The Justice of Self-judgement

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

There is much written of God’s judgement

But, in truth, there may be a harsher judge

Whose assessment may cause the greater lament

And whose intimate knowledge we can’t begrudge

We all know the phrase, “He is his own worst enemy.”  It is often what we do to ourselves that define who we are – not other people or situations.  Our moment-to-moment decisions create the cellular transactions of body and spirit that refine and define what think, what we feel, and what we do.  These choices define our character and, in the end, become the evidence of a life well-lived or a life sadly wasted.

We, then, are our own judges in the sense that we are agents unto ourselves – making both right and wrong choices.  It is us who will present our body and spirit before the judgement bar of God. It will be the cumulative decisions and transactions of our lives that will be placed on the altar of judgement.  In this sense it may be that, between God and us, we might be the harsher judge – for we will have created the evidence that will judge us.  It is us who are often more inclined to sense our weaknesses more than our strengths.  We, who often judge ourselves so severely, appear less inclined to accept God’s grace than He is to give it - for He sees perfectly and knows not only who we are, but who we were before this life, and who we will be in the eternities.

Because of the justice of our own self-judgement, it is important that we choose the right in our daily transactions.  For whatever we choose, it becomes part of our temporal record on judgement day – the record known as “the Book of Life.”  The atonement of Christ affords us the opportunity to have the undesirable parts of our record expunged and eliminated as if they never existed.  Application of the atonement is a process of repenting and changing our thoughts, feelings and actions. It is a choice and an important shaper of character on our path to perfection.  Following the example of Christ, we can grow by obedience to God’s laws. The writer of Hebrews stated it this way, “Though he (Christ) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;  9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;  Hebrews 5:8-9.  Though sinless, yet He too had to allow the choices in His daily life to shape His divine and perfect character. 

Our meditation reflects on this aspect of judgement – the impact of our moment-to-moment choices that define us and ultimately judge us before the final bar of judgement.  Thus we reflect on “The Justice of Self-judgement.”

This is the justice of our inner self-judgement

Unrepented evidence in determining our fate

But the atonement redeems if we only repent

Or, our deeds will betray us at judgement’s gate

The Justice of Self-judgement

And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.  And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil.  …. For behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.  Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will, may walk therein and be saved.

Book of Mormon   Alma 41:3-8

There is much written of God’s judgement

But, in truth, there may be a harsher judge

Whose assessment may cause the greater lament

And whose intimate knowledge we can’t begrudge

For all our thoughts, and feelings, and actions

Leave their telltale marks in the body and mind

A history of behavior in cellular transactions

A record, of sorts, by which we are defined

Thus, we become our own judge and jury

By what we choose - either wrong or right

Choices that imprint on us evil and hell’s fury

Or, choices that infuse us with truth and light

This is the justice of our inner self-judgement

Unrepented evidence in determining our fate

But the atonement redeems if we only repent

Or, our deeds will betray us at judgement’s gate

For the decrees of God are unalterable

He judges by how we have lived and behaved

But invites all to repent and sit at His table

There to be redeemed, sanctified, and saved

Larry Doyle Crenshaw