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"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. Knowing, therefore, the terror
of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well-known to God, and
I also trust are well-known in your consciences" (2 Cor. 5:9-10).
To the Hebrews Paul wrote: ". . . it is appointed for men to die
once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).
There are many things in life that we can avoid. But, we cannot
escape our appearance before the judgment seat of Christ. For people
outside of Christ, this is a fearful thought. But for Christians,
we look forward to the day of standing before our Lord having been
washed in his blood.
What will happen at the judgment? What will it be like to stand
before Christ and be judged? What will you do when standing before
the Lord in judgment?
After being judged, some souls will enter into the blessed rest
of our heavenly Father and some will enter into eternal punishment.
Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven with the parable of a marriage
feast. At the end of the parable Jesus speaks of the punishment
reserved for those who did not respond to the call saying: "Then
the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him
away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matt.
22:13-14). In another place Jesus speaks of eternal punishment as
the place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.
Punishment of those who are not obedient to the will of God will
be greater than we are capable of imagining. There will be "punishment
with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from
the glory of His power" (2 Th. 1:9).
Everyone must die. And, everyone must appear before the judgment
seat of Christ. But we can all escape the eternal torment of hell
through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Peter said: "And if you call on the Father, who without partiality
judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout
the time of your sojourning here in fear; knowing that you were
not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from
your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot" (1 Pet. 1:17-19).
Jesus' blood is precious. It is of great value. Because of Jesus
and the shedding of His blood, we may escape the eternal torment
of hell and live with our God and Savior for eternity.
If we truly understand our impending judgment and the punishment
awaiting the unjust, we will diligently seek to contact Christ's
blood. And, if we appreciate the extreme value of Jesus and His
blood, we will diligently seek after Him. Jesus said: "Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man
found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he
has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl
of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it" (Matt.
13:44-46).
In one respect, the treasure and pearl of great price are Jesus
Christ. Have you sold all that you have to obtain Him as Lord of
your life?
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