Jesus The Judge Series

It is love that is to save people from judgement – not “fire and brimstone” scare tactics – because God is love. Furthermore, the message of salvation is a message of love because salvation is available as a free gift from God. I continue a previous Bible reading – Ephesians 2:3-10: “ … we were by nature objects of God’s wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved … it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast … ” None of our own works and good behaviour will save us but if we trust in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us on the cross, then we receive forgiveness and a judgement which declares us righteous (on account of Jesus’ holy blood which was spilled for us). Thus, I continue another previous Bible reading – John 3:17-18: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 5:22-30: “ … I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life … ” This is good news from a God that loves us. [Excursus: Talk about faith and works and that these two concepts are not really contradicting each other because any good tree cannot do otherwise but bear good fruit.]

What is more, those that believe in Jesus now will not face judgement like unrepentant sinners. A more accurate translation of the previous Bible reading says – John 5:22-30: “ … I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgement; but he has crossed over from death to life … ” The verdict on our life has already happened. We are saved. However, then there is still a judgement which some call “job performance evaluation”. Our submission to Jesus will always result in works of obedience – prompted by the Holy Spirit and done in his power – and these works – all that we have done – will be judged in eternity. I read only one passage from the Bible – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15: “ … each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any person builds on this foundation using god, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his 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. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through flames.”

This is a big topic for another message but imagine that everything you do will be carefully scrutinized in eternity and will determine whether you will be rewarded in heaven (we will not all be the same in heaven – some have higher rewards than others) or suffer loss. [Cf. Matthew 6:1: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before people, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”]