Why Would God Judge People for the Way

Why Would God Judge People for the Way They Live?

“God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day” -Psalm 7: 11

“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. ”

We All Judge… According to… 1) What we value 2) Authority 3) Human Dignity

Who is God? God is NOT… • A projection of our needs • A cosmic therapist • A divine life coach • An amoral pushover • An impersonal energy or force • “The Universe”

Who is God? God IS… • Holy • Just • Good • The center of everything • Worthy of unending praise • Love

Who are People? People are NOT… • • • Worthless (matter and energy) Inconsequential Morally autonomous Able to exist independent of God Dispensable Objects to be manipulated

Who are People? People Are… • Valuable (Created in the image of God) • Possessing purpose • Morally accountable • Dependent upon God • Created for God’s glory • Created to love one another

We Judge… According to What We Value

God Judges… According to What He Values 1) His glory. 2) People.

God Judges… According to What He Values God values… His Glory: 1)“You shall have no other gods” 2) “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God…” 3)“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy”

God Judges… According to What He Values God values… People: 4) Honor your father and mother 5) You shall not murder 6) You shall not commit adultery 7) You shall not steal 8) You shall not give false testimony 9/10) You shall not covet

We Judge… According to Authority

God Judges… According to His Authority

We Judge… According to Human Dignity

God Judges… According to Human Dignity “The Bible says that God’s wrath flows from his love and delight in creation. He is angry at evil and injustice because it is destroying its peace and integrity” – Tim Keller

God Judges According to… 1)What He values (so do we!) 2) His authority (so do we!) 3) Human dignity (so do we!)

God’s Judgment and Ours… How Do They Differ? • God sees everything (we don’t) • God is patient (are we? ) • God takes consequences without retaliation (is this true of us? ) • God’s justice is restorative (is ours? )

The Judge of All is Judged