Aug 16, 2015
“What In The World: The Judgment of God”
Romans 1:18-32
And God Gave Them Up . . .
- Scripture tells us God brings judgment upon a people who defy Him in disobedience.
o God gave them up to the lusts of their hearts. (Romans 1:24)
o God gave them up to dishonorable passions. (Romans 1:26)
o God gave them up to a debased mind. (Romans 1:28)
- Scripture tells us God will execute final judgment at the end of history.
“But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” Romans 2:5
- The judgment before the end of the age. (Revelation 6-16)
- The seals, trumpets, and bowls (Final 7 years)
- The judgment seat of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
- All believers will be held accountable.
- The Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation 20:11-15)
- Scripture tells us that God poured out the wrath of His judgment on His Son, Jesus Christ, for all who would believe.
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.” Romans 5:8-9
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My words and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24
- Scripture tells us that for true believers, God’s judgment is not for our destruction but for discipline. (Hebrews 12:5-11)
“But when we (followers of Christ) are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:32
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:5-6
Why Judgment?
- The purpose of God’s judgment is to bring about repentance.
- Purify His bride, the Church (1 Peter 4:17)
- For a believer, to refuse to repent of abiding sin there is discipline.
- Awaken the spiritually dead to life.
- For an unbeliever, to refuse to repent of sin and turn to Christ is destruction.
God’s Kindness . . .
To have the opportunity to hear the gospel and respond in obedience to the gospel is an expression of God’s kindness that is to lead you to repentance.
“ . . . God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” Romans 2:4