God Will Judge
In these modern times, it has become popular for some to avoid the idea that God will judge righteously at Christ’s appearance. They mistakenly teach that Christ paid for the sin of the world, and that means the wrath of God was satisfied against all mankind, and thus, God will not judge. By teaching such things, they reveal that they are not paying attention to portions of Scripture that teach us the truth in this matter.
The New Covenant does not teach that God no longer has wrath and will not judge. Nor does it teach that there will not be a final judgment.
Here’s just one of many examples of what I am talking about in Scripture.
2Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus indeed took the sin of the whole world to Himself at the cross. He indeed atoned for the sin of the whole world at the cross. But it must be appropriated by faith on the part of each person. If the forgiveness provided and life offered is not received by faith, then it is not applied.
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Indeed, Jesus did not come to condemn the world. But that does not mean condemnation is totally out of the way and that judgment will not take place. John the Baptist said it this way,
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
The evidence of how God hates sin is throughout Scripture, and ironically, God went out of His way to make sure sin could be dealt with once and for all through Jesus the Son. It is because of the love of God that He hates sin so much. Sin brings death and destruction into people’s lives. It is why humanity is so messed up. But what is not true is the idea that Jesus’ work on the cross means that no one will ever experience the wrath of God or His judgment. Those who do not believe in Jesus and accept by faith His finished work at the cross will experience the judgment and wrath of God and will be punished in the Lake of Fire. It is a dreadful reality that no believer should ever want anyone to experience.
This is why it is so important for us as believers to love and care enough to share the good news of Jesus Christ with as many as we have the opportunity to do so. If it doesn’t matter one way or the other, the responsibility to be a witness dissolves. That’s what makes the error so dangerous. The reason for a continued witness is that this matter of where a person will spend eternity and experience separation and punishment for their rejection of such a gracious and loving offer hangs in the balance.
Everyone, regardless of what their current life appears to be, needs Jesus. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. Those who do not believe will perish and will be judged on that day. Let’s help others become aware of our amazingly wonderful God and our incredible Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Many still need to hear of His love and mercy revealed at the cross.
