THE GOD OF THE BIBLE
(A Jesus Disciple Resource)
(A Jesus Disciple Resource)
LESSON FOUR
RIGHTEOUS JUDGE
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Lesson Four. In this lesson we’ll discover that God is a Righteous Judge. Some people don’t understand how God can be both a Loving, Relational Companion and a Righteous Judge, but when you stop to consider it, you’ll see that these are not in conflict at all. For example, if you have two sons that you love dearly, and you give them something to eat and tell them that they need to share with each other, dividing it evenly, or they won’t be allowed to play with their friends that afternoon, what would you do if the stronger one forcefully took it all and ate it? You would, of course, feed your younger son and allow him to play with his friends, but you wouldn’t allow your older son to play with his friends. And by doing that, you would be both a loving parent and a righteous judge. By judging righteously, you would be teaching your sons how to live a blessed life, including sharing with others and obeying authorities. The Bible has much to say about God being a Righteous Judge, but for our study we’ll go back to Genesis and read from chapters 2 and 3. Before we begin, let’s open in prayer.
[Open in prayer]
As we read, let’s consider several questions, including:
1. Why is God such a Righteous Judge?
2. How does it help us to know that God judges righteously?
3. How should knowing this about God change our relationship with Him?
Scripture Reading: Read Genesis 2:15-17 & Genesis 3:1-19.
DISCUSSION
Okay, our first discussion question is:
“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:2 (ESV)
“God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When He says something, He does it. When He makes a promise, He keeps it.” Numbers 23:19 (GW)
“It is impossible for God to lie...” Hebrews 6:18 (ESV)
Okay, let’s move on to our second discussion question:
2. Why is it important for people today to know that God judges righteously?
Now before we discuss the third question, let me remind you that our Righteous Judge is also our Generous Creator. And because of His love He came up with a plan for anyone who is willing to accept it. God’s plan is found in John 3:16:
As you can see, God’s plan was extremely expensive, both for Father God and His Son Jesus. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die in our place. And Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to take all the punishment for our sin, even though He Himself had never sinned.
So you might say, “Great, so it’s done, and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.” Not so fast… salvation is not automatic. Yes, Jesus paid for the sins of the world, but that payment must be accepted. Let me ask you something. What if your car gave out and you were desperate for new car. And you were sitting at a desk with a salesman at car dealership trying to qualify for a car you really like. Then someone walked up and put enough cash on the desk to pay for the car—tax, license, and everything. And then he said to you, “Please let me pay for your car. I own a business like the business you work for, and I’d like you to come work for our company. I’ll give you a raise, better benefits, and buy this car for you debt free. But you’ll need to quit your job right away and come work for me.” Sure, it’s an amazing offer, and the money is on the table, but to accept this offer you must leave the company you’re working with, your boss, and your colleagues.
This is what Jesus says to us. He says, “I’ve already paid for your sins, and if you’ll accept My payment and come follow Me instead of following sin and the rest of the world, you will be completely forgiven from this debt of sin.”
So, what if you accept His offer and begin following Him. What will the Righteous Judge do? What else can He do… your sin has been paid, and you’ve accepted the payment. So there is no sin left to judge. Judgment for your sin has already been executed against Jesus.
How many of you are glad now that God is a Righteous Judge?
Now let’s discuss the third question.
Now let me ask one final question:
As we close in prayer, I invite you to accept Jesus’ offer. He loves you and took the judgment and punishment for your and my sins in hopes that we would accept His offer and come into relationship with Him. As I pray, I invite you to pray as well.
[Close in prayer]
CONCLUSION
Now don’t miss our next lesson. It’s the most important. We’ll be studying our Generous Creator, Relational Companion and Righteous Judge became a Selfless Savior for us.
Welcome to Lesson Four. In this lesson we’ll discover that God is a Righteous Judge. Some people don’t understand how God can be both a Loving, Relational Companion and a Righteous Judge, but when you stop to consider it, you’ll see that these are not in conflict at all. For example, if you have two sons that you love dearly, and you give them something to eat and tell them that they need to share with each other, dividing it evenly, or they won’t be allowed to play with their friends that afternoon, what would you do if the stronger one forcefully took it all and ate it? You would, of course, feed your younger son and allow him to play with his friends, but you wouldn’t allow your older son to play with his friends. And by doing that, you would be both a loving parent and a righteous judge. By judging righteously, you would be teaching your sons how to live a blessed life, including sharing with others and obeying authorities. The Bible has much to say about God being a Righteous Judge, but for our study we’ll go back to Genesis and read from chapters 2 and 3. Before we begin, let’s open in prayer.
