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The Daily Word of Righteousness
The Judgment Seat of Christ Is in Session, #3
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (I Peter 4:17)
Which leg of the seeming contradiction should we stand on? Should we accept the popular view of John 5:24? John 5:24 is reinforced by Romans 8:1 which teaches there is no condemnation resting on those who are abiding in Christ.
Or should we receive I Peter 4:17? I Peter 4:17 is reinforced by II Thessalonians 1:5, which declares that our sufferings are a "manifest token" of God's judgment which comes on us so we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God. We are suffering under God's judgment so we may be found worthy of the Kingdom.
Which is the more important of these two verses? Which should we stress? Which of the two should we employ as a "key verse"? From which should we derive our understanding of the plan of salvation? Which should we use to guide and modify our interpretation of the other? Which of the two verses should we discard as being less inspired?
Obviously we can choose neither one as more important, more valid than the other. Both concepts have proceeded from the mouth of God.
From Genesis to Revelation the Scriptures are inspired by God. No truth of the Kingdom of God contradicts another truth. The seeming contradictions provide the balance of revealed truth. The reason one Scripture appears to contradict another is that we ourselves are lacking in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
We do not arrive at truth by employing favorite verses as "key verses." We arrive at truth by saying Amen to all of God's Word and then waiting for the Holy Spirit to make plain to us the several aspects of the doctrine under consideration.
John 5:24 and I Peter 4:17 complement each other. John 5:24 states that the individual who is abiding in Christ, continuing to hear Him and to believe in God, is dwelling under the blood of the covenant. He is free from judgment—judgment in the sense of condemnation and death. John supports this concept.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (I John 1:7)
In order to remain without condemnation we must be walking "in the light" of God's will, as far as we know His will. Accepting Christ as our Savior is not a ticket to Heaven. Rather, it is the opening of the door to the "way of righteousness" (II Peter 2:21).
John 5:24 uses the term condemnation, or judgment, in the sense of Divine condemnation and wrath. I Peter 4:17 uses the term judgment in the sense of Divine discipline, of correction to righteousness.
The two ideas of discipline, and condemnation, are brought together in I Corinthians 11:32:
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
To be continued.