She stands before the judge, tears filling her eyes, as one misdeed after another plays out on a Jumbotron for all to see.
He waves his arm toward the mammoth screen. “The evidence is clear,” he thunders. “You’ve committed numerous indiscretions. What do you have to say for yourself?”
Her response is barely audible. “I am guilty as charged, your Honor.”
“Highly disappointing,” he asserts. “However, my Book of Life does indicate you accepted the gift of eternal life made possible by my Son, so you will be allowed to enter heaven, but of course, your place will be far to the rear.
“You can also expect far fewer blessings in my celestial kingdom, compared to those who have lived truly saintly lives. You understand, of course.”
She nods and bows her head in shameful misery.
Such a scene is imaginary, of course, but reflects the fear and foreboding I used to feel toward the Judgment Day to come, when it’s my turn to face the Judge of all the earth.
After all, he is holy and I am a wretched sinner—even as a Jesus-follower. And though God has provided the way for me to escape hell when I die, he’ll have every right to reprimand me, even banish me to some far corner of heaven.
Perhaps you’ve been plagued by such thoughts as well. If so, have I got good news for YOU!
First, consider this passage from a praise-psalm of King David:
A rather surprising reason to rejoice, agreed?
David goes on to explain: “He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness” (v. 13).
Could God judge any other way? No. He is holy and perfect in all that he does and says.
That means all his righteous and faithful perfections will come into play as he fulfills this role: his compassion and grace, wisdom and discernment, goodness, patience, and more.
We can rest assured: on Judgment Day God will not divorce himself from these attributes and become a stern, vindictive, and unforgiving judge.
He is for us, not against us [1].
In addition we mustn’t forget that God is rich in mercy [2]–mercy “so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God”–Charles Spurgeon [3].
Another factor to keep in mind: the affirming promise the Apostle Paul included in his letter to the Romans. For clarity’s sake, here’s the Amplified Version:
“There is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]” [4].
Elsewhere Paul makes clear: the charge of our legal indebtedness has been cancelled.
I repeat, cancelled.
We have already been judged ‘not guilty’ in the courts of heaven.
—Sarah Young, Jesus Always, 236.
In fact, our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west [5].
So how might that opening scenario proceed differently for that Christ-following woman, standing before the Judge of all the earth?
He may open his Book of Life, find her name, and announce, “Ah! Here you are! Your debt has been fully paid by my Son.”
Then perhaps he’d lean forward on his forearms and smile warmly upon her. “Proceed through those doors to your right, my child, and enjoy forever my complete peace, joy, and blessing!”
* * * * * * * * * *
I praise you, O God, for your gift of salvation, not granted grudgingly because you feel sorry for us wretched creatures, but because you love us. That love is manifested by your kindness and compassion in spite of our sinful tendencies.
And now we can stand in a place of confidence and peace as we anticipate our homegoing to heaven—with no fear of retribution. Thank you, Lord God, our Father!
(Romans 5:8; Psalm 103:8-14; John 5:24)
P.S. Though all those who believe in Christ will receive all the benefits of eternal life in heaven, the rewards we receive for godly behavior will differ [6].
What might those rewards include and how do we earn them? Topics for another day!
[1] Romans 8:31b
[2] Ephesians 2:4-5
[3] Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), British preacher and author
[4] Romans 8:1 AMP
[5] Psalm 103:12
[6] John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 3:8
Image credits: http://www.itoldya420.getarchive.net; http://www.stockvault.net; http://www.canva.com (3); http://www.stockcake.com.
Please sign up below for the monthly newsletter that includes features not on the blog. And thank you in advance for becoming a subscriber!
Discover more from From the Inside Out
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
From the Inside Out 
Praise God for His great forgiveness through His precious Son, Jesus! We are such imperfect creatures and our sins are great, yet when we accept Jesus as Lord of our life, God looks and sees the perfection of His Son in us. I can’t think of a better gift of grace than that! Blessings, Nancy!
Thank you for the beautiful summary, Martha. Such truths are mind-boggling to contemplate, aren’t they?
How wonderful that the judge is completely just and infinitely merciful!
TT
[image: –Join me at Living Our Days]
Join me at Living Our Days https://michelemorin.net “The way we live our days is, of course, the way we live our lives.” (Annie Dillard)https://linktr.ee/MicheleDMorin
Amen, my friend!
Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy. Praise Him for His many blessings and miracles. Praise Him for His forgiveness for I am a sinner. Your “topics for another day” sound like something I’ll need to read and heed! 🙂
Praise him indeed, Nancy! He deserves our unending praise. / I’ve put “God’s Rewards” on the possible-topics list. I still have notes from Bruce Wilkerson’s book, A Life God Rewards (2002). Perhaps it’s time to revisit the subject!
👍😁
Nancy–your opening story was a real attention getter, and so close to my own prior views of judgement day –that I cringed!! It was a great set up–for the truth–the real truth of who God is and His true nature—this is not just good news–it is great news!! Thank you for delivering it so skillfully!! (I love your graphics!!)
Thank you, Katie, for your encouragement. I’m sure you and I aren’t the only ones who assumed that God was displeased with us and Judgment Day would be agonizing. Praise God for his love and grace! P.S. So glad you like the graphics. They’re fun to create!
It looks like at least one of your other readers also agrees. 🙂 (I’m so impressed with your creativity on your graphics—if you don’t mind–I might use these on my writer’s facebook page sometime–I will be sure to give you credit, however. (Or even my instagram page. 🙂 )
By all means, Katie. Feel free to use the graphics with my web address. I’m honored you’d choose to do so!
Thank you so much Nancy! 🙂 I appreciate you sharing your gifts to the glory of God!! 🙂
Thank you, dear Katie!
I felt the same way when I read the opening of this story. Praise God for His Grace and Mercy.
Amen! And thank you, Cheri!
I am so thankful for his mercy and the forgiveness we have in Jesus. Though we will stand before God, we do so as his children forgiven.
Amen, Matt–we’re loved by a merciful, compassionate, forgiving Father. Hallelujah!
For us, not against us. Incredible!
Indeed, Wynne!
reminds me once again we are not to judge, only God!
A good corollary to keep in mind. We do have to be careful about judging others. HE knows the whole story behind each person’s actions, we do not.
We can’t lose His love, use it up, disappoint it, or disappoint Him. Perfect love, perfect justice, perfect forgiveness, perfect grace. And we can’t do anything to earn it. A gift. I love the quote by Spurgeon. The great mercy of our God. Thanks for these inspirational words, Nancy. Hugely helpful.
I’m so glad you found inspiration here, Dayle. Praise God!
He made it so easy for us. All we have to do is believe and receive. He did the hard and agonizing thing of taking our sins onto Himself on the cross because He loves us. But we must not just rest on His Grace and Mercy. We are to share this beautiful GOOD NEWS as often as we are presented the opportunity to do so in whatever manner the Holy Spirit leads us. Great post, Nancy.
So true, Cheri–with our words and actions we’re to be salt and light, drawing others to Christ. May we live mindful that every encounter is an opportunity! Thank you for the reminder.
I love this song by the Getty’s. Here is one verse:
What love could remember no wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more.
I am so thankful for His great mercy!
That IS a great song, Pam. Praise God his mercy is more! Thank you for adding the lyrics to the conversation.
Thank You, Jesus, for welcoming us to Your heavenly home. Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son. Thank You, Spirit, for leading us onward with grace and truth.
Amen.
AMEN, Linda!
God is to be praised at all times for His love and mercy! This post reminded me of the verse from 1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
Praise God for his love that covers a multitude of sins. Now may we follow our calling to be just as forgiving of others. (And that leads us to yet another verse, Linda: Ephesians 4:32!)
Thank you Nancy! My power is out right now. I called the company and it will be fixed by 3 am. It is indeed great news.
Samuel L. Keifer
Hello Sam! This is NOT the time of year for the power to go out! (Of course, the winter months aren’t any better.) I hope they completed the work early!
Our pastor preached something similar this morning. When we continually come to Him having messed up again, we feel like we don’t deserve His love and forgiveness. But we never did. He knew we would mess up before He saved us. He sees us through His Son. He always welcomes us. What grace.
“He knew we would mess up before He saved us”–and yet he created a plan to redeem us anyway–a plan that would cause him pain in the suffering of His Son. What grace indeed! Thank you for your insightful comments, Barbara.
Loved this. Good food for thought. Thank you, Nancy. 🕊️
Get Outlook for iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef
Hello, Diane! How lovely to see your name in my inbox. I’m so glad you found good food for thought here, my friend!
Oh, the deep deep love of Jesus. He IS love. I can’t even fathom His love for me because we have no earthly comparison, but the father running to greet his prodigal son is a beautiful example of the Father’s love for us. He runs to me even in my sin. Blessings, Nancy, for your deeply encouraging and truth-filled words.
I’m so glad you found deep encouragement here, Patty. Praise God!