Judgment

“For judgment I have come into this world . . . .” John 9:39. Who among all the converted people has understood it like that? “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world.” John 3:19. The usual thing is to judge according to the flesh, according to one’s human understanding and taste. All such judgments are unjust and evil because nothing good dwells in our flesh. Jesus came with the true and perfect light; He came with a righteous judgment. “You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.” John 8:15. Just as Jesus was the true light while He was here in the days of His flesh, so we are now—as many as are His disciples in truth (Luke 14)—the light of the world. It is our task to let all our light shine and not put it under a basket. Therefore each one will be judged. Those who agree with the judgment will receive the light and will be saved from sin which so easily ensnares us. Heb. 12:1. The one who lets the true light shine does not judge. The light itself is the judgment. If we judge ourselves, we will not be judged. Otherwise we will be judged. 1 Cor. 11:31.

Jesus came so that those who do not see might see, and that those who see might become blind. John 9:39. This means—and it cannot mean anything else—that those who acknowledge that they do not see or understand will receive true light and true salvation because they are humble. Conversely, those who are opinionated and conceited, thinking that they understand everything correctly, will remain blind, for the simple reason that they are haughty and think highly of themselves, which makes it impossible for them to receive grace from God to understand things correctly and be truly converted. God’s righteous judgment is that they shall continue to be blind. God’s kingdom is hidden to all such people. “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent [those who think they are] and have revealed them to babes [those who acknowledge their lack of understanding]. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” Matt. 11:25-26.

How could Jesus rejoice over the fact that those who thought they were wise—without being so—would not receive grace to be allowed to enter God’s kingdom? How could that be well-pleasing in the Father’s sight? Answer: James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5. Because this was divine righteousness! Because haughtiness—being conceited and great in your own eyes—is one of the worst and most abominable things in God’s eyes! Whereas humility—being insignificant and lowly in your own eyes—is one of the most lovable things in existence! A true proverb says: “Two great men do not fit into one sack.” However, there is plenty of room for ever so many small ones in the same sack. God reveals His glorious secrets and His glorious nature—His glorious life, the way of salvation and His glorious purpose—to all truth-loving and humble people, who therefore also melt together with the Son and the Father and with each other! There is no reason to be amazed over the fact that the majority of people obviously do not believe that it is possible to become one. How sad! It is absolutely impossible for conceited heads. Alas! Alas! Alas! Such people even dare to be a judge of God’s Word.