September 14, 2024 DRAFT

Judgment, Right or Wrong

Are We Held Responsible for All Shortcomings?

Abstract

This short article describes a method for determining innocence or guilt when out of compliance with God.

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This website is a safe space for all, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. You may have a healthy, robust spirituality or starting to doubt Christian teachings. We’re here to provide ideas that are perhaps alternative to the ones you are beginning to doubt.

Introduction

The reasoning below is only a good fit for some Christians. However, consider the following if you are becoming disenchanted with the faith.

Courts

There is a court where justice for an accused person must be assessed with perfection because the outcome will be the ultimate punishment or reward. Whose standard is used? If there is no jury, the decision will be from the judge. Let us speculate about a courtroom and judge where the usual limitations do not exist. The judge is infinitely knowledgeable, infinitely just (righteous), and can carry out sentences that are the highest reward or gravest punishment. The judge knows the limitations of people, their knowledge of the truth, and the perfectibility of human intention. In such a case, we suggest that ultimate justice depends not on a person (the accused) living with a god’s ethical and moral perfection but on their heart’s disposition (the general intent of their heart).

There are many judges in a country’s court system. No human judge can enforce a sentence that endures eternity. Many religions believe in a continuance of the essential (core) person beyond death, so a death sentence by a human judge does not qualify as an eternal punishment. Furthermore, no personnel in any courtroom by any government knows the heart intent of the accused. They must decide guilt or innocence based on observable facts, including interpretations of facial expressions and other observables. In many courts, the accused is innocent until evidence convinces a judge or jury of a guilty verdict. Regardless of a judge and jury’s imperfectability, the worst-case outcome is never an eternal punishment.

There is no defect in God’s knowledge. God presides over the courtroom of Heaven, and His judgments are never defective; He has a perfect understanding of our heart disposition (the general intent of our heart). When God declares a Christian pardoned, they are genuinely free from any guilt deserving punishment for their sins. With God, there is no possibility of a faulty decision. Our awe and reverence of Him humbles us, reminding us of His perfect judgment and our imperfect nature.

Unlike the perfect judge, the imperfect judge must adhere to the law, making judgments based on observables, actions, and words, not thoughts and attitudes, which provide clues to the accused’s heart intention.

Spiritual salvation, becoming a born-again believer, is a deeply personal matter of the heart. It is not a mere agreement with truth but a profound transformation of the heart with many possible outward signs. To consider any of these mandatory is to shift into a legalistic approach to the faith. To reject every outward sign as evidence of salvation is another way to enter a legalistic approach to the faith. What matters is the change in heart disposition. Their acceptance or rejection of the truth that God has revealed to them, of which God has perfect knowledge. Let us reflect on our spiritual journey, attitudes, and choices.

Summary

Understanding God as a judge who relies on the law to evaluate a person is to overlook His love for us and His desire to be loved by us.

(Mat 22:37 ESV) And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

To say that God depends upon outward observables for a person’s judgment fails to accept His perfect knowledge.

(1Sa 16:7b GNB) … I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”

Conclusion

For those who spend time thinking about how we talk about faith, we likely have a substantial framework of knowledge around our beliefs. This is good when fighting against the schemes of the devil. But with this mass of interpretations comes inertia, a resistance to change. Let us not be afraid to embrace change in our faith journey, to consider new interpretations and perspectives, and to grow in our understanding of God’s word.

Regularly humbling oneself before God and praying for His will to be done is a vital part of every Christian’s life.

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