When we have a relationship with Jesus, we know it. It is impossible to have a right relationship with God by accident or unknowingly. Therefore it is not complicated to understand how God knows if we are righteous. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’(Matthew 7:21-23)

We know that when we stand before God on the judgment day we will not stand as part of the group; we will be judged as individuals. However, what is happening in the book of Judges with the Israelites is not about personal salvation. It is about a group of people that God had chosen to be his ambassadors to the world. He had made them a nation and given them a mission. Clearly not every single Israelite had to be faithful and righteous in order for the nation of Israel to fulfill their mission. What is not clear is what percentage of the people needed to be righteous in order for them to be God’s people.

At the time God sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites, many, and probably most, of the Israelites were worshiping false gods. Because of that God, had withdrawn his protection from them and was not going to rescue them. The Scripture says that they confessed their sins and threw themselves upon God’s mercy. By His grace, God was merciful.

The church, like Israel has a mission and that mission will be impossible if only Christians are welcome. However, welcoming the world, and becoming like the world are two totally different things. The church must always be in the world, but never of the world.