Judgment

*Judgment.* We hate that word. We don’t want people to judge us. One of the embarrassments of being a Christian is that the Bible is full of stories of judgment. And, of course, the Bible also promises God will one day gather all of the wicked people from throughout time and judge them.

But isn’t God a God of love? Why would He be so harsh with people?

The answer lies in sin. We as humans have brought brokenness into the world through the bad things we have done. Our world has become a place full of hatred, violence, and pain. But God is merciful. He did not leave us alone to our sin, brokenness, and death. In His kindness, He stepped into our brokenness to offer us salvation from it. When Christ came, His kingdom began breaking into this world of sin. And His church has been growing ever since.

Christ is making a new world, a perfect one. A world in which all people will love Him and love one another. A world in which there will be no sin, no hate, no pain, no death. A world in which His righteousness—His goodness and sinlessness—fills everyone and everything.

Those who don’t love Jesus cannot be a part of this world. If they reject Him, they reject the only Source of life, justice, and hope (John 14:6). They have no place in a paradise without sin since Jesus is the One who takes it away and who supplies all of the righteousness. Since He will be the center of this new existence, if someone hates Him, there is no reason to think they will want to spend forever with Him and His people.

The gospel is less about *what happens* to those who reject Christ and more about what they will miss: Jesus Himself, reigning over a perfect world free from death and filled with nothing but love and peace between God and people (Revelation 21:1-8). • Kevin Zeller

• Where do you see evidence that the world is completely broken by sin?

• How does the anticipation of a world of righteousness affect the way we think about judgment?

• Still have questions? That’s okay! Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can talk with about the questions you have? (You can also find more information about Jesus and His plan to destroy
sin and death by checking out our “Know Jesus” page!)

But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13 (WEB)

Read Verses:

2 Peter 3:3-12