Why you should beg for the Church to judge you

We often hear phrases like "only God can judge me". This is seen as some kind of profound statement. Sort of like "I'm free to live my life my way, and there's nothing you can do about it". In truth, the phrase "only God can judge me" should terrify those who say it, because if only God can judge you...

God

can

judge

you.

Now you see the problem. As Christians, it is not our place to judge you, but it is our place to warn you of the very thing you are using as a shield against those warnings. God's judgements are horrific. You only need to look back on His earthly judgements to see this. Sodom and Gomorrah scorched by fire raining down upon them. Egypt plagued 10 times before having their armies utterly demolished by the Red Sea. The entire world being flooded, sparing only 8 people. Even Israel, God's chosen people, were not immune from His wrath. This is what happened to those who crossed God in the past, and that was just on our side of the Throne. What do you imagine Hell will be like for those who actively choose to remain on its paths?

If you truly believe only God can judge you, you should be grateful when His servants urge you to obey Him. You should be practically begging for rebuke from the Church, because while we can do nothing to you, the God we serve will not tolerate evil for long. As "you only live once" is intended to make you live your life, not throw it down the toilet, "only God can judge me" should be a sobering reminder that such judgement is coming. Would you rather Him say "well done, faithful servant", or "away from me, you who practice lawlessness"?