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
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From the Inside Out 