In this lesson, you will consider two ideas that seem to contradict. Firstly, there's the belief clearly taught in scripture, that God is a just and righteous Judge who will punish sinners. Secondly, there's the belief taught in certain creeds, that sinners are what they are by God's decree, and cannot change themselves.

God a Righteous Judge (Part 1)

The creeds seem to contradict the scriptures. How can God be a just and righteous judge, yet condemn and punish people for being as he unchangeably made them?

1 God Judges Justly

The scriptures clearly represent God as a righteous judge who is always just and fair.

• "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne" (Psa 89:14).
• Jesus claims, "My judgment is just because I seek not my own will, but the will of him who sent me" (Jhn 5:30). Jesus clearly regards his Father's will as upholding justice.
• God is "One who impartially judges" (1Pe 1:17).

The creeds agree entirely with this. Notice how the Westminster Confession, like the Bible, attributes justice and mercy to God...

"There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal, most just, and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty." [WCF 2.1]

2 God Condemns Evildoers

The scriptures are very plain that God will punish all who do not obey him.

• "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction away from the presence of the Lord" (2Th 1:7-9)).
• The wrath of God is part of his righteous judgment. He gives eternal life to those "who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honour and immortality". Whereas with "wrath and indignation" he punishes "those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness" (Rom 2:5-11).

Again, the creeds agree with the scriptures on this point...

"The end of God's appointing this day [wherein he will judge the world, in righteousness] is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and refreshing, which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." [WCF 33.2, insertion 33.1]

Lesson continues (Part 2)

[Creed quoted: THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH - 1646]