From the Pen of Paul

Judgment

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

Judgment! The idea of judgment is a frightening thought to some; others scoff at the idea and even make fun of those who believe in a universal judgment. Will there be a day of reckoning, a day of judgment?

Judgment is just as certain as death. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). It is as certain as the Lord's resurrection. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31). It is as certain as other events promised by God which have been fulfilled. The Old Testament is full of such events. The fall of Samaria, the destruction of Nineveh, the overthrow of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity, the Promised land given to Israel, etc., are all examples of just how certain God's promises and predictions are. You can add to that list the hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah, all of which were fulfilled in the person of Christ. Then you also have the prophecies, and the fulfillment of those prophecies, concerning the establishment of the Lord's church in Jerusalem. And there is the prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24 and the fulfillment in A.D. 70. Is the judgment day certain? Yes, indeed it is!

It is in harmony with the conscience of man. Most people have a feeling of dread that some way, some time, somehow, we must give account for our actions. This fear plagues many people who are living in sin. If the principle of justice is true, then there must be a judgment. Consider the men in history who have been responsible for deeds too hideous almost to contemplate. There must be a judgment for men like Hitler, Stalin, Nero, and the like. Consider the serial killers, even in our day, who, for no reason at all, have murdered, mutilated, raped, etc. If the principle of justice is to prevail, there must be a day of reckoning! Read Matthew 25:31-46.

What do the Scriptures say? "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Cor. 5:10). "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:10-12). Even the Psalmist spoke of the judgment. "But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment" (Psalm 9:7).

Who will be our judge? At first glance, and just a casual reading, some passages indicate that God, the Father will be our judge (Acts 17:30; Heb. 12:23). However, the judging will be done by the Father through His Son or by His Son. Study carefully these Scriptures: Acts 17:30-31; John 5:22; II Corinthians 5:10; II Timothy 4:1; and Acts 10:42. Christ will be our judge for a number of reasons. He is the Son of man (John 5:22, 27). He is able to understand both the viewpoint of God and the viewpoint of man. He understands the viewpoint of God because He, Himself, is deity (John 1:1, 14; Phil 2:6). He is able to understand the viewpoint of man because He lived in the flesh (John 1:14; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 4:14-16). The same principle is involved in his being our mediator (I Tim. 2:5).

It is fearful to think of being judged by Jesus when we realize that our excuses will not work. But, it is also wonderful to think of being judged by Him because He did live as we live (Heb. 4:14-16). Jesus knows what it is to be tempted. He is our Savior; He died for all. But on that day He will be our judge. Judgment! Are you ready for that day?
—Paul Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

Jealousy and Envy

Jealous and envious people are very hard to please. In fact, we do not know that they can be pleased except when all others fail. Envious people are not happy when others do well. If others fail in business, this pleases them. If others succeed in business, then the envious person is very unhappy. If a person is known for being wise, then the envious person is unhappy. If the other fellow gets into a high position, then the envious person tries to tear him down. Even in good and worthy causes envious people are not happy with success. If one gets attention for his service rendered, the envious person is not happy with this. If a worthy institution is successful, the envious person is very unhappy with this. If one becomes a fine gospel preacher in the eyes of God, the envious preacher is made to be miserable.

The envious person hates good elders in the church. The envious person hates a good congregation of the Lord's people. An envious person stays unhappy all the time if he is not consulted and used as he thinks he should be. Envy is destructive by nature and is deceptive to the possessor. The envious person blames various things for his wicked ways and doing. If one has money, the envious man says the possessor got it by wicked doings. If one is exalted to a high position by being active and industrious, the envious man says he got his position by wicked doings and conniving. Envy is an eye-blinder and thwarts the right way. The world is full of it and it often gets into families. It is sad but envy often gets into congregations of God's people and when it does there is "strife, confusion and every evil work" (James 3:16). Envy comes from self-centered people. Are you envious and jealous?
—Malcolm L. Hill

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