Attributes of Allah – The Just Judge

The lecture affirms God’s attribute as the righteous Judge, balancing His mercy with His role as a just ruler who will account every person according to their deeds. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III urges the listener not to flee from mentioning the Day of Judgment or to be lax about repentance, but to face it with seriousness and spiritual responsibility.

Main Idea

• God is not only one attribute (loving, compassionate, merciful) but He is also holy and just; therefore we must not neglect His justice.

• True forgiveness is tied to sincere repentance: sins repented of are erased, while sins persisted in will be remembered at the account.

• Christ’s forgiveness means transferring the sin from the believer’s account to Christ’s account who bore them by His suffering and blood, but this does not permit deliberate continuation in sin.

Spiritual and Educational Dimension from a Coptic Orthodox Faith Perspective

• Fear of God and inner conscience: the wise Christian lives each moment as standing before God who examines hearts, thus walking with an awake conscience.

• Repentance is not only leaving sin (the negative side) but engaging in positive spiritual work (the positive side): loving the commandments, doing good, and purity of heart and tongue.

• The importance of emotional and spiritual contrition: the penitent’s weeping and sensitivity to his sins is evidence of the living heart’s return to God (as Peter’s bitter weeping).

Practical and Spiritual Notes

• Judge yourself before you are judged; that is, begin self-examination now so you are not surprised by the Lord’s judgment.

• Do not seek psychological comfort that numbs you about your eternal destiny; what is required is the soul’s rest through repentance and reconciliation with God.

• Do not distinguish between “big” and “small” sins before God: every sin is a sin, and the fruit of sin is death if one does not repent.

• Repentance has communal effect: one person’s sin may affect a people or community, therefore repentance is both individual and communal.

• Replace bad habits with productive spiritual works: when deeds change, everything becomes new in Christ.

Short Conclusion
The lecture calls the believer to live with a fear of God that is loving, to repent sincerely and do righteousness, being prepared to stand before the righteous Judge in garments of purity as in the vision of the white robes.

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