God’s Judgment Is Always Redemptive

I’ve been reading and editing my husband Rich Mikelson’s Feast of Tabernacles teachings for several years now and have benefitted so much from these understandings! God has been writing them on my heart along with the rest of the treasure house He is creating through years of walking with Him.

Recently, in one of Rich’s posts about mercy and justice, the statement, “God’s judgment is always redemptive,” burned itself into my heart. This statement is an answer to a long-time search for understanding God’s judgment in contrast with human judgment. He judges righteously with a perfect union of His mercy and His justice. In His perfection, God the Father is both mercy and judgment. He is always merciful, and His judgment is certain.

Because He is love, He has the perfect balance between the two.

“Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalms 85:10 AKJV

Now, this is something I have found most difficult for us human beings to achieve with others! It is challenging to resist being judgmental, including judging others for their critical and condemning attitudes and behaviors! When we judge others who display critical judgment without compassion or understanding, we find ourselves in the unhappy dilemma of being judgmental about others who are judgmental!

Judgment of the behavior and choices of others is typically made from what is seen, heard, or reported by others. Rarely do those who are judging have information about the heart, history, or circumstances of those they judge. Check out any of today’s social media platforms, and you will see just how rampant and even vicious people’s opinions of one another can be.

Whether it is politics, sports, business, or personal life choices, judgment displayed with lack of love seems to be thriving, even in Christian communities. Such judgment is the reason the great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi said, "I like your Christ, but not your Christianity." (as quoted by Dr. J.H. Holmes. 1927).

As with Gandhi, judgmental attitudes and opinions displayed by Christians and the conflicts these generate are a common “turn-off” for those who have not met the Lord. It’s an ugliness that is far too commonly displayed, even among close Christian brothers and sisters. Yet showing apparent approval of ungodly things is not the answer either. It’s impossible to agree with everyone and still be true to our own Christian beliefs.

Clearly, God’s judgment differs from human judgment, but how are Christians to display godly judgment? There are things that are wrong, sinful, and missing the mark that God will not wink at in our lives or the lives of others. So, how do we show mercy and compassion to others whose choices differ from ours? How do we exhibit love and mercy that does not seemingly agree or approve of what we know is not according to God’s word?

Consider what Paul taught Timothy about dealing with others from a pure heart:

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:22-26 NIV

God desires us to have the right motives of the heart because that’s where our words begin. We are to edify and lift up others, particularly those in our faith communities. When God’s love is the master of our motives, His love will check our spirit, pricking our conscience when we say critical, judgmental things about others that tear down rather than build up. More than one Christian has had their testimony or even ministry destroyed by words spoken by others who neither know nor care about the effects of their words. Without mercy or grace, words hurt!

“…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16 Berean

There is only one way we can grow the Body of Christ: by building each other up in love. As we mature, growing up in the Lord, we become more skilled at speaking His truth in love. Love is the strongest, most powerful force in the universe! What people will do and how they can change under the power of true and faithful love is amazing! God is able to teach us to show love and mercy to everyone, even though we disagree or even hate what they might do.

We all need to be covered in grace and love when we are in this battle to live the right way, God’s way, in our sin-filled world. We can leave the judgment to God as He draws those missing the mark —which is all of us—more powerfully. There’s a God-place in all of us that brings an awareness of the very things about which others are judging us. Deep down, where God’s seed is, there’s a hidden awareness of falling short. This can be quenched and eventually deadened in some who practice evil on a daily basis, but it is still there.

Humans are usually unaware of what is in that person’s heart when we judge another. Careless or critical comments are discouraging, rather than strengthening, for hope of any possible change. After all, what can one expect from a person who believes they are so bad that there is no hope for them? Most of us would be surprised at the self-condemnation that is never displayed in others' hearts who seem to be doing wrong without conscience.

God gives wisdom not to speak words that are wasted on those without conscience or ability to hear. We are not to “cast our pearls before swine” but, instead:

“…Therefore, encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Berean

We are to encourage each other along the way, building each other up and edifying our brothers and sisters in love. God’s way is not our way. He does not look at what a person is doing or judge casually or carelessly. His judgment always has the purpose of change. It is always focused on redeeming us! Is that the pre-eminent motive for us Christians when we judge another individual or group? Is it impossible that some self-righteousness and superiority are harbored in our hearts when we do this?

The apostle Peter says this to Christians:

“Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV

This, above all, includes every single thing that we judge when someone misses the mark. Covering sins is not the same as excusing, denying, or ignoring them. We lay the blanket of love over the sins of others, covering them rather than broadcasting them. We see them there but cover in mercy and compassion rather than expose them. It is God’s choosing, not ours, to expose the unrepentant behavior of others.

“Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value and only ruins those who listen.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:14-16 NIV

Speaking negative things about others is so easy, particularly with our intimate friends! So many motives other than love can be present in our hearts. Perhaps we want to be understood or desire to gain sympathy, get attention, appear to be “in the know with the inside scoop”, or display our righteousness in contrast to the person we are discussing, or even be gossiping under the guise of a prayer request.

