April 30, 2011

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Justice, Judgment, and the Reign of Christ Tonight was historic. President Obama announced the successful assassination of a dangerous terrorist mastermind. There is much rejoicing in the land. Yet, as Christians, we seem a bit unsure of our response: Should we be happy? Should we be sad? Should we chant, "USA! USA! USA!" all night long? The impulse in us to rejoice when a wicked person is brought to justice is right; it is part of the Imago Dei in us. Scriptures like Proverbs 11:10 tell us that when "the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy!" And yet, there is more than just the image of God in us; there is also the stain of sin. So we don't typically stop with shouts of joy. We often gloat with pride over someone else's demise. So, what should we make of all this? I suggest a few things: 1. Recognize that Jesus is the world's true Lord and Judge Psalm 96:10, 13 " Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns.' The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity...Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness." Throughout the Psalms and the Prophets, we are reminded that YHWH is the Creator-King who will judge the earth. In the New Testament, Paul shows that Jesus is the Messiah and therefore the King who will judge the earth. Only His justice is true justice. And His justice, in its fullness, is future...it's coming. When Christ returns, he will destroy "all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet" (1 Cor. 15:24-25). Then, every tear will be wiped away, and there will be...

Glenn Packiam

Lead Pastor, new life DOWNTOWN, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, CO. Author and songwriter.

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