Judgment in Heaven?
While preparing to preach a sermon on Ephesians 4:7-16, I was reading J.M. Boice's commentary on the book. In the discussion on the purpose of spiritual gifts, Boice states a curious comment:
"If a Christian is using a gift to bring attention to himself rather than to Christ, he is misappropriating it and will answer to his Master in the judgment." (emphasis mine)
What is Boice saying here? That when we go to Heaven God is going to bring up a sin that we did? I thought forgiveness of sin meant that sin was forgotten. To bring up a previous sin would mean that one did not forgive that person of that sin. Surely Boice is referring to loss of rewards in Heaven - not judgment judgment.
Maybe I'm wrong - my wife sure thinks I am on this subject.
Also, not to spark up a Cessationist/Non-Cessationist debate but, he also states in the chapter that the spiritual gifts of prophet and apostle do not exist anymore...I'm not sure whether I agree or disagree.
posted by Charlie Wallace at 3:34 PM
6 Comments:
Charlie,
This is an interesting point of discussion, and could lead in to lots of interesting areas.
My initial thought would be to question the idea that "forgiveness of sin means that sin is forgotton." First off, I've never seen anything in the Biblical text that says this. Second off, the idea of God literally forgetting something seems to run against the idea that God knows everything. Third, I have forgiven people for many things that I can still recall. It's impossible for me to decide to forget something. Now I can certainly decide not to think on it when it comes to my mind, but that's a different thing.
I would then question the idea that if someone is forgiven a sin, then they cannot be called to give an account. When I lied to my dad as a child, he would forgive me- he would not hold that against me in bitterness and anger, but he would still punish me for lying.
Or to take your example "To bring up a previous sin would mean that one did not forgive that person of that sin."
Think about this - God forgives a man for getting drunk. But wouldn't it be a good idea for God the HS to bring to mind this man's previous sin when he's thinking about jsut drinking a glass of wine to relax after work, even though the previous sin of drunkenness has been forgiven?
Further, the idea of "loosing rewards in Heaven" is some form of judgment. God judges that based on your action, the result is x number of rewards :-)
Finally, to think that God literally forgets our sins is to come up with some difficulties with the Bible. Think about what Hebrews says in ch 12
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Now if God has already forgiven us of all of our sins, then how can he know what we have done wrong in order to discipline us?
This discussion of course could lead into when God really forgives us. Matthew 6:14-15 comes to mind:
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Hmm....
Well said, Ross.
My point is this:
When we get to Heaven, I do not believe, like some people do, that God will break out a laundry list of sins we committed here on earth and say, "Well, you screwed up there," and "well, you shouldn't have said that cuss word" therefore you will be somehow punished in Heaven for sins committed on earth. In my opinion bringing up to a person how someone has wronged you means that you have not forgiven that person. If you had truly forgiven that person, then you wouldn't bring it up to them because it would not bother you and it would not invade your thoughts.
Our sin is forgiven and wiped clean. Sure, God can't literally forget the sin. But to bring up a sin again in Heaven when we are 'judged' is not true forgiveness. I don't see anywhere near convincing biblical support for God bringing up sins committed on earth to throw in our face in Heaven.
That's why I believe we will face 'judgment' by simply loss of rewards...which will be bad enough. However, since there is no sin in Heaven, we won't be jealous of the people with more rewards.
It seems to me that the Scripture you are using refers to that of God using our sin on earth to lead us not astray. Furthermore, the examples you use seem to be of consequences of sin on earth. I agree with you there as well. I think thats a sound biblical argument.
However, again, I'm referring to the Heavenly remembrance and reminding of our sin which I don't think happens.
Thanks for the clarification Charlie...
Your comments make me think of a really deep and tough question -
"will their be a way that we can grow in grace and knowledge?"
If there is, then God could use this judgment to teach us more about His grace.
I, for one, have been immensely enjoying the recent resurgence of discussion on this blog. Thank you, gentlemen.
I have not thought about that Ross - that's intriguing. It took me a minute to understand what you were saying though...haha.
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