Facing the Judge

Good Morning,

I would like to think that all people consider the future (the long-term, forever future), but we know most do not.  James warns about having the right spirit toward one another; he uses the powerful phrase, "the judge standeth before the door."  At the door, ready to enter, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords awaits; anyone with any good sense is fearful of that day.

James 5:9 “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

Every one of us will stand before the ultimate Judge. Parents and bosses, as well as social media judges, jury, and executioners will all stand before the Lord to be judged in perfect righteousness. That fact alone ought to produce some measure of mercy from us; for we all fail, and we all miss the mark.  As such, the Lord urges us to be merciful.   

James states another warning:

James 2:12 “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty."

We will be judged, but the Book sets forth perfect judgment. The Creator of the universe, not the opinions of society or the vote of the media, set the standard of right and wrong in motive and action, and He placed those standards in His Book, the Bible.  That Book will be our judge.  We have had it in our nation, in our bookstores, and, in many cases, our homes. God said that we have the Truth and are accountable for knowing it!  

Regarding “judgment," Jesus warned us to be merciful, for we will receive similar judgment in our time before the Judge of the universe.  

Matthew 7:2 “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

May we be careful about being slanderous, attacking others verbally, passing judgment on others, and especially seeking to destroy another; for that will be the kind of mercy and judgment that we will receive one day.  

Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Pastor