| We are Accountable Before we die 2 basic issues must be resolved. The first is : "Am I ready?" Have you confessed you sins and asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart, to take possession of your life? Millions of Christians throughout the world are assured "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved"(Rom 10:9). But the Christian life does not end there! The next basic issue if "How then do I live?" This is to say, before you die, what service will you render to God and man? Are you investing your life in those things that will last for eternity? "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Cor 5:9-10). The Bible says we will all have to give account to Jesus someday (1 Pet 4:5). We wil stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10). On that day, what we have done on earth will be past. Our chances to speak to the neighbour about the love of Christ, to give to missions, to help evangelism, will be over. Opportunities to share our earthly goods with the starving will be gone. Whatever gifts we were given will be worthless if we hoarded them on earth. The believer has his foundation in Jesus Christ. Now we are upon this foundation, and the work we have done must stand the ultimate test; final exams come at the Judgement Seat of Christ when we receive our rewards. Paul explained this building process when he said : No one can ever lay any other real foundation than that one we already have - Jesus Christ! But there are various kinds of materials that can be used to build on that foundation. Some use gold and silver and jewels; and some build with sticks, and hay, or even straw! There is going to come a time of testing at Christ's Judgement Day to see what kind of material each builder has used. Everyone's work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished. Then every workman who has built on the foundation with the right materials, and whose work still stands, will get his pay. But if the house he has built burns up, he will have a great loss. He himself will be saved, but like a man escaping through a wall of flames (1 Cor3:15). We will be judged according to the secret motives and the character of our work. If we have done our work for selfish motives or personal gain, even if the results looked noble to our friends and family, God knows our hearts. Also, we will be judged according to our ability. Some Christians are capable of more than others, physically, financially, or intellectually. The grandmother living on a small pension but faithfully teaching her little grandchild Bible verses will not be judged for her giving a pittance to missions in the same manner as the business couple with a double income, living in a house beyond their means. The retired couple who count the offering every Sunday, never divulging the amount anyone in the congregation contributes, will not be tested in the same way as the millionare who wants an insriptino on the stained glass window, so everyone will know who donated it. Some of the most severe tests will be given to the pastors and teachers for the way in which they handled the Word of God. There will be no reward for leading others astray in lifestyle or in doctrine through false teaching. When Christ returns, every Christian will stand before the bema (The Judgement Seat of Christ), not as spectators, but as those to be judged. The Bible does not say where this judgement will take place, and the logistics of millions of saints standing there are beyond comprehension. But one thing is certain, we must all appear. The Judgement Seat of Christ will be graduation ceremonies at which time each believer will receive a reward for his works. The New Testatment teaches these rewards are called "crowns". We will surely be surprised to note who receives the crowns and who does not. The lowliest servant may sparkle with more jewels than the philanthropist who endowed the church and whose name is engraved on the plaque in the narthex. We all long for appreciation, which does not always come from those around us; however, we have assurance that Jesus knows the intentions of our hearts and what we do in secret. "Therefore,my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor 1:58) |
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| Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. - Hebrews 4:13 |