We can also catch ourselves repeating past judgments and holding them in our hearts when we have no current idea of what has transpired. Here is when we need more coverage in love and less exposure of others. Paul further told Timothy:

“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2 Timothy 2:16 NIV

The words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts are to be pleasing to the Lord, as David says in the Psalms. Love and respect–what we social workers call unconditional positive regard–is displayed just because someone is another human on the planet. It is acceptance of humanity as is, as God sees us all. Who else knows everything about us and loves us just the same? Can we show God’s nature to others who choose to reveal their innermost struggles with us or when God allows us to see the hearts of others?

When we understand that human judgment rarely works to redeem another, our ears are open to learning what life-giving spiritual principles of God are available in the matter. There are untold examples of many Christians who have committed grievous errors against God and man who have been redeemed by the love of God in His people. The most dramatic of these is the conversion of Saul, the persecutor of Christians, to Paul, a great apostle of Jesus Christ.

Christians should be known, particularly for their love for others. We have His love, an unlimited source within us, so we go to the Source of love when we don’t have what we need. “They will know us by our love.” Well, do they? Redemption from our old ways of judging by external behavior or appearance leads to new life in Him. In our human judgment, we prioritize many things that God does not seem to care as much about.

Faith through love is the only answer, as Paul told the early Christians who were being persuaded to get circumcised according to the Law. He said if you insist on part of the law, you are required to fulfill it all, nullifying Jesus Christ’s sacrifice:

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” Galatians 5:6 ESV

God does not look at or evaluate our righteousness by all the outward things our society, specific culture, or even Christian community relies upon to measure the godliness of a man or woman of faith. How we treat one another is much more important than the sins of the flesh we love to condemn. We can learn to deal with others through His judgment and mercy that are never separate in Him. This is godly judgment, coming from the pure heart of love God has for the world.

God does not change His standards, but He does change what is in our hearts. It’s not a matter of pretending not to see what misses the mark (sin), but a choice to focus on the love of God, to see others with empathy and compassion. Learning to speak the “truth in love” is a most refining characteristic God is working within His people.

Even when we don’t speak our judgments out, as many in this age are doing, we still need them purged from our hearts to be more like our Lord. When we speak to others with these things hidden in our hearts, we speak with guile, which is unacceptable to God.It is not that we cannot see or are not given spiritual discernment about what is righteous. It is about the attitudes of our hearts when we do.

God always prioritizes having the character of Christ working in our hearts, which will flow out into righteous behavior towards all. Understanding that God’s judgment is always redemptive means that His heart, His sole purpose and intent, is always and eternally focused on redeeming or saving the individual. Always. God looks at a man's heart to see the underlying motives of human behavior and judgment.

Judgment with condemnation rather than compassion causes a loss of hope for many who have struggled with sinful conditions, often with history that we know nothing about. To put it bluntly, it doesn’t help! Even well-meaning but continual correction meant for good is discouraging to others. Watch a child being raised with continual criticism and judgment for their failures. A child who is repeatedly told she or he is worthless or bad loses hope, often becoming what he or she hears.

Everyone needs someone to believe in them, encouraging them on their way. When a person is criticized for every mistake, regardless of its purpose, belief in self and the ability to change lessons rather than increases. And what sense does it make to judge others according to our principles when many people do not even know these same spiritual life truths by which we are living?

Others’ choices and behaviors are often incomprehensible to us outside their situations. We have not faced all of the past and present things that others have walked through. How do we presume to understand and empathize with an issue or problem, let alone repeat it to others, when we have not personally dealt with it? Only God can work this within when we have not walked the same path.

We can learn to empathize with another’s pain and suffering as we understand what it is like for them in their particular troubles. We also can learn when someone treats us in a way we would never dream of treating another. God says:

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NASB

Treating others well is no guarantee they will treat us well in return, but it does increase the chances! We do it to please our Lord, not to gain a reward from man. God is building this principle into good character within us. Though it should not be so with Christians, it is rare for others to treat us well when we are not treating them well!

When we expect others to treat us well, as we have treated them, it is disappointing when they don’t! Sadly we cannot earn being treated well by others. God will teach us what we need to know as we humble ourselves to learn. We need to listen to others with a heart that desires to understand. So many people are isolated, having no one to care, let alone share their struggles. But when we hear what experiences another has lived through, instead of judging them, we often wonder, considering their history, if we would do as well as they are doing!

It is very easy to judge someone’s actions by outward appearance, by what we can see externally, but that is not God’s way at all. Redemption is defined as “the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.” In the Bible, it means the promise and power of God to deliver us from sin and death. Jesus Christ, our Lord, came, ministered, and died for this purpose. Any judgment He has is to redeem that person. He came to save the world, not condemn it, by swallowing up darkness in the light of His presence.

