Will God really judge/condemn people?

As a sort of "flip-side" to the post below, and as a sort of exercise in final prep for tomorrow's sermon, I put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) today to crystallize a few thoughts.

I have a few friends who really want universalism to be true--you know, the idea that "in the end, everyone will be saved because God is, after all, loving." One or two of my friends even go so far as to say that even if this idea is NOT true, that all Christians should at least want it to be true. Now I haven't done tons of thinking about what I should "wish" to be true, but it seems to me that any and every wish or effort of my will that I have should line up with God's Word.

I would not want to wish for things that seem to violate Scripture. Doesn't that seem backwards? Like wishing that I could be godly without effort or that my troubles would all go away or that my elderly Grandma would never ever die??? Sure, it seems nice, but why even go there when I know what is real and true? In some ways it's a waste of time. God told me His will and mind on these subjects, and even though I don't necessarily fully understand things, I'm not going to waste lots of effort wishing them different.

So will your unsaved friend actually be judged to spend eternity in hell paying for his or her own sin? Yes. In fact, I answer this question in human terms, as if it "will happen." Actually, John 3:17 says the world who has not believed in Christ alone is "condemned ALREADY." The passage I've been reading this week says that the ungodly are now being "kept" (2 Peter 2:9) until the day of judgment. So the theological response to the title of this entry is that God has already judged and guaranteed the eternal punishment of the ungodly--the unrighteous.

No one takes delight in the judgment of those who die in their sin. It's a horrible reality. I hate even writing the words down. But they are true--a fact. Peter tells us that there are several reasons we should embrace the idea that sinners who die in their sin will actually be judged in hell forever:

• God has done this many times before. Look at "the ancient world" (Noah), and "Sodom and Gomorrah" (Lot), for instance. God "did not spare" them. Life is in His hands to do with what He pleases, and He owes no man an explanation. Judgment against sin is a comfort to sinners that God is truly just. That's why the cross is so beautiful and amazing. Nowhere does God's Word send out the idea to anyone that the cross accomplished the salvation of every person--even those who reject Christ and remain in their sin. 2 Peter 2 says that in the day of judgment, the ungodly will be eternally judged. The New Testament is replete with examples of this doctrine.
  
• The redeemed should take delight in our faithful God. In no way am I happy to see unbelievers judged. I am happy, however, to find God faithful in keeping His word, over and over again. Did He spare disobedient angels? No. The ancient world? No Sodom and Gomorrah? No and no. And His consistent judgment against sin should be a motivator for the redeemed to remember that God is serious about judging sin, trustworthy to always do everything He says He will and holy.
  
• Our hearts should be breaking for them! But not (as my friends above think) with some sort of sappy "if-only" mindset. Instead, my very soul should be (as Lot's was) troubled within me because of the filthy lives they live. This passion for God to be glorified must motivate me to lovingly speak up so they have the opportunity to hear the truth: they are not okay apart from Christ. They need the Savior!
  

May God embolden us BECAUSE His judgments are true and good, and may we never wish away reality with sappy sentiment. This whole world will give account to God. With a trembling soul, I take great delight in knowing that God will judge, how He will judge, and what "hope" is really all about.

My friend, come out from under the judgment of God right now by believing God and trusting Him exclusively! His forgiveness is not universal, but by His kindness, it is available through Jesus Christ, His son!!