shame sword is a very effective weapon of Satan. I examine how our enemy uses each edge of this sword to keep us trapped, in Shame, Satan’s Ammunition.
In our human, worldly thinking judgement has become a dreaded and feared monster that only criminals should have to face. Right? Because “I haven’t committed any “real” crime and I know that I am better than most people.” Each of us could provide a list of examples if we were put on trial. For now, the question at hand is whether judgement is to be feared or not? Take a minute to consider this before you keep reading. How do you feel about judgement?
Have you given it some thought?
Great, let’s look at what the Bible has to say
“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:14
“Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: For they shall eat of the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked? It shall be ill with him: For the reward of his hands shall be given him.”
Isaiah 3:10-11
God is Holy and Just
First let’s establish that God wants everyone to be with Him in love and grace, for all eternity.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
God created us with free will that means that we each have a choice, we can accept Him or reject Him. I firmly believe that God would never do anything to take our free will away from us. And I also firmly believe that God desires for every single person to be with Him throughout eternity. Looking at this above verse in 2 Peter I think God is saying that He will never give up on you. He will never give up on anyone. If there is even the slightest chance of that person turning back toward God, God will not stop trying. The Lord knows our hearts and it must break His heart when He sees that one of His creations, that He loves, is lost to Him with no turning back.
Have you ever heard of the “Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson? It is an old poem that talks about how God chases us. Below is a link of it being read. Well worth the 10 minutes, if you have it.
The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson
Judgment Day
Yes, each person will stand before God one day. However, those of us who believe and have faith in Jesus, have forgiveness which means that our sins are gone. Christians will not stand in judgement we will stand before God in grace and receive our rewards. Those who have rejected God will stand in judgement.
Remember, forgiven sins are as far as the east if from the west. And we are counted as righteous because of the work of Christ on the cross, through faith.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalms 103:12
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Romans 4:5
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
Rewards
On the day of judgement, those who are counted righteous will receive gifts, rewards for persevering, for being faithful and obedient. I hope to be as faithful, obedient, and to persevere more than humanly possible (I know I’m dreaming big), and not because I want a reward. Because I want to see more and more people standing in grace receiving rewards rather than punishment. God is holy and just. So, I know each judgement will be more than fair, they will be correct.
Still I can’t imagine it will be easy to watch judgment being handed out by God who dearly loves each person and gave each one every opportunity to receive rewards rather than judgment. Thinking of all the sin that Christ took and put to death at Calvary to pay a debt that would not be accepted, is absolutely crushing. I have explained this in detail in The 3rd Side of Forgiveness
I would love to know your thoughts on judgement, has this information helped you to see that God wants to judge us for our good, and forgive us for our sins? Why? Because He loves you!
Link up Parties
I occasionally join the following link up parties! You should join me, I would love to see you at one or two!
Monday –
Bloggers for the Kingdom @ #KingdomBloggers Anita Ojeda @ Inspire me Monday
Random-osity @ The Good The Random The Fun Mary-andering Creatively @ #LMM LinkUP
Tuesday –
Trekking Thru @ Trekking Thru the Week Mary Geisen @#TellHisStory
Insta Encouragement @ Weakly Christian link-up Anchored Abode @ AnchoredtruthTuesday Kelly Balarie @ Purposeful Faith
Wednesday-
Worth Beyond Rubies @ Weekly Wednesday
Welcome Heart @ Let’s Have Coffee Soaring with Him @ #Recharge Wednesdays
Thursday – Debbie Kitterman @ #Tune in Thursday Be Thee Inspired @ #destinationinspiration Lori Schumaker @ #momentsofhope Unshakable Joy @ I Heart Verse Link Party
Friday – Counting My Blessings @ Faith N Friends
Embracing the Unexpected @ #graceandtruthlinkup Crystal Twaddell @ #FreashMarketFriday
I’m visiting from the LMM link up. I’m God that God is perfectly just. And while that’s scary, we’re safe when we believe on Him because He provided a way to justly forgive us in Christ’s death.
I’ve also often thought that if we’re not willing to subject ourselves to judgment, we’ll never know we’re in the wrong, and we’ll never seek forgiveness.
Thanks for visiting with me, Barbara. True we can’t grow if we don’t know where we need change. Change is a good food for growth. Hope to see you again soon. 🙂
You are so right about the opinions of others! Great post!
So glad you stopped by, thanks for visiting!
Debra Jean, I like the way you differentiate between judgment and opinions. I let peoples’ opinions define my view of myself for too many years. God has shown me that His judgment of me is all that really matters, and that He sees me through a lens of love. You shared so many good verses on this topic. Thank you!
Thank you Jeanne, so glad you took time to visit and share with me today.
So many helpful thoughts to consider! Thank you! How freeing to remember that the judgmental of other people is opinion.
Yes, and opinion shouldn’t hold any power over us. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment 🙂
You’ve definitely highlighted many of the feelings the word judgement can indeed evoke.
Thanks for offering us wisdom from God’s word regarding a Scripture view of the word judgment and how it applies to our lives.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and so pleased that you stopped by to visit with me today. 🙂
Really good thoughts, here, and I appreciate your defining the terms.
What kept coming to my mind as I read is that God has equipped believers to exercise sound judgment, but we err when we slide over into condemnation of one another.
Yes! God judges the heart, and we really can’t know the heart. So, grateful for your visit today.
It’s nice to read a post filled with Scripture references concerning judgment. God is our Judge and as you mentioned, He is Just and Righteous. His judgment will be true. I am thankful that I am a believer, loving God with all my heart and will not have to face Him on Judgment Day for unbelief but instead will receive my crown.
Visiting you from Salt and Light!
Amen Cindy! Thanks for the visit and taking time to comment. 🙂
Great post on judgment Debra. We Christians love to talk about God is love, but He is also a holy God who Judges. I like your incorporation of Scripture here. I think that is so important to be able to back up your blog post with God’s Word. Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thank for visiting Patsy! I really enjoyed your post too… although I can’t find anywhere to comment…?
We have to judge righteously, the NIV says, Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly. John 7:4, great article.
Yes! Although, I’m glad God judges my heart. As actions are often misconstrued by others. Thanks for visiting today 🙂
This line really stood out and struck a chord with me, “Christians will not stand in judgement we will stand before God in grace.” He covers us in grace not judgment. We just have to take it all to Him.
Amen Brittany! And He is always quick to forgive. Thanks for stopping by 😁