[Open in prayer]
As we read, let’s consider several questions, including:
1. Why is God such a Righteous Judge?
2. How does it help us to know that God judges righteously?
3. How should knowing this about God change our relationship with Him?
Scripture Reading: Read Genesis 2:15-17 & Genesis 3:1-19.
DISCUSSION
Okay, our first discussion question is:
1. Why is God such a Righteous Judge?
Allow me to share a few thoughts before we discuss this. Some people make the mistake of thinking God judges matters like human beings, accepting bribes, compromising for convenience, and playing favorites. But God is not like sinful human beings. He is honest and pure-hearted. And in all of eternity He has never lied. Listen to a few Scriptures that show us that because God’s nature and character are pure and holy, He cannot do that:
“God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” James 1:13 (NASB 2020)
“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:2 (ESV)
“God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn’t change his mind. When He says something, He does it. When He makes a promise, He keeps it.” Numbers 23:19 (GW)
“It is impossible for God to lie...” Hebrews 6:18 (ESV)
I think you see the point. God does not act like sinful, imperfect human beings. People “should be” righteous and speak truth but God, on the other hand, “is” righteous, and He “only” speaks truth.
[Discuss Question #1]
Okay, let’s move on to our second discussion question:
2. Why is it important for people today to know that God judges righteously?
Now let’s come back to what happened with Adam and Eve. Adam knew better than to eat from the forbidden tree, and He knew that God told the truth about the consequence of death. What Adam probably did not realize is how sin and death and destruction would spread to the entire human race. Romans 5:12 says:
“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” (NLT)
Sin causes four major problems: 1) It separates us from our pure and righteous Creator, 2) it causes us to act in ways toward God and each other that destroy our quality of life, 3) we all end up dying physically, and 4) if you’re still a sinner when you die physically, your spirit—which will live eternally somewhere—cannot live with a holy and pure God. And there’s only one other option, and it’s not good. The Bible calls it the “second death.” Listen to Revelation 12:8:
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (ESV)
That’s right, sin not only causes death in this life, but it ultimately leads to an even worse death in the afterlife. And because God is a Righteous Judge, He is obligated to invoke all the punishments of sin.
[Discuss Question #2]
Now before we discuss the third question, let me remind you that our Righteous Judge is also our Generous Creator. And because of His love He came up with a plan for anyone who is willing to accept it. God’s plan is found in John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV)
As you can see, God’s plan was extremely expensive, both for Father God and His Son Jesus. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die in our place. And Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to take all the punishment for our sin, even though He Himself had never sinned.
So you might say, “Great, so it’s done, and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.” Not so fast… salvation is not automatic. Yes, Jesus paid for the sins of the world, but that payment must be accepted. Let me ask you something. What if your car gave out and you were desperate for new car. And you were sitting at a desk with a salesman at car dealership trying to qualify for a car you really like. Then someone walked up and put enough cash on the desk to pay for the car—tax, license, and everything. And then he said to you, “Please let me pay for your car. I own a business like the business you work for, and I’d like you to come work for our company. I’ll give you a raise, better benefits, and buy this car for you debt free. But you’ll need to quit your job right away and come work for me.” Sure, it’s an amazing offer, and the money is on the table, but to accept this offer you must leave the company you’re working with, your boss, and your colleagues.
This is what Jesus says to us. He says, “I’ve already paid for your sins, and if you’ll accept My payment and come follow Me instead of following sin and the rest of the world, you will be completely forgiven from this debt of sin.”
So, what if you accept His offer and begin following Him. What will the Righteous Judge do? What else can He do… your sin has been paid, and you’ve accepted the payment. So there is no sin left to judge. Judgment for your sin has already been executed against Jesus.
How many of you are glad now that God is a Righteous Judge?
Now let’s discuss the third question.
3. How should knowing this about God change our relationship with Him?
[Discuss Question #3]
Now let me ask one final question:
4. Who should you teach this to?
[Discuss Question #4]
As we close in prayer, I invite you to accept Jesus’ offer. He loves you and took the judgment and punishment for your and my sins in hopes that we would accept His offer and come into relationship with Him. As I pray, I invite you to pray as well.
[Close in prayer]
CONCLUSION
Now don’t miss our next lesson. It’s the most important. We’ll be studying our Generous Creator, Relational Companion and Righteous Judge became a Selfless Savior for us.