Judgment
God does not ignore sin — He deals with it in perfect justice and mercy.
Original Word: שָׁפַט (shaphat)
Reference: Genesis 18:25
Meaning: To judge, govern, execute justice — to act as one who brings moral order.
When Abraham pleads for Sodom, he appeals to God's justice: 'Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?' — revealing that divine judgment is rooted in perfect fairness.
Judgment is not a popular topic, but it is a necessary one. If God is good, He must also be just — and justice demands that sin be addressed. In Scripture, judgment is never arbitrary; it flows from God’s holiness, righteousness, and unwavering commitment to truth.
To say God is just means He never overlooks evil, never excuses rebellion, and never lets sin go unpunished. Every wrong will be dealt with — either by being judged at the cross or at the final judgment.
Some claim the God of the Old Testament was angry and harsh, while the God of the New Testament is loving and gentle. But this is a false divide. God's character never changes (Malachi 3:6). The cross itself proves this: the same God who judged sin in the Old Testament is the one who judged it fully in His own Son.
Judgment in the Bible reveals both the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s grace — because the Judge is also the Savior.
God’s Justice: Righteous and Impartial
God is not like human judges who can be biased or inconsistent. His justice is rooted in His own holy nature. He sees all, knows all, and judges with perfect wisdom.
Scripture declares that He does not show favoritism (Romans 2:6–11), and He will repay each person according to what they have done.
Judgment in the Old Testament
From the flood in Noah's time to the exile of Israel, the Old Testament is filled with moments of divine judgment. These events show God's intolerance of sin — but also His patience and mercy.
Even in judgment, God gives warnings, offers repentance, and preserves a remnant. He does not delight in punishing — but He will not let evil persist unchecked.
Judgment at the Cross: Justice and Mercy Meet
The cross is the clearest display of God's justice. Sin had to be punished — and Jesus willingly bore that punishment in our place. God's wrath was not swept away; it was poured out on Christ.
Isaiah 53 says, 'It pleased the Lord to crush Him' — not because God is cruel, but because only through judgment could mercy be extended to sinners.
Final Judgment: A Day of Truth and Accountability
The Bible speaks of a final day when every person will stand before God (Revelation 20:11–15). It will be a day of exposure and reckoning — no secrets hidden, no injustice overlooked.
For those in Christ, judgment has already been borne by the Savior. For those who reject Him, judgment will fall on them alone.
Living in Light of Judgment
Judgment should not lead to fear, but to wisdom. Knowing we will give an account motivates us to live holy, humble, and urgent lives.
It also reminds us of the seriousness of the gospel — because if judgment is real, then salvation matters more than anything else.
Scripture References
- Genesis 18:25
- Exodus 34:6–7
- Psalm 9:7–8
- Isaiah 53:5–10
- Ezekiel 18:23
- Romans 2:5–11
- Romans 3:25–26
- 2 Corinthians 5:10
- Hebrews 9:27–28
- Revelation 20:11–15
God's judgment is not in conflict with His love — it is the proof of it. A God who ignored evil would not be good. But our God is good, and He is just. Every sin will be judged: either on the cross in Christ or in the final judgment. That reality gives weight to grace, urgency to the gospel, and clarity to our call. Judgment reminds us that sin is serious, God is holy, and Christ is enough.
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