Episode 15: Judge the Living and the Dead | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
Breaking Down the Apostles’ Creed: Judgment, Hope, and Living Boldly for Christ
As we continue to explore the foundations of our faith, we delve into an important aspect of the Apostles' Creed — the reality of judgment. Judgment is often misunderstood and feared, but for us as Christians, it holds profound significance. Not only does it shape our understanding of God’s justice, but it also fuels our hope and empowers us to live boldly for the Lord today.
The Assurance of Judgment in Our Faith
We live in a world that is fixated on the future. People constantly seek to know what’s ahead, often looking to fortune tellers or financial experts to predict their futures. The Bible, however, assures us of what is to come, particularly in terms of judgment. As Christians, we are not left in the dark about our future. The judgment of God is not a cause for fear but for hope.
We can look back to the past—remembering what Adam and Eve did, how the world fell into disarray, and what Christ accomplished on the cross. Through His death, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement, Christ has already secured our future. For those of us who follow Him, the promise of judgment is not something that should scare us, but rather empower us to live for Him today, knowing that God will one day bring His kingdom to fulfillment.
The Judgment of Believers
The first judgment we want to discuss is the judgment of believers, which has already happened in Christ. This is crucial for understanding how we stand before God. In the Gospel of John (John 5:24), Jesus reassures us: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
For believers, judgment is not about punishment for our sins. Jesus has already paid the price for us. This is not a new concept in the Bible—Psalm 103:12 and Isaiah 43:25 echo this same message, promising that God will remove our sins as far as the east is from the west. When we stand before God, He will not see our past mistakes or failings. Instead, He will see Christ in us, clothed in His righteousness. This is incredibly encouraging, knowing that our sins are fully forgiven and we are part of God’s family because of what Christ has done.
Judgment of the Nations and the Second Coming of Christ
While believers are already secured in Christ, there is another judgment to come—the judgment of the nations at the second coming of Christ. This is a future event that will be as unmistakable as it is significant. The Bible tells us that when Christ returns, every eye will see Him. There will be no confusion; it will be clear to all that the Lord has returned.
In this judgment, Christ will separate the sheep from the goats—those who have followed Him from those who have not. This is not just an individual judgment but a time when the living nations will be judged based on how they have responded to God’s call. This judgment highlights the seriousness of our role in serving God and living according to His will, both as individuals and as nations.
Living with Hope and Boldness
The certainty of judgment, both past and future, should not fill us with fear but with boldness. As we understand that Christ has already paid for our sins and that our future judgment is secure in Him, we are free to live for Him today. We are called to use the talents, gifts, and resources God has given us to serve Him and glorify His name. Whether it’s through our work, relationships, or community, everything we do is an opportunity to live for the Lord.
Our hope lies not in what we have done but in what Christ has done for us. His righteousness covers us, and one day, He will return to set everything right. Until then, we live in anticipation, empowered by His grace, to live boldly for His kingdom.
The Great White Throne of Judgment
The Bible describes the great white throne of judgment as a time when the dead will be raised, and all people will stand before God. It's a serious moment, especially when we consider that this judgment is for those who have not accepted Christ’s offer of salvation. For the believer, this is a time of rejoicing because we are already secure in God’s grace and have been spared from this judgment.
The thought of this judgment can be both intimidating and awe-inspiring. On one hand, there will be no acquittals or second chances. The books will be opened, and our lives will be examined. As one pastor suggests, imagine seeing the worst 30 minutes of your life laid out for all to see. But here’s the comfort for us as Christians: we know that God's justice is perfect and holy. There will be no mistakes. God’s judgment will be clear, fair, and righteous, and everyone will know that God got it right.
For those who have rejected Christ and refused His invitation to repent, the outcome of this judgment is stark. The Bible speaks of a place of torment, which we refer to as the lake of fire. It’s a difficult truth, but we believe it is ultimately just, because God offers forgiveness and life to all who will accept it. It is not something God wants for anyone, but those who reject His invitation must face the consequences.
Living in Light of the Judgment
As we reflect on the great white throne judgment, we are reminded of how God’s justice should motivate us today. It gives us hope, knowing that one day God will right all wrongs, especially in the face of global persecution. Recently, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a radical group beheaded 70 Christians, a horrific reminder of the suffering many of our brothers and sisters face for their faith. But we take comfort in knowing that God will bring justice. He sees everything, and nothing escapes His notice.
This hope for justice should also move us toward repentance. God invites us to turn to Him now, while there’s still time. When we acknowledge our sin and ask for His forgiveness, God, in His kindness, grants it immediately. Why would we hold onto our sin when it’s already been paid for by Christ? Repentance is a gift that helps us avoid the fear and consequences of facing that judgment seat.
A Call to Share the Good News
Ultimately, the knowledge of the coming judgment should spur us on to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. If we truly believe that this judgment is coming, we must not keep this message to ourselves. Penn Jillette, the famous magician and atheist, once said, “If you really believe that someone is going to hell and you don't tell them about Jesus, you've got to hate them.” This is a powerful challenge for us. If we really believe in God’s judgment and grace, we must be motivated to love others enough to share the gospel with them.
As we live in light of this truth, let’s remember that God’s perfect justice is balanced by His great love and mercy. The good news is that through Jesus, judgment has already been taken care of for those who trust in Him. Our job now is to live out that truth, share it with others, and wait with hope for the day when God's perfect justice will finally come.
May God bless us as we continue to reflect on the Apostles' Creed and live in anticipation of His coming Kingdom.
