Judgement or Justice

Judgement or Justice

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

For he has set a day when he will judge the world. Acts 17:31

                The defense attorneys have stated their case.

The prosecuting attorneys have shared the information received from police officers, medical experts, psychiatrists, witnesses, and the defendant as well. The case is now in the hands of the judge. The defendant stands ready to hear the judgement which side will win—guilty or not guilty? Will the decision be correct, fair, helpful and bring about peace? Will there be justice?

                When we think of God’s promises to us we may not think of God acting as judge being one of them. Yet it is because sometimes to us human beings, life is not fair. How we understand justice and how we interpret judgement makes a difference as to how we respond to decisions, verdicts, and the end results.

                There will come a day when everyone will be held accountable for their actions and inactions as they lived a human life on earth. This moment of accountability is when each person comes before God and God makes a decision about their eternal existence. Now this might sound scary—if you are guilty of some sins, but we are all sinners and have fallen short of God’s glory. And yet, we do not need to be afraid because a part of the promise God has made is that we are not alone. If we have said yes to Christ, then we know that Christ received the punishment for our sins upon him. Jesus is with us as our advocate extraordinaire! We just need to know whose we are by faith.

                These ideas were shared in discussions about God’s promises. But what about your promises which you made in your life?

                Parents often make promises and if these are not kept, the children soon learn that they are not worthy to be counted upon. Children make ‘pinky’ promises and sometimes we wonder why- yet there is sincerity in their hearts for the friendships which they define. But are the promises we make today worthy anything?

                There is a story of a man who promised to give his wife everything- including the moon. Each time the man saw a photo or an image of the moon, he would cut it out and she would put it on a wall in their home. Eventually, the woman realized that she really didn’t want the moon—but that the promise was more important.. He tried to fulfill his promise in the way he could. She did not need moon rocks—but the man himself. A lovely story because of his promises.

               

Reflection

Have you made promises you cannot keep? Or have not kept? What was the result? What does this mean for you and your faith at this time? How do we respond in our faith and knowledge of God?

God keeps his promises. We are to be like him, so let us remember to do the same.

PRAYER

Thank you God for keeping your promises- even the promise to one day hold us accountable for our life. Show us and remind us of your love for us given in Jesus and guide us to live always for you. Amen.