Judgment

One of the most difficult topics to discuss in Christianity is God’s judgment.  There are various interpretations of what will happen, and it is often more pleasing to think on God’s goodness and His help for believers at the present time than to confront a day of judgment.

But the Bible is very clear.  Every person will face a day of judgment before God.  At that time, God will measure our life and determine whether we deserve eternity in heaven or in hell.

“God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” (Ecclesiastes 3:17)

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36)

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” (John 5:28-29)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

God’s judgment is assured for all people.  God is just.  His judgment is final and is right.  God will judge each of us with the same standard.

“let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity” (Psalm 98:9)

At the time of judgment, God’s decision of our fate will not be based on a ratio of how much good we did versus how much bad.  God judges our lives by how we loved Him and his son Jesus.  Nothing we can argue will convince God of our righteousness.  He is the only one who can save us.

“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22)

For those who have not known God during their life, who have refused to accept Jesus as their savior and have not lived a life of dedication to him, God will bring eternal punishment in the fires of hell.

“For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the LORD” (Isaiah 66:16)

“From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the LORD.  ^“And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind” (Isaiah 66:23-24)

“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.  God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” (Romans 2:5-6)

“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:40-42)

“If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:6)

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.” (Revelation 21:8)

“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

Fortunately, God has provided an assurance of salvation for all who are willing to believe.  By believing in Jesus Christ, accepting Him as Savior and Lord, and living a life guided by faith in Christ, we can escape the punishment of God on judgment day.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them.  But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” (Malachi 4:1-2)

Have you thought about how God will judge you?