Question on the Judgment

February 26, 2007

Lar,I was actually posting at the same time you were brother! We are moving a little slow this Monday morning (even though it is late afternoon here!). Anyhow….here is what I posted.

I received this inquiry today and thought it was a good one. Things have been a bit slow for a Monday morning, but this might help to get the conversation started. Here it is….

“What is the day of judgment? And what does it mean that by your words you will be judge and give account of all that you have said on the day of judgment? All the awful things I have said, even if I have confessed and pray to have my heart changed and regenerated, will I still be judged on them?”

Now that is a big one for sure, but I thought it would be helpful to first give very succinct answers to the question. I do this not because I am crazy, but because sometimes that is what I want when I ask a clear question. Sometimes I think to myself, “Just give me the answer up front and then do some explanation!” So that is what I will do. Then I want to recommend one particular sermon that will surely serve to answer the question better than I. That will be it for this post, but then I figure, either you or I could compile some verses to support the brief points I’ll make here.

First, the Day of Judgment is that final day on which the Lord will judge every single human being perfectly and finally to either everlasting joy in His presence or everlasting destruction and suffering in hell.

That seems pretty succinct enough to me. Note: This judgment is upon every human being. It is final. It is perfect. It is complete. It stands forever.

Second, we hear the Bible state often that we will be judged on the basis of our works. Naturally, this includes the question of our being judged by our words. What is up with this? Aren’t we saved only on the basis of faith?

Succinct answer: We will ultimately and finally be judged by our works and words because they serve to reveal plainly before God whether or not our faith was real.

This makes sense right? Faith without good works and words is dead faith. If our faith is real, we will overflow in genuine works of righteousness and faithful speech. Thus, God can say that salvation is wholly by faith and that judgment is on the basis of works. Pretty straightforward I believe.

Lastly, here’s a sermon by John Piper that serves as a great answer to this question. I would encourage everyone to give it a read. Here’s a summary quote.

It is by grace we are saved through faith; not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. But the heart that is full of faith will overflow in attitudes and actions very different from those which flow from unbelief. Therefore, our deeds will testify truly to the genuineness or absence of faith, and it is not inconsistent for God to judge us according to our works. But we must understand that this judgment according to works does not mean we earn our salvation. Our deeds do not earn, they exhibit our salvation. Our deeds are not the merit of our righteousness, they are the mark of our new life in Christ. Our deeds are not sufficient to deserve God’s favor, but they do demonstrate our faith. Please keep that distinction clear in your mind regarding our attitudes and actions: they do not earn, they exhibit; they do not merit, they mark; they do not deserve, they demonstrate. And therefore, “God will render to every man according to his deeds,” including Christians.

That says it quite well right? Better than I could no doubt. There is also more treasure to be found in this sermon, so once again, I would encourage everyone to give it a read. Also, I would mention that we love to receive questions–right Lar? So please feel free to ask away!

Let’s talk a bit more about this, even if it means some personal reflection in response. For as we know, it isn’t enough to know about the judgment. We need to feel the force of this coming reality. We need to be stirred within by such truth. Lord willing, a post on this topic is coming!

Preparing for judgment,

Joe

Posted by Joe | Filed Under Scripture Meditation 

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