Sermon Date: April 6, 2025
Justice and Judgment of God
In the refining fire of God’s judgment, we find,
A justice that restores, leaving no sin behind.
Not retribution, but a loving hand,
Guiding us back to truth, helping us understand.
As we view our lives through His loving gaze,
Our mistakes come to light, remorse ablaze.
With truth revealed, our hearts humbled and contrite,
Guided gently towards repentance, in His light.
In the furnace of His love, we’re cleansed by fire’s embrace,
Our sinful self-consumed, our true essence to replace.
Amidst the flames that sear, our genuine self is revealed,
As the dross is purged, our identity is healed.
Though the process may be painful, a journey of strife,
God’s refining fire brings forth abundant life.
With each burning ember, He molds and forms,
Shaping and renewing us through flames that transform.
Through the refining fire, we emerge anew,
Clothed in righteousness, His image shining through.
God, the consuming fire, devours lies, sin, and evil’s might,
In His presence, all darkness fades, consumed by His righteous light.
When judgment’s fire comes, our works will be laid bare,
Selfish deeds consumed, no trace left in the air.
But what was done in love, with selfless hearts ablaze,
Will stand the test of time, and receive eternal praise.
Every act of kindness, every word of grace spoken,
Will shine like radiant jewels, never to be broken.
For in the refining flames, our true intentions revealed,
And those fueled by love, in eternity are sealed.
Through His judgment, He sets all things right,
Bringing justice to every person, ending their night.
No soul forgotten, no injustice ignored,
His justice prevails, a promise fully restored.
His justice is good news, a cause to celebrate,
He restores all because we all relate.
His justice is a balm, healing every wound,
Drawing us closer to Him, no one is eternally doomed.
In the end, all will be made whole,
Every broken story, every shattered soul.
God’s restorative justice, a symphony of grace,
Bringing redemption and wholeness in every place.
So let us trust in His judgment, His divine plan,
For His justice is love-driven, not the wrath of man.
With His hands at work, everything will be set right,
His restorative justice, a beacon of eternal light.
(Copyright: Nick Wallace)
Psalm 33:5 “He loves righteousness and justice.”
Deuteronomy 16:20 “Justice, justice you shall pursue.”
Psalm 106:3 “Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!”
Proverbs 21:2-3; 12-13 “All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs hearts. Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin. The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.”
Proverbs 21:15-16 “Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to evildoers. The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.”
Isaiah 1:16-17 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.”
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 “I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness. 1I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every work.”
Micah 6:8-9 “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. The voice of the Lord calls out to the city (and it is wise to fear your name): “Pay attention to the rod and the one who ordained it.”