Do you realize that Jesus never condemned the sinners to whom He ministered in His earthly life? J. Preston Eby makes this point clear. Jesus never spoke a word of judgment to any sinners with whom He interacted. He did not even condemn Judas when it was revealed that Judas would betray Him. He knew what was in their hearts. Jesus’ words of condemnation and judgment were , however, directed at the Hebrew leaders and priests of His time, doing so strongly, bluntly, and repeatedly.

Why? As leaders, they should have known the truth about what they were teaching from Moses’ law. They had great knowledge of the law and taught it to others. Their words and behaviors should have matched, but they lacked a life of character revealing the truth of their words. They were self-righteously preaching to others, laying burdens or “heavy loads” on their people to fulfil the demands of the law without doing it themselves. Jesus called this a snare:

“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and His disciples, saying, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. They tie up heavy loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men, for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, respectful greetings in the marketplaces, and being called by men, Rabbi.

But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.

But the greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:1-12 NASB

This passage of scripture shows what our Lord Jesus Christ thinks of others, especially Christian leaders, who rail against sin but fail to do what they tell others to do. Jesus clearly saw their hearts, and that is why they hated Him. Jesus agreed with what they were saying— the law of Moses is truth. It’s the right standard of behavior but the wrong way to communicate it to others. He exposed and condemned wrong motives of their hearts, seeing right through their exalted external displays.

No one can trust another whose words and behaviors do not match. Humans often believe what they see, the outward behaviors, rather than what is inside. Jesus judged the scribes and the Pharisees, calling them “hypocrites” and “blind guides.” He looked beyond their outwardly holy and righteous behavior into the motives of pride, power, and position in their hearts. Jesus’ words to the religious leaders of His time on earth exposed the darkness of human lust for power and esteem of men.

These leaders loved to “lay the law down” heavily on their followers but were far from fulfilling the law themselves. People do not typically embrace another who exposes them in this way. Few will accept truth as an opportunity to change. Jesus “called them out,” as we might say now, for their great hypocrisy. He knew their hearts were hardened toward Him. They orchestrated His crucifixion because of what was in their hearts and the threat to all they held dear in their world. They had no idea that they were doing the will of God!

But Jesus never spoke in any such way to the individual sinners or to the multitudes. Instead, He spoke of encouragement and hope. He never chastised sinners, such as the woman caught in adultery. Instead, He saw the intent of her accusers, the motives in their hearts to set a trap for Him. They judged her while having sinned themselves. Unlike some Christians today, He did not severely judge these outward sins of the flesh like He did the condition of their hearts.

Jesus always sees in the hearts of humans. He knew what this woman had been sinfully doing, and wanted to provide opportunity for her to change, to be redeemed, through his love and kindness. He did not join the self righteous leaders who were attempting to trick him with how He would handle a woman caught in the obvious sin of adultery. Jesus dealt with this situation wisely, with very few words:

“..the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?’ And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him.

But Jesus stooped down and, with His finger, wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’

And again, He stooped down and wrote on the ground. And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst.

And straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ And she said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on, sin no more.’” John 8:3-11“ NASB

Can you imagine Jesus’ piercing gaze as He said these words to the woman’s accusers? We do wonder what He wrote in the sand! Some speculate that it may have been each of the accusers’ sins He was quietly revealing. Jesus did not tell the woman that the way she was living was wrong. She knew this already but did not know how to become free. More than one Christian has found themselves caught in the snare of adultery, seeking diligently through prayer for the strength of God to be released.

The Lord shows the sincere sinner their wrongful desires of the heart, dealing with them so that they no longer erupt into wrongful behavior. God is the changer of hearts, where the root of any issue begins and ends. We can be assured that this woman, speaking with the Lord of glory and seeing what compassion and righteousness He showed toward her, did not sin again. Jesus spoke truth to her that she was in an adulterous relationship now and had been before. Then He told her, “Go, and sin no more.”

This woman was forever changed, without condemnation, chastisement, or rejection by Jesus. But are those who commit adultery now treated any differently than the way these religious leaders were dealing with this woman? Stoning of women still occurs in some countries, but our country and many others would never do that. Instead, do we “stone the sinner” with words and gossip rather than rocks? Do we continue to judge the woman who commits adultery more harshly than the adulterous man? Are we quick to condemn, identify with and even support one partner over the other without knowing anything about it?

With no condemnation in His heart, our Lord showed love as well as a way of escape from her sins, giving her only His word of life. He is our model, the Pattern Son. Without God working within us, none of us can live a righteous life, let alone a powerful word to free others. Aren’t you glad that God knows we need our Father just as He did and that He provided the way?

“For He knoweth our frame: He remembreth that we are dust.” Psalms 103:14 KJV

We love the Lord of mercy and compassion Who sees and understands our human condition. He knows that without Him, we can do nothing. None of us are yet enabled to speak to others with pure motives in our hearts, but God is writing His standards within us. In our Christian relationships, love is to be the cover as well as the driving force in all we do. Above all, we are to have a deep love for our brethren.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:17-19 Berean

May God help us to continue growing up into Him. There is so much to learn at His feet!