January 4, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Judgment Belongs to God

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Opening Prayer

Almighty God, You are the Sovereign of the universe, in charge of all things. I give You my praise and thanks.

Read Romans 2:1-16

[1] You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. [2] Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. [3] So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? [4] Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? [5] But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. [6] God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” [7] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. [8] But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. [9] There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; [10] but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. [11] For God does not show favoritism. [12] All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. [13] For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. [14] (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15] They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) [16] This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us” (Isa. 33:22). This is something we need to remember.

There are many ways of trying to elevate ourselves. Passing judgment on other people is one of them. Yet, Paul reminds us that when we judge someone else, we open ourselves up to equal scrutiny. The judgments we use against other people will be used against us and bring us under condemnation. Far better, then, that we leave all judgment to God and focus on our own shortcomings. That way we are drawn into repentance, where we receive God’s forgiveness, rather than usurp God’s authority. For judgment is God’s prerogative alone.

In our multi-faith culture today, Christians are more likely to speak about God’s love than his judgment, for this is the unique message of Christianity. Christ is the embodiment of the love of God, and his death is its greatest demonstration. Yet Paul reminds us here that God’s love and judgment go together. God has laid down the principles for our lives in his Law, and our conscience (15). Knowing the Law is not enough (13). God requires us to live by it, too, and seek after good. If we close our hearts and pursue self-interest, we can reasonably expect God’s judgment.

Paul does not shrink from talking of the Day of Judgment when God judges our lives. It will be a time of complete exposure when everything is laid bare and all secrets are revealed. Our own thoughts and motives will act as witnesses, sometimes accusing and sometimes defending us (15). Yet, we need to remember that our lives are always open to God. The psalmist reminds us that there is nowhere we can hide (Psa. 139:7-16). And we can always confess our guilt and bring our doubts and fears in prayer, confident that it is Christ–the one who loves us and died for us–who judges (Rom. 8:34).

Apply

Reflect on any times when you’ve usurped God’s position as Judge and sat in judgment of others. Repent, and receive forgiveness.

Closing prayer

Deliver me, Lord, from criticism or judgment of others. May they find in You the encouragement they need for this day.

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