GOD'S JUST JUDGMENTS** by C. R. Stam*

Admin Sun 11 Apr 2010, 11:36 am

GOD'S JUST JUDGMENTS*
* by C. R. Stam*
* *
* "We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth..."*
*
The first 15 verses of Romans 2 always make me think of our
Lord's dealings with the rich young ruler of Luke 18:18,19. "Good
Master," the ruler had said, "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

The Lord answered in effect: "Why do you call Me good?There is none good
but God, so if I am good I must be God. But do you want to know what to
do to inherit eternal life? Simply obey the Law, the Ten Commandments. "

Our Lord, of course, was trying to show the young man that it was
impossible to earn salvation by doing good. To keep the Law was
impossible for any child of fallen Adam, and breaking the Law could only
bring condemnation. Now this absolute justice is the basis for the
believer's confidence in God.

It is wonderful to know that God does not merely pity sinners and
smuggle them into heaven if they are sorry. If He did, someone in heaven
could point an accusing finger this writer and say: "What, you here!"
Thank God, He has rather taken us before the bar of justice, pronouncing
us guilty, but has stepped down, as it were, to pay the penalty for our
sins Himself, then justly declaring us righteous! This is why salvation,
in Scripture, is based upon Christ's payment of our just debt. This is
why Rom. 3:24 declares that believers are "justified freely, by His
grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through
righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:21).

*O Glorious Lord, what a good reminder this is of the desperate *
*condition I was in when You justified me.*
* I was not merely needy;*
* I was spiritually dead.*
* I thank You for burying that old life with Jesus in His tomb.*
* I praise You for raising me with Christ to a new life.*
* I rejoice in the radical nature of Your saving grace.*
* Lord, by the power of the resurrection, *
* lead me in the reality of newness of life, in Jesus name, Amen.*