OceanSide church of Christ

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THE CHRISTIAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    God is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33).

 

B.      For this cause, He has implemented a judicial system within the Christian religion.

 

C.     In this lesson, we want to examine this system of justice.

 

I.                   A LAWGIVER

 

A.    A judicial system functions by law. 

 

B.      In order for there to be a law, there has to be a lawgiver.

 

C.     That lawgiver is none other than God Himself.

1.      James 4:12

 

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy:  who art thou that judgest another.

 

2.      Isaiah 33:22

 

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.

 

II.                A LAW

 

A.    If there is a lawgiver, there must be a law that He has given.

 

B.      Even though some contend that we are not under law today, they are sadly mistaken.

1.      The law of faith (Rom. 3:27)

 

Where is boasting then?  It is excluded.  By what law?  of works?  Nay; but by the law of faith.

 

2.      The law of the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2)

 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 

3.      The law to Christ (I Cor. 9:21)

4.      The law of Christ (Gal. 6:2)

5.      A changed law (Heb. 7:12)

6.      The perfect law of liberty (James 1:25)

 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

7.      The royal law (James 2:8)

8.      A covenant/testament is a law.  We are under the new covenant/testament.

a.      Testament (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24: Luke 22:20; I Cor. 11:25; II Cor. 3:6; Heb. 7:22; 9:15)

b.      Covenant (Heb. 8:6, 8, 10, 13; 10:16, 29; 12:24; 13:20).

III.             LAW BIDING AND LAWLESS

 

A.    Once a law has been given, people can either abide by the law or disobey the law.

 

B.      Those who obey the law are called law-biding, obedient, or righteous (Ps. 119:1-2).

 

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of God.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

 

C.     Those who refuse to obey the law are referred to as the lawless (See Matt. 7:23, KJV and NKJV).

 

KJV:  And then will I profess unto them I never knew you:  depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

NKJV:  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.

 

D.    A sad reality

1.      Sin is the transgression of the law (I John 3:4).

2.      All have sinned (Rom. 3:23).

 

IV.             A DAY OF JUDGMENT

 

A.    The person who violates the law of God is given his day in court.  That day is referred to as “the day of judgment.”

 

B.      The Bible teaches that a day of judgment is coming.

1.      Numerous times during His ministry, Jesus refers to “the day of judgment” (Matt. 10:15; 11:22, 24).

2.      Paul teaches that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10; II Cor. 5:10).

3.      Hebrews 9:27

 

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

 

V.                THREE IMPORTANT INDIVIDUALS IN COURT

 

A.    First, there is the judge.

1.      Psalm 9:7-8

 

But the Lord shall endure for ever;  he hath prepared his throne for judgment.  And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

 

2.      Romans 2:16

 

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

 

B.      Second, there is a prosecutor, that is, one who brings forth the accusations.  This individual is Satan (Rev. 12:10).

 

…for the accuser of the brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

 

C.     Third, there is the defender.  This is Jesus Christ, our advocate (I John 2:1).

 

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

 

VI.             THE DAY OF SENTENCING

 

A.    The lawless will be condemned and sentenced to everlasting punishment.

1.      The law sets forth the condemnation (Ezek. 18:20).

 

The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

2.      Matthew 25:41

 

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

 

B.      The obedient will be rewarded with everlasting life (Matt. 25:34).

 

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

 

C.     The problem: 

1.      In a previous section, we noted that all of us are sinners, that is, transgressors of God’s law (Rom. 3:10-11).

 

What then?  Are we better than they?  No, in no wise:  for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.

 

2.      All men, therefore, stand to be condemned in the judgment.

 

D.    But, there is good news!  Someone paid the price for sin.  That someone is Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:8-9).

 

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

1.      Christ died for us.

2.      Justified by his blood.

3.      Saved from wrath through Him.

4.      When we rise in the judgment, the prosecutor will accuse us of sin.  Our defender, Jesus Christ, will point the Judge to His blood as the payment for our sins.  The Judge will pronounce us justified.  (NOTE:  Here is where grace is found.  Here is where mercy is found.  Here is where the love of God is on full display).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Not all will be pronounced justified.

1.      Some will never seek justification through Jesus’ blood.

2.      Some will try to seek justification on their own terms.

3.      Some will receive justification, then leave it behind.

 

B.      Justification can only be obtained through obedience to the gospel of Christ.

1.      Romans 3:24

 

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

 

2.      Romans 5:1

 

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3.      I Corinthians 6:11

 

And such were some of you:  but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God.

 

4.      James 2:24

 

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

 

5.      Summary:  Justification is by grace through faith that obeys (washed, baptism), a work demanded by the Christ in His law.