Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. 1st Corinthians 4:5 (New American Standard Bible)
I am being honest here when I say I lived for many years in the fear of what God would have to say to me when I finally stood before him. No one has ever had to tell me how dark and deeply some of my thoughts and desires run or some of the really foolish things I’ve done in the past. Remembering those things and thinking of standing before the completely pure Judge of the universe is quite a frightening proposition. As I heard one person say at a church I once attended, “I don’t want to be there when God flashes my life before everyone on a giant screen.” It sounds funny to some while others understand that terror. We seem to have a natural fear of having our sins revealed and the thought of others seeing them on some giant cosmic movie screen seems unbearable. I don’t want to be faced with my life’s poor choices and I surely don’t want anyone to see a replay of any of my wicked acts. Oh, and by the way, Ken; let’s put some of your many thoughts on audio for everyone present to hear. Aw, come on.
Not having that done to any believer is based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All my sin was forgiven and forgotten through God’s full redemptive work (Micah 7:19). What a liberating thing to know all who are in Christ will not be humiliated by God but instead will receive their rewards and even praise from Him on the day we are called to stand before Him. Paul says all believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be rewarded for actions done in this life (2nd Corinthians 5:10). The good deeds will evoke one response while the ‘worthless’ actions will evoke another (1st Corinthians 3:15. Colossians 3:25). This judgment is for believers only. The unbelieving world will come before God at a future time to be judged for their deeds at His Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11).
No one can measure up to the perfection of God’s standard no matter how good they are. But there is rest from worry in the One True and Living God who says He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The great news is as we trust in this same One who promises us His eternal loyalty we can rest assured that on the day we do finally meet Him face to face, He will be absolutely delighted to see us. Sounds good to me.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
I am being honest here when I say I lived for many years in the fear of what God would have to say to me when I finally stood before him. No one has ever had to tell me how dark and deeply some of my thoughts and desires run or some of the really foolish things I’ve done in the past. Remembering those things and thinking of standing before the completely pure Judge of the universe is quite a frightening proposition. As I heard one person say at a church I once attended, “I don’t want to be there when God flashes my life before everyone on a giant screen.” It sounds funny to some while others understand that terror. We seem to have a natural fear of having our sins revealed and the thought of others seeing them on some giant cosmic movie screen seems unbearable. I don’t want to be faced with my life’s poor choices and I surely don’t want anyone to see a replay of any of my wicked acts. Oh, and by the way, Ken; let’s put some of your many thoughts on audio for everyone present to hear. Aw, come on.
Not having that done to any believer is based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All my sin was forgiven and forgotten through God’s full redemptive work (Micah 7:19). What a liberating thing to know all who are in Christ will not be humiliated by God but instead will receive their rewards and even praise from Him on the day we are called to stand before Him. Paul says all believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be rewarded for actions done in this life (2nd Corinthians 5:10). The good deeds will evoke one response while the ‘worthless’ actions will evoke another (1st Corinthians 3:15. Colossians 3:25). This judgment is for believers only. The unbelieving world will come before God at a future time to be judged for their deeds at His Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11).
No one can measure up to the perfection of God’s standard no matter how good they are. But there is rest from worry in the One True and Living God who says He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The great news is as we trust in this same One who promises us His eternal loyalty we can rest assured that on the day we do finally meet Him face to face, He will be absolutely delighted to see us. Sounds good to me.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
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