Bible Study

Title: The Righteous Judge
Date: Mar 25, 2011
Topic(s): Salvation, God
Scripture: Genesis 18, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Romans 2:16, 1 John 1:5, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Deuteronomy 32:4, Romans 3:6, Acts 10:42, Ephesians 2:4-5

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U.S. District Judge Isaac Charles Parker presided over the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas for 21 years during the late 1800s. He is remembered today as the "Hanging Judge" of the American Old West. Even though his record shows he was stern but fair, his nickname kept any criminal from assuming leniency.

The Bible teaches that God is the Judge of all mankind. What can we expect from Him?

What Does God Say?

"Abraham ... stood before the LORD, 'Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?'" (Genesis 18:22, 25, NLT).

Abraham had occasion in Genesis 18 (Read Genesis 18:16-33 if you wonder about the circumstances) to ask God, "Won't, You, the Judge of all the earth, do what is right?" And the answer is:

"He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright he is!" (Deuteronomy 32:4, NLT).

"If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world?" (Romans 3:6, NLT).

"This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all " (1 John 1:5, NLT).

1. What is the major truth in the above scriptures?
2. What do they teach you about God?
3. How does knowing God is a fair judge impact your life?

My Thoughts

Not only will God judge us fairly and accurately, but His judgment will be thorough and all-inclusive.

When "the Lord returns.... he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due" (1 Corinthians 4:5, NLT).

"God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad" (Ecclesiastes 12:14, NLT).

Read Acts 10:42 and Romans 2:16 and answer the following questions:

1. Who has been appointed by God to be "judge of all"?
2. Who does the "all" include in Acts 10:42?
3. What part of your life does Romans 2:16 specifically mention?
4. Does the thought of that make you uncomfortable?

My Part

We are in desperate need of God's mercy. In Christ, God has, in His great love, offered us just what we need--mercy.

"God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV).

Thank God right now for His great mercy, His love for you and that you know that someday, when you are judged, He is a fair Judge.

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