In our modern society, we often think of judgment as negative or even evil. Because of that, some people wonder Are christians forbidden from judging?

The problem is that we misunderstand that judgment can be a good thing. Judgment can bring justice to those who have been transgressed against. Without a judgment, there is rarely restitution. A lack of judgment allows those who do evil to continue to target more victims. Judgment brings deliverance to victims.

We have such a case in Exodus 12. The Israelites were enslaved by Egypt. God in His sovereignty had allowed this. Part of the reason is that they too were in sin by following the false gods of Egypt.

Pharaoh and the Egyptians were not only sinning by keeping the Israelites as slaves, but they were mistreating them greatly. Pharoah and the Egyptians refused when God, through Moses, called them to let God’s people go. Because of this refusal, judgment was brought upon them.

This judgment would be through 10 plagues on Egypt. If we were to look at the plagues in a vacuum, they would potentially seem unjust and unfair. But understanding the sins of the Egyptians makes us realize that these judgments were just. 

Through this judgment, Phraoah and the Egyptians finally let the Israelites go. Through God’s judgment of the Egyptians, came the deliverance of the Israelites. Judgment and justice often work hand in hand.

This is much like the judgment and justice of our salvation. There is one big difference though. Although we are the ones who sinned, Jesus was the One who was judged. He paid the price, and we are the ones who are delivered. In the end, His judgment paid for our sins and freed us from them. Isaiah 53:10a says, “yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him [Jesus] he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt,” 

Do you see judgment as a form of justice? Do you see how Jesus took the judgment for our sins in order to deliver us?

Thanks for taking time to read this Maddening Theology post. If you enjoyed this content you can find Pastor Tim’s sermons at www.cornerstoneforestcity.org. You can also join us at 520 Marion St. Browndale, PA 18421 on Sundays at 10 AM. To make following the blog easier you can also register. You can also join us on Facebook at Cornerstone Forest City. Also, don’t forget to download our APP on iTunes  or Googleplay.

TOPICS: deliverance, judgment, Exodus, 10 Plagues