The Judge Is Standing at the Door

Scripture quotations ESV

“Behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” (James 5:9)

Summary: Jesus, entrusted with all judgment, is at the door—knocking in mercy now, returning in glory soon. This post calls us to examine ourselves, repent and believe, abide in the Word, and persevere in holiness by the Spirit, while belonging to a church that treats Scripture as the final authority.

We are not invited to set dates; we are commanded to stay awake. The New Testament speaks with clarity: the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son, who even now knocks in mercy and will soon appear in glory. This is both warning and welcome.

1) All Judgment to the Son

“For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” (John 5:22)
“An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28–29)

Jesus also insists that Moses wrote of Him (John 5:45–47); unbelief is not a lack of data but a refusal to receive the One foretold by the Law and the Prophets.

2) He Knocks Now: Worship in Spirit and Truth

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20)
“The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” (John 4:23–26)

Christ’s knock exposes churches and hearts that have sidelined Him. His desire is communion—on His terms, in truth and love.

3) Strong Disciples Are Taught Disciples

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

Many are saved yet undernourished because doctrine is thin. Life in the Spirit (cf. Romans 8) is learned in the school of Word, prayer, and community.

4) Examine Yourselves; Test the Fruit

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Cor 13:5–6)
“You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matt 7:15–20)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father.” (Matt 7:21–23)

Profession without transformation is self-deception. The fruit test is not perfectionism; it is direction. Do your habits, loves, and loyalties increasingly align with Christ’s commands (John 8:31–36; 1 John 2:3–6)?

5) Fatherly Discipline and Holy Perseverance

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.” (Heb 12:1–2)
“For the moment all discipline seems painful… later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb 12:11–14)

God’s discipline marks us as sons and daughters; it trains us toward holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

6) Warnings We Dare Not Muffle

“God is not mocked: whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Gal 6:7–9)
“The coming of the lawless one… with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth.” (2 Thess 2:9–12)
“If we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins… It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb 10:26–31)
“Wake up… remember… keep it, and repent.” (Rev 3:1–3)

These passages are not aimed at robbing assurance but at preventing presumption. The same grace that saves also trains us to renounce ungodliness (Titus 2:11–14).

7) Grace That Trains, Not Excuses

“Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! … so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom 6:1–4)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments… I will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (John 14:15–17, 21, 23–24)
“(Thus he declared all foods clean.) … What comes out of a person is what defiles him.” (Mark 7:18–23)

We are justified by faith apart from works of the law (Gal 2:15–21), yet the new covenant writes God’s law on our hearts (Heb 8:10). The Spirit empowers obedience; love for Christ expresses itself in keeping His word.

8) Repentance: God’s Gift and Our Call

“Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:36–41)
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out… that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” (Acts 3:18–26)
“God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim 2:24–26)
“Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret.” (2 Cor 7:8–13)

Repentance is both commanded and enabled. Turning from wickedness is itself a blessing from the Lord.

9) Stand Firm in the Word in a Truth-Averse Age

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty… having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” (2 Tim 3:1–5)
“Preach the word… for the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching… but will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” (2 Tim 4:1–5)
“Contend for the faith… for certain people have crept in unnoticed… who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality.” (Jude 3–4; cf. Jude 8–13)
“There will be false teachers among you… even denying the Master who bought them.” (2 Pet 2:1–3; cf. 2:20–22)

Shepherds must hold firm to the trustworthy word, teaching sound doctrine and rebuking error when needed (Titus 1:7–11, 13–16). This is love, not harshness.

10) Hope That Purifies

“The Lord is not slow… but patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Pet 3:8–13)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” (Eph 1:3–7)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.” (1 John 1:7–9)
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.” (Phil 2:12–16)

Assurance is real and precious—but it is kept warm by abiding in Christ’s word, walking in the light, and persevering in holiness.

How to Respond—Today

Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 16:31).
Be baptized as public identification with Christ (Acts 2:41; 8:36–38).
Abide in Scripture and prayer; commit to a local, Bible-anchored church that submits to Scripture as the final authority and refuses to add to or take away from God’s Word (Acts 2:42; Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18–19).
Bear fruit worthy of repentance by the Spirit’s power (Gal 5; John 15).
Watch and wait with hope—the Judge who knocks in mercy today will soon appear in glory (Rev 3:20; James 5:9).

Footnotes & Clarifications

[1] Translation: All Scripture quotations are ESV (© Crossway).
[2] “Christ” = “Messiah”: Christos (Gk.) = Mashiach (Heb.) = “Anointed One.” Jesus is Israel’s Messiah and the world’s Savior (John 4:22).
[3] Worship “in spirit and truth” is not mood + sincerity; it is worship empowered by the Spirit and governed by the truth of God’s Word.
[4] Warnings & assurance: Biblical warnings (Heb 10; 2 Pet 2; Jude) are means God uses to keep His people watchful and obedient; they are not licensed for despair.

The Judge is standing at the door!