Pastor's Ponderings, November 18, 2019

God’s Judgment Blesses His Children

Many of us in November 2019 are fascinated with the process of the potential fourth impeachment of a president in the history of the United States.  Witnesses have given riveting testimony of actions that may be considered as grounds for the removal of a sitting Commander in Chief.  This process makes me think of the judgement that we all must face one day.  Given the gravity of these proceedings, we may have to ask what kinds of actions are we doing that could be brought into judgement by the eternal God at the end of time?

Those of us who love the Lord understand that we will be judged after death at the Bema seat where Christ will give out rewards and crowns for how well we performed during our lives.  Some will receive rewards while others will simply be saved from Hell but will get no rewards (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).  

Since we must give an account of every word and thought during this earthly sojourn (Matthew 12:36, Ecclesiastes 12:14) let us live our lives with a reverential fear (1 Peter 1:17) knowing that it is a dreadful thing  to fall in the hands of an angry God (Hebrews 10:31).  Nevertheless, we have a loving God who, upon our request, will forgive us for our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  

We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, but when He became our Savior, (Romans 10:9, 10), we don’t have to be terrified of His judgement because He paid the penalty for sin on the cross (Galatians 3:13).  His judgement is a blessing for us.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15
New International Version (NIV)

12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 
14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 

15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames

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

Ecclesiastes 12:14

New International Version

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil

1 Peter 1:17
New International Version (NIV)

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Hebrews 10:31
New International Version (NIV)

31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

1 John 1:9
New International Version (NIV)

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 10:9-10
New International Version (NIV)

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Galatians 3:13
New International Version (NIV)

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”