Forgiveness is not a cosmic do over
God as Judge is one of the basic tenants of a biblical view of God. To judge means to consider, render an opinion, and announce the verdict. We normally think of judgments in a punitive context, but the concept is much broader. For example, in athletic events there are judges who hand out trophies (rewards) for accomplishments. Scripture teaches that God is our Judge who has the authority and power to judge mankind for good or evil.
Although not very visible in current Christian culture, the subject of judgment is a consistent theme from Genesis to Revelation. It is a critical part of the gospel and a biblical worldview.
Much of the story line of the Bible is about God judging man’s performance and issuing a verdict whether positive or negative. This fact does not contradict any of the other characteristics of God. For example, there is no judgment of God that is not loving as well as just.
The first Doctrine to be denied, according to the Bible, is the doctrine of judgment. In many disputes about God and religion, this pattern often repeats itself, because if you can get rid of that one teaching, then rebellion has no adverse consequences, and so you are free to do anything.(DA Carson, The God Who is There, p32)
The theme of judgment can be categorized as past, present, and future. I have listed several important judgments under each as a way to highlight a very complex subject. We need to consider them especially in light of the atonement, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Past Judgment (Eden –Gen. 3:14-18)
1. Physical and spiritual death (Gen. 2:17)
2. Conflict socially and with nature (Gen. 16-19)
Present Judgment
3. Moral decay and degeneration (Rom 1:18-22)
4. God’s fatherly discipline (Heb. 12:4-11)
Future Judgment
5. Final Judgment for those without Christ (Great White Throne)
6. Stewardship judgment for those in Christ (2 Cor. 5:10; cf. Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:9-14; 9:24-27)
Reconciliation through the cross has a major impact on understanding the above spectrum of judgments. Specifically, reconciliation overcomes spiritual death but, it does not eliminate all the consequences of sin. The conflict between people and with nature remains with us as God’s judgment from the past and it will remain until we begin life in the new heaven and earth. Forgiveness and reconciliation do not remove us from the struggle and pain of this judgment/curse because of man’s fall.
In the present, moral decay is evident in our broken world. We are impacted by it whether we are complicit in it or not. Paul teaches in Romans 1 that when people continually reject God and His revelation through nature, He eventually removes His hand of protection and “gives them over” to the natural consequences of immorality. People and cultures that continually deny God and His authority and sovereignty over all that He has created, will drift further and further into immorality and its consequences … dragging all of society with it.
As His children our loving heavenly Father will also judge, correct, discipline and chastise us. It is part of our birthright (Heb. 12:5-6). The New Testament gives us several examples of the judgment/discipline of the Lord:
1. The seven churches in Revelations Rev. 2-3
2. Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5
3. Misusing the Lord’s Supper in 1 Cor. 11:29
Although God’s discipline of His children today may not always be as dramatic as these examples, we should not become complacent and think He will not discipline us. Rather we should be grateful He does because, although painful at the time, it “produces a harvest of righteousness and peace…” (Heb. 12:11).
The future, final judgment of condemnation has been eliminated for those in God’s family of faith, but there will still be the judgment of accountability (Behma) … not from the standpoint of sin but of stewardship. Although the picture of how this will impact our future remains cloudy, there is no doubt of the continuity between this life and the next. Being reconciled, dying physically, or experiencing the return of Christ will not provide a “do-over” for believers. There will be no cosmic eraser that eliminates our history and level of responsibility. Paul states it this way:
“Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:13-15).
Paul, in his anticipation of being home with the Lord also wrote:
“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:9-10).
In conclusion, being forgiven and reconciled to God has not eliminated all forms of God’s judgment. This fact should motivate us to avoid a casual or cavalier attitude regarding our relationship with Christ. In the book of Hebrews we are reminded to come boldly into His presence, but that does not mean carelessly.
Here are several observations to consider as we live out our reconciled relationship with God:
- We are all under the judgment of God (Acts 24:15-16) and that is sobering (Heb. 10:31-32).
- His judgments are loving as well as just.
- His punitive, correcting, or rewarding judgments (verdicts) can be immediate or deferred.
- The atonement eliminates condemnation but not accountability (Rom 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:10).
- Forgiveness is a “start over” not a “do over”: not a “delete” key on our computer (Gal 6:7-8).
- God’s judgments provide a proper motivation for discipleship: holy living and stewardship (2Cor 5:10; Acts 24:15-16).
Question for reflection:
Why do you think the teaching about the judgments of God have become marginalized in our current church culture?
Ron, would you please expand on “Forgiveness is a “start over” not a “do over”: not a “delete” key on our computer (Gal 6:7-8).” I’m sure it’s something simple but I often miss the simple. Thanks, Doug
Doug
The concept is that all actions have consequences. A word spoken in anger hurts others. Confession and forgiveness may lighten the effect but not erase it. Sin has consequences that are part of the moral law of the universe. We can repent but it does not erase the causal event or its consequences. King David repented, was forgiven, and was called a “man after God’s own heart”. But the consequences of David’s sin affected the rest of his life. Had there not been no repentance, the consequences would have been worse.
A “do over” in the computer game world lets you go back to the beginning and start over as though it was the first time. No consequences from earlier games. Life is not like that. A start over allows for a new beginning but the beginning point is different than before.
Like in the laws of the harvest, we sow what we reap. If we sow good, we will reap good. Sow evil and reap evil. Once sin is sown, we can pray for a poor harvest but we do not control the harvest only the sowing. Paul writing about grace in the book of Galatians ends with the warning of Gal. 6:7-8. Forgiveness is relational concept not an event eraser.
Another related question to wrestle with is, with repentance and forgiveness, “Does God forget our sin?”
RB
Ron,
The computer game analogy turned on the light bulb. I knew it would be a simple explanation and you made it so.
Thanks,
Doug
Terrific, Ron
In terms of God and his recollection of our sins: Being God he cannot forget, but, being God he can determine to”not remember no more” Heb. 10:17
bob
Addendum: (sp?) this “remembering no more” is a chief component of forgiveness.