There are different kinds of judges. In our day the word has only one meaning - one who rules in a court and decides the merits of a case in accordance with the points of law that are involved. In the Word of God there is another type of judge. In the Book of Judges, the Hebrew word translated judge means to put right and then rule. The world is in need of this type of judge.
Many men desire to rule, and there is an abundance of dictatorship in the world today; but there is no man with the power to put things right. Ten thousand men will give you ten thousand different explanations of all that is wrong, and will add as many remedies that are sure to correct everything. Nothing works out, however, for no man has the power to deal with sin in the human heart and its effect on the world. Until a man comes who can do this, the world must wait in agony.
In our age, God is not putting everything right. This is still the time of His patience; He is working in individuals. Perhaps the best expression of His purpose in this age of the church is to be found in James' summary of Simon Peter's speech at the council of Jerusalem: "God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things" (Acts 15:14-17).
It is very important that we, as Christians, go along with God's program and not seek to have one of our own that is contrary to His. We cannot put things right and rule; the Lord Jesus alone can do this. It is not even in line with His purpose and grace to do this now, for when He puts right it will be with a "rod of iron." The Christian's business is "to serve the living and true God" by doing only what He wants done. He has revealed His purpose, which is "taking out a people for His name." If we work in line with this purpose, success will crown our efforts and we shall be blessed. Individuals will come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Savior; that very knowledge will transform their lives and bring untold happiness in the midst of this world of sin. When the last individual is brought out of the world - the last living stone added to complete the edifice - then He, the Lord Jesus Christ, the righteous Judge, will come to put right and rule. He alone can do it, and He can do it alone.
1. If God is the sovereign ruler over all things, how does this affect how we relate to the world and society? 2. If we did our job “to serve the living and true God” in our jobs, families, relationships, academics, sports and other daily activities, would the world look any different? 3. What does the idea of doing our jobs with excellence have to do with fulfilling God’s purpose and being in His program?