Imagine someone tells you that you’ve won a free trip to any destination of your choice. You’re excited, right? Well the day comes when all of your bags are packed and you’re ready to hop on that flight. You’re informed once you arrive that you have to pay for the hotel and all meal expenses. That’s not really a free trip, is it? You were given a partial truth because the flight was free. But the reality is anything less than the full truth is a setup for a let down.
Staking your vacation on misleading information would be disappointing to say the least—but can you imagine staking something as significant as your eternity on only partial truth? We cannot discuss eternity without discussing God’s judgment, for His judgment is what determines both where and how we will spend eternity.
As I look at many of the teachings being circulated in our churches, I’m amazed at how many Christians build their lives on everything from partial truths to complete falsehoods. There are even Christians who believe that because they are saved, they won’t stand before God as judge—a concept that would be largely foreign to the writers of the New Testament. Everyone will face judgment one day, including Christians. No one is exempt. Romans 14:10 says:
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.(NKJV)
Now as believers, we will not be judged according to our sins. Jesus paid the price to forgive us completely at the cross. But we will be judged for how we responded to God and His Word in this life, and rewarded accordingly. Did we build our lives on God’s entire Word or just part of it? Jesus made the basis of His judgement very clear in John 12:48–49:
The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. (ESV—emphasis added)
No one can bring their own standard to that day. No one can say, “I tried my best to live a good life.” It will do no good to claim that Jesus’s mercy as Savior prevented you from also knowing Him as Judge. It’s no secret, God’s own words that He has already spoken will judge us on that day.
Moreover, the term of God’s judgment is firmly decided. His verdict is final and there is no appeals court. All the choices and decisions from your life will then be eternally final (Hebrews 6:12).
Does it shake you to know these things? By God’s grace, we can face these truths with confidence according to 1 John 4:17:
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (NLT)
The topic of God’s judgment may not be pleasant for many people. But while we approach it with reverent fear, we do so with confidence. Many students fear their final exam, knowing they are unprepared. But those students who have been diligent to know what their teacher requires and put it into practice will approach that day with confidence.
Do not be shaken. As you continue to study eternal judgments, God’s Word will show you everything you need to become confident for that day.
