Present Judgment

“For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:29-32) 

There is judgment in this life. Part of it is from the law of cause and effect, we reap what we sow. In the passage above we see that God disciplines His Children in this life so that we will not be condemned with the world in the final judgment. God’s disciplines us for our good to draw us back to Him and His righteous life giving ways. This is an important thing to learn otherwise we might assume the world is a bad place full of evil to which we are left unprotected. God’s discipline leads to life and health while the world’s evil leads to death.“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.” (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)

We can’t be perfect in this fallen human nature, and the importance of obedience is true, but we are not left to ourselves. I find no concept of being “better” people in the Bible. Righteousness is a gift of grace, but we are sanctified and consecrated by God. “He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:8) 

It always comes back to faith in God, who finds us, cares for us, cleans us, discipline and trains us, grants us His righteousness and saves us in the end. “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14) There is a view that focuses on our part which is surrender, submission and loving others in service to God, but these acts are temporal and only empowered by the Spirit, otherwise we could boast. God is due all praise and glory and credit for everything as concerns us, particularly if we happen to do something right. (Luke 17:7-10)