Judgment Seat

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. Romans 2: 5-6 (NIV Bible)

Who will be judged? Everyone! Clearly, God is worthy of or our honor and gratitude, and yet, people do not give this to Him. Who are these people? We can find the answer in Romans 1:28-32; “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” Talk about convicting! There is more!

It is written in Luke 12: 4-5; (Jesus is speaking.) “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” There is no group and no one not subject to judgment; whether you be the President of the United States, a CEO, a member of congress, a teacher, a laborer, an actor, a pastor, a union leader, or any other person, you are subject to the judgment of God. This design reflects the judgment seat of God. It is regal. It is royal. It is commanding. It is over-powering. All will come before this Judgement Seat and will be judged. And in Romans 2:8, Paul writes; “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” Makes you think, doesn’t it!

It is by grace through faith we are saved; not of ourselves. But it is truly a gift from God. The way we respond to this gift is the key. Our deeds, our works do not earn us our salvation, but they show our faith and love for the Lord. It is recorded in Matthew 25:46 that Jesus said, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Trust in Christ and choose life, delighting in the glorious hope in Jesus!