Study 25 “Of Justice and Mercy” Part 3

Psalm 9. 3-10

David’s view of judgment as an event that happens within time must be fully understood. The issue of eternal judgment is not a idea that should weigh as heavily upon us as God’s judgment of us in time. Peter declared, "For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God." If the time for judgment in Peter’s day was the present moment, how much more is "now" the time of judgment for believers in our day.

What is judgment? Let’s dispense with the views of harsh, cold, cruel rulings and find a more realistic definition in Scripture. We begin with the Parable of the Stewards in Matthew 25.14-30. Briefly, the story is about three slaves who were given control of differing degrees of their master’s property. Two of the slaves showed themselves to be trustworthy; they invested their master’s wealth, made a profit for him, and were rewarded for their good stewardship. One slave proved to be untrustworthy. Out of fear, he hoarded what his master had entrusted to him. He made no profit, was declared to be undependable, and lost everything, including his privileged position. What can be learned about judgment from this story?

First of all, with the Master’s return came a time of accounting. Each person had to give a detailed report of how he had managed his master’s resources. Each had to relate what he had accomplished, not what the other slaves had done. Each had to be truthful because the master was demanding that his goods be returned. So, each slave, in giving back to the master what was rightfully his, had to account for his own stewardship. As the slaves gave an account, both motives and actions were related.

Second, with the accounting came accountability. Each slave had to tell what he had done and why. Each had to take responsibility for what he had done or not done. Two slaves knew what their master was like, what his motives and practices were. The master was the model for their actions. Since the master was a good business man, he expected those to whom he had entrusted his goods to act as he had acted. So, the first two slaves proudly declared, "See, we have made money for you!" The third slave, knowing as the other two the business practices of his master, was afraid to act. So, he made excuses. He tried to shift the blame for his failure onto his master. "Since you are a hard man, I was afraid to try, I was afraid to fail. If you were a little more lenient, I would have tried harder," he might as well have said. Nonetheless, in the end, he was held accountable.

Third, judgment is a time of re-ordering. Each of the two faithful slaves came away from the time of accounting with greater wealth and greater responsibility. To the one who had been given the most and who had made a 100% profit, the master gave what the third slave was afraid to invest. To the one who feared failure, all was lost. He was sent into the darkness outside, the place of regret and remorse.

Remember that the three characters in this story were all slaves, servants of the master. Because of their continued responsible behavior, they had earned higher and higher positions. With success, came success. With failure came loss. Yet the loss was not permanent.

Judgment is also a time of redemption. The slave who was cast outside was still a slave. This parable is not about eternal judgment and damnation. This parable is about stewardship and accountability. Good and faithful stewards are rewarded and promoted. Unfaithful stewards lose. Yet, God is concerned that his servants learn. So, the unfaithful steward, facing up to his own poor behavior, could learn to do better. He would be given a chance to try again.

Sometimes, judgment is not final. At other times, judgment is a "trial by fire." But, the fire is intended to purify and purge, not to destroy and demoralize.