Topical Bible: The Judgment: The Certainty of, a Motive to Faith

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The concept of divine judgment is a central theme throughout the Bible, serving as both a warning and a motivation for faith. The certainty of judgment underscores the righteousness and justice of God, compelling believers to live in accordance with His will and to place their faith in Him.

Biblical Foundation

The certainty of judgment is established early in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, the prophets frequently warned of impending judgment as a consequence of Israel's disobedience. For instance, the prophet Amos declares, "For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity" (Amos 5:18-20). This theme is echoed throughout the prophetic books, emphasizing that God's judgment is inevitable and just.

In the New Testament, the certainty of judgment is further affirmed by Jesus Christ and the apostles. Jesus speaks of the final judgment in Matthew 25:31-46, where He describes the separation of the righteous from the wicked, illustrating the eternal consequences of one's actions and faith. The Apostle Paul also emphasizes this certainty, stating, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

A Motive to Faith

The certainty of judgment serves as a powerful motive to faith, urging individuals to seek righteousness and align their lives with God's commandments. The awareness of an impending judgment encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual growth and obedience over worldly pursuits.

The Apostle Peter exhorts believers to live holy and godly lives in light of the coming judgment: "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness" (2 Peter 3:10-11).

Furthermore, the certainty of judgment underscores the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ as the means of salvation. The Gospel of John records Jesus' words: "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son" (John 3:18). This passage highlights the critical role of faith in escaping judgment and receiving eternal life.

Encouragement and Assurance

For believers, the certainty of judgment is not only a warning but also a source of encouragement and assurance. It affirms that God is just and that He will ultimately vindicate His people. The Book of Revelation offers a vision of this final judgment, where the faithful are rewarded and the wicked are punished: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and there were open books. And one of them was the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books" (Revelation 20:12).

This assurance of divine justice provides comfort to believers, knowing that their faithfulness will be recognized and that evil will not prevail. The certainty of judgment thus serves as a compelling motive to maintain faith, persevere in righteousness, and trust in God's ultimate plan for redemption and justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 28:16,17
Therefore thus said the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Certainty of Our Justification.
... Certainty of Our Justification. ... that as the just Judge He ever could pronounce a
judgment that is ... to God, yet we must inquire: What is God's motive, and how ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii certainty of our justification.htm

The King on his Judgment Throne
... Christian beneficence has consciously for its motive the pleasing of ... The irrevocableness
of the judgment. ... he abjures for himself dogmatic certainty, and dreads ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the king on his judgment.htm

The Angel of the Everlasting Gospel.
... The great motive, to be held forth to induce men to ... of idols to that of God, was
the certainty of the ... of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the angel of the everlasting.htm

The victory of Faith
... the manner, love the matter, love the motive, and love ... battle throughout life; fighting
with a certainty of victory ... meet you at the bar of judgment, recollect I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the victory of faith.htm

Secondly, the Motives by which the Christian Religion Enforces the ...
... has been already said concerning the judgment of the ... obedience or disobedience, are
a motive perfectly agreeable ... general believe the truth and certainty of them ...
/.../xi proposition xi secondly the.htm

The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ...
... cause of its answer, but that the certainty of that ... avowedly [4669] inaccessible
to the highest motive, the fear ... I tell you, that He will do judgment on behalf ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xix the three last.htm

The Counsel of Gamaliel.
... a strong feeling of hue inanity, and the suggestions of a well regulated judgment. ...
We are not able to point out with certainty the motive, which induced ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vii the counsel of.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... gospel any farther than to make a judgment of them ... of ours foreseen by God, and the
motive that prevaileth ... Son Christ Jesus; 'Being justified by faith, we have ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Weighed, and Found Wanting
... 'The recompense of the reward' is not the motive for doing ... comply with, and so make
it a certainty, 'only rebel ... does not go on to the awful judgment which was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/weighed and found wanting.htm

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Duty to New and Old Man.
... yes, utterly regardless of God and the judgment day ... from this cheerful confidence,
this certainty and joy ... but fraudulently disguising its wicked motive under the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/nineteenth sunday after trinity duty.htm