If you type in those words on the internet, the first image you will see is one of the late gangster rapper Tupac Shakur. He had a popular song by this title in the 1990’s at the height of his popularity. Tupac’s life is one of many stories of the tragedy produced by the godless ways perpetuated in our culture. This is not intended to speak ill of the dead, but the lifestyle promoted by Tupac and similar “artists” is one which will always end in tragedy. That is not to say that everyone who lives this way will be gunned down by a rival, but those who continue in such ways will face the wrath of God, even if they live out their days on this earth in luxury and pleasure.
Tupac was correct in his assessment that only God can judge him. However, the way in which Tupac meant this statement was that no person had a right to call his actions into question. This is the sentiment conveyed by the masses of people today who decry the exposure of their moral and ethical wrongs as the chief of sins. It is the irony of ironies when one states that a person is wrong forever telling a person he or she is wrong. It is true that neither I nor any other man will sit in that judgment seat on the day of judgment. It is true that God alone will deliver the final verdict for every man and woman who ever lived. What those who gleefully parrot Tupac’s statement fail to realize is God has an objective standard by which we all may know what to expect on that day.
Jesus said, “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (Jn. 12:47-48). This is true to every single person who ever lived on this earth “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). Furthermore, God will not show partiality to anyone (Acts 10:35). You may ask what my point is.
While it is true that neither I nor any other person will decide an individual’s final destiny, God has made it possible for us to objectively determine right from wrong. In John 7:24, Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” This passage clearly demonstrates that we all may know right from wrong. It is a good thing too because He has charged us to “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:11). After reminding the Corinthians of the impending judgment of God, Paul told them his goal was “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men… and again “we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:11, 20).
As the Hebrews writer said, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:26-31). Saying “only God can judge me” may shut my opponents up, but this terse, pithy statement will be of no help whatsoever when I like every other knee bows at the feet of Christ.
Tupac was correct in his assessment that only God can judge him. However, the way in which Tupac meant this statement was that no person had a right to call his actions into question. This is the sentiment conveyed by the masses of people today who decry the exposure of their moral and ethical wrongs as the chief of sins. It is the irony of ironies when one states that a person is wrong forever telling a person he or she is wrong. It is true that neither I nor any other man will sit in that judgment seat on the day of judgment. It is true that God alone will deliver the final verdict for every man and woman who ever lived. What those who gleefully parrot Tupac’s statement fail to realize is God has an objective standard by which we all may know what to expect on that day.
Jesus said, “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (Jn. 12:47-48). This is true to every single person who ever lived on this earth “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). Furthermore, God will not show partiality to anyone (Acts 10:35). You may ask what my point is.
While it is true that neither I nor any other person will decide an individual’s final destiny, God has made it possible for us to objectively determine right from wrong. In John 7:24, Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” This passage clearly demonstrates that we all may know right from wrong. It is a good thing too because He has charged us to “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:11). After reminding the Corinthians of the impending judgment of God, Paul told them his goal was “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men… and again “we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:11, 20).
As the Hebrews writer said, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:26-31). Saying “only God can judge me” may shut my opponents up, but this terse, pithy statement will be of no help whatsoever when I like every other knee bows at the feet of Christ.