"We will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,' every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:10-12).(Google image, Court)
"We make it our goal to please him . . . For we must all appear before the judgment 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).
How many times a year do you include a major section in one of your sermons or Bible teaching on the judgment? How clearly have you taught your people—from the children to the adults—that all they do each day will be included in the things they face at the judgment and that they will be asked by Christ to give an account?
It is not enough to preach or teach what the judgment will mean for the sinner. You must make very clear what the judgment will mean for the believer.
Paul is speaking to Christians each time he says, "We must all stand" at the judgment. He includes himself. Elsewhere he clearly emphasizes that he is comparatively unconcerned about how other people judge him, because Christ is going to be his judge (1 Cor. 4:3-4).
Both good and bad things will be judged. The book of Revelation adds that there will not only be the Book of Life at the judgment, but other books also. These undoubtedly have the complete record of each life, including yours and mine (Rev. 20:12).
Every leader will face many questions about his ministry when he stands before Christ. Jesus has made him responsible for every Christian under his charge. He will be responsible for what he taught them and what he did not teach them of Bible truth.
If he teaches wrong doctrine, he will also have to answer for that. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that he must watch over his people as a person "who must give an account" to God for his stewardship of their lives.
Do you remember how concerned Paul was that he not be held accountable for anyone's blood? Acts 20:26 says, "I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men." What was Paul talking about: He was innocent of the blood of those he had taught and won to Christ. Why? Listen to his words: "I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God" (v.27).
He refers to his teaching he had taught them clearly every essential doctrine. Will you be able to say the same? How clearly do you teach Bible doctrine? Many Christian leaders are failing Christ at this point. They will be held accountable at the judgment, not for teaching wrong doctrine, but for omitting to teach essential true doctrine. No leader dare avoid doctrinal teaching.
Christ's great unfinished work is the evangelization of the world. Christ's blood was shed for the whole world (1 John 2:2). God loves the whole world. God does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). His number one priority today is for each believer to do everything humanly possible to win as many of the people of the world as possible. He died for them. Cannot we try to reach them?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
Ablaze for God
#58 The Day of Accountability is Coming
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 177-179) ZondervanPublishingHouse
I want to thank the Lord God for His help these past 9 years that I've been posting Faith Messages on this blog! As of today's posting, there have been 1,600 of them, with 196,051 Hits! My prayer is that they have been a blessing to my readers! Thanks for checking in from time to time, my friend. Jean
 |
| Open hands on Bible |
Father, help us to see that there will be a day in the future, that as believers, we will have to stand before the Lord Jesus to answer for how we spent our lives.
Your Word tells us in the book of Revelation, that the Book of Life will be opened at the judgment seat of Christ. There will be other books there that will have complete records of each of our lives, what we did, good or bad.
We must pray for our leaders/preachers to teach us the essential doctrines, as Christ's number one priority today is for each believer to do everything possible to win as many of the people around them as possible. He died for them. Shouldn't we try to reach them for Him?
Thank You for helping us understand that our lives count, and what we say, do and think can have a profound affect on our loved ones, as well as those we encounter.
We ask for Your Holy Spirit's guidance in our efforts to support our pastors/teachers in our prayers to preach the essential doctrines; which includes the coming judgment.
In Jesus' name we ask this. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
Is. 55:8, (NIV) "For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares
the LORD."
Ps. 71:18 (NIV) "Even when I am old and gray, do
not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the
next generation, your might to all who are to come."
Ps. 43:5 (AMP) "Why are you cast down, O my inner
self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted
within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him,
for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad]
countenance, and my God."
Heb. 13:7 (KJV) "Remember them which have the rule
over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God:
whose faith follow, considering the end of their
conversation."
Today's quote-Is. 55:8, (NIV) "For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares
the LORD."
Ps. 71:18 (NIV) "Even when I am old and gray, do
not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the
next generation, your might to all who are to come."
Ps. 43:5 (AMP) "Why are you cast down, O my inner
self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted
within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him,
for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad]
countenance, and my God."
Heb. 13:7 (KJV) "Remember them which have the rule
over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God:
whose faith follow, considering the end of their
conversation."
Today's question-
Do you understand that there is a "bigger picture"?
Most of us, maybe all of us at times, tend to think only of what is happening around us, and aren't even giving a thought of the effects of what we say, do and think on the next generation.
That is scary, as so many folks, including our own children, are being affected by our ways of handling life. Maybe some are not aware that they can make changes in their thinking, and to make drastic changes in what will happen, but the Lord Almighty has the power to do so; when asked in faith for Him to help. (See Ps. 5:11; 10:17 and many other Psalms).
Is. 55:8-9 tells us that God's thoughts are higher than ours, as well as His ways. Seems like we ought to check with Him for better thoughts and ways, don't you think?
3 questions to apply to ourselves:
1. Who are you? Be a man/woman of honor. Keep your word. Do it now! Be actively involved by following good teaching.
2. Who is next to you? Be an encourager to those around you, especially your children. Consider that anyone who sees you, is a witness of your way of living.
3. Who is coming after you? Our influence on others makes lasting impressions, whether we realize it or not. We have opportunities to minister to others through what we say, do and think, (which affects our behavior, and may theirs also).
Our connection with others, one way or another, goes beyond today and into the "Bigger Picture" of life, which tends to involve others.
Do you understand that there is a "bigger picture"?
Most of us, maybe all of us at times, tend to think only of what is happening around us, and aren't even giving a thought of the effects of what we say, do and think on the next generation.
That is scary, as so many folks, including our own children, are being affected by our ways of handling life. Maybe some are not aware that they can make changes in their thinking, and to make drastic changes in what will happen, but the Lord Almighty has the power to do so; when asked in faith for Him to help. (See Ps. 5:11; 10:17 and many other Psalms).
Is. 55:8-9 tells us that God's thoughts are higher than ours, as well as His ways. Seems like we ought to check with Him for better thoughts and ways, don't you think?
3 questions to apply to ourselves:
1. Who are you? Be a man/woman of honor. Keep your word. Do it now! Be actively involved by following good teaching.
2. Who is next to you? Be an encourager to those around you, especially your children. Consider that anyone who sees you, is a witness of your way of living.
3. Who is coming after you? Our influence on others makes lasting impressions, whether we realize it or not. We have opportunities to minister to others through what we say, do and think, (which affects our behavior, and may theirs also).
Our connection with others, one way or another, goes beyond today and into the "Bigger Picture" of life, which tends to involve others.
Upcoming posts-
3 Graduations: Grief, Greatness, & Glory
6/2 Saturday's post by Ron Hutchcraft
#59 Do You Love the World as God Does?
5th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#60 Prepare Your People to Pray
7th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Pushing Red Buttons
9th- Saturday's post by Sarah Rollandini
3 Graduations: Grief, Greatness, & Glory
6/2 Saturday's post by Ron Hutchcraft
#59 Do You Love the World as God Does?
5th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#60 Prepare Your People to Pray
7th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Pushing Red Buttons
9th- Saturday's post by Sarah Rollandini
Jean's published book Paper back $7.95
(Be sure to "look inside" to see contents
through the 2nd devotion)
No comments:
Post a Comment