In 2013 , approaching my final year as a high schooler , I was in a persistent cycle of salvation , backsliding , salvation and more backsliding . I would give my life to Jesus Christ on Sunday then when met with ridicule and contempt by friends, I would return to my lifestyle of sin . You can equate this to peer pressure but all I know is that I was not ready to lose some friends . I would then keep returning to my old lifestyle of worldliness . I made friends my judge and as a result I was never really able to break free from that cycle .
I can imagine how God felt when he raised up judges for the people of Israel . The Israelites would groan and not listen . After this, they would return to their lifestyle of sin and Baal worship . Each time , the compensation for spiritual adultery by the Israelites would be met with God’s grace and mercies!
“Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the Lord’s commands. Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.”
Judges 2:16-19 NIV
This foreshadows Jesus Christ returning as the righteous judge in Revelation . This time he would come to judge both you and me . When a law is passed , there is always a time for judgement and that explains examinations and assessments . Being cognizant of judgement determines the decisions you make . I even dare say that who your judge is , is linked to your destiny as a Christian . Jesus Christ has been sent to us as a judge . He came here on Earth , died for us and we even received the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to help us live a life of righteousness and godliness .
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.”
Revelation 19:11-13 NIV
Jesus Christ was sent to us but are you prepared for the return of the righteous and true judge ?
Be blessed !
A Minute with Melissa 