Friday, June 22, 2018

What Will You Have To Offer When You Finally Stand Before Jesus?

My Utmost For His Highest 

With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. —Matthew 7:2

{CHAMBERS} “This statement is not some haphazard theory, but it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgment you give will be the very way you are judged. […] Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statements of the Bible. For instance, do we really believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very things we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is humility, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, “Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore, I have no right to judge.””

{ELGIN} Imagine, if you will, standing before Jesus.  Giving an account for your life as a Christian – and all Christians will.  That time will not be about forgiveness of sins .. Our salvation will not be at stake.  Would it make any sense to say that your sins are forgiven but for only as long as you are living this mortal life, but then – whoa baby (something my mom used to say) – wait until you stand before Jesus .. He is going to bring it all up and then you are going to get hammered for all of the sins you committed after you were born again?  Think about it.  That contradicts what the Bible says about salvation, forgiveness, redemption … It’s not about me … it’s about Jesus .. it’s about grace.

(Romans 8:1-4) “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

But, like the man who hid his one talent … we will give an account for what we have done with what He has given ..  a glorious salvation – inhabited by His Spirit – imbued with specific spiritual gifts for the purpose of edifying the Body of Christ and lifting the name of Jesus up to the world.   When we stand before Jesus what will we have to offer - “silver, gold and precious stones” or “wood, hay and stubble”? I think that at that moment – when the world is not longer exerting its influence on us – the only thing we will want to hear is “Well done my good and faithful servant!”  But the truth is that many will be – no less saved – but much more aware that they squandered the opportunity and their God-given purpose.  Much of the reason why Christians are carnal is because they are ignorant of who they are in Christ and immersed in the pursuit of the pleasures of this world. But one day, there will be deep regret in the hearts of many saints. Please don’t let one of them be you!

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