Devotion #7 in Cultured for Reigning
"Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (1 Cor 6:2)
Imagine the trial of Stephen resuming, with Stephen being the judge! Or Pilate standing before Jesus, and Herod before John the Baptist and James! The tables are going to be turned, and the people of God will occupy the judgement seat under the Headship of Jesus Christ.
Paul argues that believers should be able to resolve earthly matters expeditiously (1 Cor. 6:2). They are, after all, the appointed adjudicators of the world to come. Why not handle preliminary judgements in this world in a manner that will glorify God?
Some that are weak in the faith remonstrate at this declaration. Supposing that they have understanding, they state that we are not to judge (Matt. 7:1). But Jesus is not speaking of the ACT of judging, but of the ATTITUDE of judgement. Our Lord Himself commanded us to "judge righteous judgement" (John 7:24). Paul challenged us to "judge" what he said, putting it to the test
(1 Cor. 10:15). John demanded that we "try the spirits" to determine if they are "of God" (1 John 4:1).
The reason for these injunctions is clear. We are being cultured for reigning. God has determined our participation in the judgement of the world. Therefore, our discretionary powers must be exercised here, in preparation for there.
WE SHALL JUDGE ANGELS
"Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?" (1 Cor 6:2,3).
Here is a staggering consideration. Angels, in their own persons, are a "little" higher than man. It is written that mankind was made "a little lower than the angels." Yet, this will not be the case in the world to come. There, we will "judge [fallen] angels," exposing the depravity that directed their demise, and seeing to it that God is "justified in all of His sayings" (Rom. 3:4).
JUDGEMENT IS ATTRIBUTED TO GOD
Throughout Scripture, judgement is attributed to God. Having made the world, the world is answerable to Him. Men are in His image, and therefore must give an account of themselves to Him.
"And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness." -- Psa 9:8
"Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth." -- Psa 96:13
"Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity." -- Psa 98:9
"Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." -- Acts 17:31
"God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?" -- Rom 3:6
These texts do not contradict our premise: that the saints will judge the world. They are a summary iew of judgement. As the Architect of the universe, God will judge the world. He will, however, do it through Jesus Christ, His Administrator. Christ, on the other hand, will do it through His body, the church.
-- TOMORROW: HOW THE APOSTLES AND OTHERS DIED --