Final Judgment

Why do believers face a final judgment if Christ paid for our sins?*

1. Judgment isn't the same as punishment. The punishment for sin is death, but believers receive eternal life (Romans 6:23).

However, Scripture says God still judges believers (Matthew 12:36; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

2. Just as we suffer consequences for our sins here on earth even though we're forgiven, perhaps our final consequence is a thorough understanding of how much our sins hurt God  (e.g. Genesis 6:5-6). 

It seems right that we'd have opportunity to express our sorrow for sins we overlooked here on earth.

3. Christ promises to wipe away every tear in heaven (Revelation 21:4).  Perhaps our last tears will be at the final judgment. How wonderful to know we won't carry that burden for eternity. 

When we stand before the judgment seat of God, Christ will explain that our names are written in the Book of Life because of what He did for us (1 John 2:1; Revelation 20:11-12). 

Amen! 

* One of my readers asked this question in an email, and I thought it was important enough to cover in a Bible Love Note. If you have any questions you'd like answered in a Bible Love Note, please let me know. ~ Gail

Bible Study

1. Christians are so careful to emphasize that salvation is not about works that we sometimes overlook the important reminders in the following verses. While salvation is not about works, the things believers think, do and say matter very much to God.

Matthew 12:36: But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 

2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 

2. Do you ever think about how your sins grieve the heart of God? How would doing this add to your gratefulness for God's grace? 

Genesis 6:5-6: The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 

3. Imagine facing the judgment seat without Christ. Does this passage inspire any thoughts or actions?

Revelation 20:11-12: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 

copyright 2016, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSize BibleStudy.com

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