Judgment is Real
Oct 2, 2007
When we think of God, we often think of a kind loving forgiving father-figure who watches out for us and takes care of us. That is a good way to think of God, because that is how He is. He is kind and loving (Luke 6:35). He is a forgiving father-figure (Mark 11:25). And He does watch out for us and take care of us (Matthew 6:30-32). God does not just love humanity as a whole, He also loves each one of us individually (Matthew 18:12-14). It is good to think of God this way because He is this way. However, we must not make the mistake of thinking that God’s love for us means He expects nothing of us. 2nd Peter 3:9 says that God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” In other words, God does not want us to die spiritually, but He still lives the choice up to us. We can choose to do what He would have us do and repent. Or we can choose not to obey Him and accept the consequences. He will be judging us either way (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
As loving, kind, and merciful as God is, He expects us to obey His word. If we don’t, then He is terrifying (Hebrews 10:31). It’s good to remember God’s mercy, but let’s not forget His wrath. The God who loves us is also the God who “did not spare the angels who sinned…did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people…” and “[turned] the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes” (2nd Peter 2:4-6). God knows how to reward the faithful and obedient, but He also knows how to “reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2nd Peter 2:9).
It is a scary and unpleasant thought, but not everyone will be going to Heaven. In fact, Jesus said that more will be going to destruction than to spiritual life (Matthew 7:13+14). He also said that only those who do God’s will “shall enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21). The wicked will be sent to a place of everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:41, 46). For those who are not ready to be judged by God, the day of the Lord will be a very dark day (Amos 5:20).
God will be judging us and we cannot escape Him (Hebrews 12:25). He knows everything about each one of us and will be judging us according to our work. Hebrews 4:13 says that “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” 1st Peter 1:17 says that God, “without partiality judges according to each one’s work.” We certainly can’t hide from Him, no matter where we go (Amos 9:2-4).
We should remember how much God loves us and wants to reward us. Let’s also never forget that He will punish those who choose not to obey and let’s live our lives accordingly.
As loving, kind, and merciful as God is, He expects us to obey His word. If we don’t, then He is terrifying (Hebrews 10:31). It’s good to remember God’s mercy, but let’s not forget His wrath. The God who loves us is also the God who “did not spare the angels who sinned…did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people…” and “[turned] the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes” (2nd Peter 2:4-6). God knows how to reward the faithful and obedient, but He also knows how to “reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2nd Peter 2:9).
It is a scary and unpleasant thought, but not everyone will be going to Heaven. In fact, Jesus said that more will be going to destruction than to spiritual life (Matthew 7:13+14). He also said that only those who do God’s will “shall enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21). The wicked will be sent to a place of everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:41, 46). For those who are not ready to be judged by God, the day of the Lord will be a very dark day (Amos 5:20).
God will be judging us and we cannot escape Him (Hebrews 12:25). He knows everything about each one of us and will be judging us according to our work. Hebrews 4:13 says that “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” 1st Peter 1:17 says that God, “without partiality judges according to each one’s work.” We certainly can’t hide from Him, no matter where we go (Amos 9:2-4).
We should remember how much God loves us and wants to reward us. Let’s also never forget that He will punish those who choose not to obey and let’s live our lives accordingly.