Okay, so I was thinking, what with this being the end of the church year and lots of talk about Jesus' coming (again) and the final judgment, why would we be judged again? Afterall, we believe that on the cross, we were all judged and found guilty (of our sins) and then through the resurrection we were given reprieve. But, we confess in the creeds that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. Why is this final judgment necessary and what will we be judged on? So I thought some more, and the best I can come up with is this:
Judgment is about salvation, right? The only "power" we have in determining our salvation is to deny God's offer of it to us. According to Luther, we cannot by our own power come to God's gift of salvation. But, we can say 'No!' and turn our backs on it. So given this, I am wondering if the only thing to be judged on might be whether or not we've denied God's gift to us. Otherwise, why else would there be a necessity for a final judgment and a need for us to profess it in the creeds? Sins have already been judged and forgiven. What else is left regarding salvation? It seems to me that whether or not someone believes the promise and the gift is "accepted" (in so far as we can simply accept something by not denying it) is potentially the only thing left that might result in an eternal separation from God.
We cannot fully know what the final judgment will entail, but I suppose this is as good a guess as anything else I've heard. What do you think?
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2 comments:
Rob,
Let me begin by saying, that I am very uncomfortable with the theme of judgment in the Bible. I just don't like it. I can't figure out how to put together the God who "...so loved the world that he sent his only son..." and the God who will ultimately save some and damn others. I really want to believe, and a big part of me really does believe in a God who will, ultimately, gather unto Godself all that God has created and loves.
You bring up a really interesting question, that I can honestly say I've never pondered (probably because I avoid thinking about judgment)...what is this final judgment all about if we have already been forgiven? You write, "I am wondering if the only thing to be judged on might be whether or not we've denied God's gift to us." My feeling is that if this is what we are judged upon then we are all in big trouble, but that's because I also believe that ALL we can do is say "no" to God. You seem to suggest that it is possible for us to not say "yes", but not say "no" either. I believe that when it comes to salvation ALL we can to is say "no" to God's gift...our constant sin is our "no". So I would also say that we can not in any way "accept" the gift...and that merely not denying it (which I don't think is possible) is not the same as accepting it.
So what can we do with regard to salvation...one thing only I think, and that is acknowledge that we need it. I think that all we can do is say, "I am a hopeless sinner and I need God's grace." I think that God does ALL the rest at that point. I was looking at the story of Jairus and the woman with the hemhorrage in Mark this morning. Here's two people who did nothing more than acknowledge their need before Jesus, and they were "saved." I think also about the tax collector in the temple beating his breast...acknowledging his sin before God. That is what it is to trust God...to acknowledge our sins before him beleiving that we will recieve his promised Grace and forgiveness.
As for Judgment and upon what basis we will be judged...it will probably sound something like, "what did you do for the least of these who are my children?...what did you do after I forgave your debts? Did you go out and do unto others as I have done to you...or did you go out and strangle the guy who is indebted to you saying 'Pay me what you owe!"
I think the question will be, "Did you share the gift that I gave you with your neighbor in need? or did you take the gift I gave you and stomp all over it?"
Thanks for your post Rob, you gave me a lot of food for thought...keep em' coming!
Good one hun. Keeps me thinking:)
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