THE INEVITABLE ACCOUNTING
“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12 (NKJV)
“Judgment” is a thought-provoking word in and of itself. It is not often a pleasant thought in the life of anyone. When the judgment referred to has everlasting consequences the word immediately takes on a vastly greater significance. The Bible has much to say about judgment. Let’s consider some aspects of judgment as set forth in God’s Word.
I. THE EXTENT OF IT: “each of us”. No one is left out.
‘But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:10-12 (NKJV)
“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NKJV)
II.THE INESCAPABILITY OF IT: “And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 (AMP). You have heard it said: “Born once…die twice. Born twice…die once!” But the destiny of all mankind is physical death. After death comes judgment. For those who have not been born again, death is a terrible event because an eternity in hell awaits those who die without a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Death is an appointment we will all keep but it holds no fear for the redeemed.
III. THE PURPOSE OF IT: “give an account" We learn in the parable of the talents of such a reckoning. “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.” Matthew 25:19 (AMP)
IV. THE NATURE OF IT: It will be individual and personal. “of himself”. Our text (Romans 14:12) makes this point very clear. We read in Ecclesiastes 12:14 (AMP) “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.”
V. THE FINALITY OF IT: This judgment will be the point of “eternal fixation”.
1 John 1:7 (NKJV) reads: And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:10-12 (NKJV)
VI. STANDING IN JUDGMENT AND HAVING NO CHARGE AGAINST US: Just think of it! A lifetime of failures, shortcomings…and even sin… and yet there is not a single charge against us. You might ask: “How could such a thing be possible?” We find the answer in 1 John 1:9 (AMP). “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].”
This assurance is valid only for the born-again believer whose sins have been covered by the blood of Christ. The Apostle John wrote, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellow-ship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NKJV). Nothing but the blood of Christ Jesus can provide such a total, complete and eternal cleansing of all our sin.
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