Today's Worship: The Lord - our only judge.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 4:12,

 

"There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?"

 

Here is a passage that is cause for both a sense of freedom as well as sober reflection. The Lord is the only lawgiver and judge. It is before him and him alone we must stand and give an account of our lives.

 

There are many who would assert their expectations on the rest of us. Many who hold ecclesiastical positions within our churches, do-gooders and the like who feel a propensity to tell the rest of us how we need to be living our lives. In my case they are probably always on target. In any event, it is a relief to know that when it comes to what really matters, we have only One before whom we must give account. To be sure, he does delegate his authority to others in our lives, such as parents, the civil authorities, legitimate leadership within the church, etc. and we should be listening to them, primarily because the Lord has placed them in our lives for his purposes for us and he has told us to.

 

We read in Hebrews 4:13, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Here is the sobering part. One day all will have to give an account of themselves before the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:5 tells us, "Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." Also, "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. God 'will give to each person according to what he has done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism." Romans 2:5-11.

 

The above verses makes clear to me that, apart from Jesus Christ being my advocate before our heavenly Father as my judge, I have no hope. Only an expectation of coming doom. However, I do have Jesus Christ at my side and he is my advocate. He paid the penalty for my sins. He died that I might have life. He bestowed his righteousness upon me that I be found acceptable before our Judge. He made a way for me to sit at his table, he has decided to share his inheritance with someone as unworthy as me!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

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Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com