HOW BELIEVERS WILL BE JUDGED
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WORD FROM THE HOLY BIBLE FOR TODAY
Revelation 20:12
“I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.”
REFLECTION
THE SINS AND SHORTCOMINGS OF BELIEVERS WILL BE REVEALED IN THE JUDGMENT AS FORGIVEN SINS
“What about the last judgment? Will our sins be remembered? Will they be revealed? Anthony Hoekema puts it wisely like this: “The failures and shortcomings of . . . believers . . . will enter into the picture on the Day of Judgment. But — and this is the important point — the sins and shortcomings of believers will be revealed in the judgment as forgiven sins, whose guilt has been totally covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.”
Picture it like this. God has a file on every person (the “books” of Revelation 20:12). All you’ve ever done or said (Matthew 12:36) is recorded there with a grade (from “A” to “F”). When you stand before “the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10) to be judged “for what [you have] done in the body, whether good or evil,” God will open the file and lay out the tests with their grades. He will pull out all the “F’s” and put them in a pile. Then he will take all the “D’s” and “C’s” and pull the good parts of the test out and place them with the “A’s”, then put the bad with the “F’s.” Then he will take all the “B’s” and “A’s” and pull the bad parts out of them and put them in the “F” pile, and put all the good parts in the “A” pile.
Then he will open another file (“the book of life”) and find your name, because you are in Christ through faith. Behind your name will be a wood-stick match made from the cross of Jesus. He will take the match, light it, and set the “F” pile, with all your failures and deficiencies, on fire and burn them up. They will not condemn you, and they will not reward you.
Then he will take from your “book of life” file a sealed envelope marked “free and gracious bonus: life!” and put it on the “A” pile (see Mark 4:24 and Luke 6:38). Then he will hold up the entire pile and declare, “By this your life bears witness to the grace of my Father, the worth of my blood, and the fruit of my Spirit. These bear witness that your life is eternal. And according to these you will have your rewards. Enter into the everlasting joy of your Master.””
- By John Piper. © Desiring God Foundation.
HOW BELIEVERS WILL BE JUDGED
THE SINS AND SHORTCOMINGS OF BELIEVERS WILL BE REVEALED IN THE JUDGMENT AS FORGIVEN SINS
Believers in Jesus will face judgment, not for condemnation, but to evaluate their faithfulness and stewardship. Here are four points to consider: 1. Judgment Based on Christ’s Righteousness: Believers are justified through faith in Jesus, meaning their sins are forgiven, and they are clothed in His righteousness (Romans 8:1). The judgment for believers is not about salvation but about rewards for their faithfulness. 2. Evaluation of Works: Believers will give an account of how they lived their lives, including their actions, words, and motives (2 Corinthians 5:10). Good works done in obedience and for God’s glory will be rewarded, while selfish or worthless deeds will be exposed (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). 3. Stewardship of Gifts and Resources: Believers will be judged on how they used the time, talents, and resources God entrusted to them (Matthew 25:14-30). Faithfulness in serving God and others reflects a life lived in gratitude for His grace. 4. The Heart and Motives Matter: God examines not only outward actions but also the intentions of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). Believers should strive to serve with sincerity, humility, and love, knowing that their aim is to please Christ. Reflecting on these truths helps believers live purposefully, with an eternal perspective, and encourages faithfulness to God’s calling.
Neven MacEwan
Heavenly Father, I come before You in humility, acknowledging that one day I will stand before Your throne. Thank You for the assurance that, through Jesus Christ, I am clothed in His righteousness and not condemned. Help me to live each day in light of eternity, striving to honor You in all that I do. Lord, grant me wisdom to steward the gifts, time, and opportunities You have entrusted to me. Purify my heart and motives, so that my works reflect sincere love for You and others. Strengthen me to persevere in faith and obedience, even in trials, knowing that my labor in You is not in vain. May Your Spirit guide me to live with integrity and purpose, always seeking to glorify Your name. As I approach the day of Your judgment, fill me with hope and confidence in Your grace, trusting that You are faithful to complete the good work You have begun in me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Neven MacEwan
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