Judge Jesus

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There's a story of a criminal who had once been before the courts, who was scheduled to appear once more. He rejoiced when he heard that an attorney who had defended him on previous occasions was now the trial judge. His attitude changed, however, when the judge stated, "When I was an attorney I defended you, but I am no longer an attorney. It is not my business now to defend, but to judge. I shall hear the evidence, and then I must deal with you in keeping with the oath I have taken in the office of judge."

Similarly, Jesus Christ, who is at this very moment our attorney before the Father, even interceding for us, will one day return to judge every single one of us. Though He is our attorney now, He will be the judge then.

And that reminds me, in a very real and relevant way, that I am not to be the judge of others. It isn't up to me to decide who is saved or will be saved on the day of judgment. I'm not even supposed to make a call on who is worthy of forgiveness (everyone), who deserves to be loved (everyone) and who should be the outsider (no one). I am reminded of Christ's words in Matthew 6:12-15 (forgiving others to receive forgiveness from God); Matthew 7:1-2 (we'll be judged in the same way that we judge others); John 5:22 (God leaves all judgment to Jesus, no one else); and of what Paul writes in Ephesians 6:17 (the fight not being against flesh and blood, but against evil forces).

A Christian and an Atheist were respectfully debating (can it be?) the end times and whether Jesus will come back (if He existed). The Atheist said, "Your belief in Jesus, though admirable, does not make my reality and what I believe any different."
The Christian replied, "Indeed. And your lack of faith in God and Christ does not make their existence any less real."
"Yes, well, I suppose we'll find out who was right, one day," the Atheist said, to which the Christian replied, "I suppose we will. But until that day, what can I do to love you as I love my Father in heaven?"

It's not up to me to judge who'll get to heaven one day. It's up to me to love my neighbour as I love myself, because I love my Father in heaven and He loves me. By loving others, I make God a reality in this world, whether people believe in God or not.

Selah.

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