the judgment of God is according to truth
William MacDonald teaches that God's judgment is perfectly just and based on complete truth, unlike human judgment which is limited and flawed.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the nature of God's judgment, emphasizing its perfect justice and truthfulness. He contrasts divine judgment with human judgment, highlighting human limitations and God's complete knowledge of all hearts and motives. MacDonald reassures believers that God's judgment is impartial and fair, providing hope that justice will ultimately prevail for all, including the oppressed and those who have never heard the Gospel.
Text
“…the judgment of God is according to truth.” (Rom. 2:2)
God is the only One in the universe who is perfectly qualified to judge. We can be everlastingly thankful that He has not entrusted the final judgment to us. Think of some of the disabilities under which an earthly judge works. It is impossible for him to be completely objective. He may be influenced by the prominence of the defendant or by his appearance. He may be influenced by bribes or by other more subtle considerations. He cannot always know if a witness is lying. Or if not lying, the witness may be withholding the truth. Or again, he may be shading the truth. Or finally, he may be sincere but inaccurate.
The judge cannot always know the motives of those with whom he deals—and it is important to establish motives in many legal cases.
Even the polygraph or lie detector can be fooled. Hardened criminals can sometimes control their physiological reactions to guilt.
But God is the perfect Judge. He has absolute knowledge of all acts, thoughts and motives. He can judge the secrets of men’s hearts. He knows all the truth; nothing can be withheld from Him. He is not a respecter of persons but treats each one impartially. He knows the mental ability with which each one is endowed; an imbecile may not be as responsible as others for his actions. He knows the differing moral strengths of His subjects; some may resist temptation more easily than others. He knows the differing privileges and opportunities each one has, and the extent to which a person sins against light. He detects sins of omission as easily as sins of commission, secret sins as easily as public scandal.
Therefore we need not fear that the heathen who has never heard the Gospel will be treated unjustly. Or that those who have suffered wrongfully through life will be unavenged. Or that wicked tyrants who have escaped in this life will go unpunished.
The Judge on the bench is a perfect Judge, and His justice will be according to truth and therefore absolutely perfect.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Human judges are limited and imperfect
- Influences and biases affect earthly judgment
- Human judges cannot fully discern truth or motives
-
II
- God is the perfect and impartial Judge
- He knows all acts, thoughts, and motives
- God judges according to absolute truth
-
III
- God’s judgment accounts for individual differences
- No sin or secret escapes His notice
- Justice is perfect and fair for all
-
IV
- No one will be unjustly judged or overlooked
- The heathen and oppressed will receive justice
- Wicked tyrants will not escape punishment
Key Quotes
“God is the only One in the universe who is perfectly qualified to judge.” — William MacDonald
“He knows all the truth; nothing can be withheld from Him.” — William MacDonald
“The Judge on the bench is a perfect Judge, and His justice will be according to truth and therefore absolutely perfect.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Trust in God's perfect judgment rather than relying on human fairness.
- Live with the awareness that God knows all your motives and actions.
- Find comfort in the assurance that God will bring justice for all, including the oppressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is God's judgment considered perfect?
Because God has complete knowledge of all actions, thoughts, and motives, allowing Him to judge impartially and according to absolute truth.
How does God's judgment differ from human judgment?
Human judgment is limited by biases, incomplete information, and inability to discern true motives, whereas God’s judgment is flawless and all-knowing.
Will those who have never heard the Gospel be judged fairly?
Yes, God’s perfect justice ensures that even those who have never heard the Gospel will be judged fairly according to the truth.
Does God consider individual differences in His judgment?
Yes, God accounts for mental ability, moral strength, opportunities, and the extent of light each person has received.
What assurance does this sermon give about justice for the oppressed?
It assures that those who have suffered wrongfully will not be overlooked and that God will bring perfect justice.