Thursday, November 7, 2013
Acts 17:30-31 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.
THREE THINGS FOR SURE
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon ponders the meaning of life. At one point he notes that he has seen wickedness in the "place of judgment". That is, Solomon observed that the courts of man sometimes convict the innocent, and sometimes they release the guilty. Solomon saw the imperfect justice of human courts and drew this conclusion: "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed" (Ecclesiastes 3:17).
That there will be a final rendering of justice before our Creator seems to be written right into the conscience of man. When Paul spoke to the philosophers of Athens (above) he appealed to this haunting notion tucked back in the minds of every human being--a day has been set when all will be judged. And this haunting notion whispers the question to each sinner, "Which verdict will be pronounced on you? Innocent, or guilty?"
In the text above, Paul reveals that the day of judgment has been set, and the judge has also been appointed. Paul says God himself confirmed the appointing of Jesus Christ to this judiciary position by raising him from the dead.
Thus, Paul presented the sinners of Athens with two certainties--the day of judgment is set, and the judge is selected. Of these two thing we can be sure.
But with the mention of Christ's resurrection Paul also points sinners to a third certainty. For the resurrection of Christ also stands as confirmation of all that Jesus taught: Jesus is the Son of God. The sinner's sins are forgiven through his sacrifice. We too shall be raised to life. God's Word is true--including the promise of salvation through Christ's cross. 