John 12:37-50
Judgment Day. Sounds a little scary don't you think? Jesus tells the people in John 12:46-47 that he has come as a light to shine in this dark world, that he came to save the world not to judge it. But then he goes on in verse 48 telling us that those who reject him and his message (in the here and now) will be judged (after they die) on the day of judgment by the truth he has spoken.
So what do you know about judgment day? Did you know that there are actually two different judgment days in the future (see John 3:18-21)? One is for non-believers (that's the one Jesus is referring to here in John 12:48) and it's referred to as the Great White Throne Judgment (see Revelation 20:11-15). The other is for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and it's referred to as the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The Judgment Seat of Christ is something you and I as Christians can and should look forward to. We won't be judged as sinners, but instead only as servants of the living God. All of us as Christians will individually stand before Christ as our judge. It's here where we will get our rewards. So you can see, this is literally the most important day in our future.
So with this being the case, do you think this should impact how we live out each day? Are there any changes you need to make? And, if you're up for sharing, what are some of those things? Tami W.
P.S. If you want more information on this incredibly important topic, check out Dr. Kroll's latest book called Facing Your Final Job Review and the corresponding CD or DVD series by the same title.
Having come to know Christ as Lord and Savior late in life (age forty and from a very disfunctional background), I hadn't thought much about the Judgment seat because I had so much to catch up on in learning and living out my faith. The Lord began by drawing me through the writings of others such as Chuck Colson, Henry Nouwen, Catherine Marshall etc, but in the past seven years (I'm63) has drawn me to His Word. That sent me from one church to another seeking to be taught from the Word and as well as teaching me how to study for myself. I was at the point of despair when Precept (inductive method) came to my area. I couldn't get enough of Scripture nor of the women whose lives were being transformed. I am now a Precept leader and have sadly discovered that many who came to saving faith much earlier in life do not know their Bibles, so my passion is discipleship which means I'm learning right along with my group. Personally, I do not want to shrink away from Him in shame at His coming though will I shed tears of regret?-for having lived so long for self.
Kathleen I totally understand where you are coming from. I too only gave my life to Christ at the age of 42 (now 43 1/2) and I had so many questions and still do about God. It's like playing catch up like you said...trying to cram as much as we can into the time that we have left. God has given me strong support in a pastor (who actually started out as a business acquaintance) and he started me off in the right direction and that was the bible. I know that I will never get to make up for the years that I spent living for me, but I will try and use the rest of my time to serve only God. It's a process but studying, reading, fellowshiping, praying and spending quality time with God will get you to where you want to be on that judgement day. Living each day for Christ and allowing him to use us in the way he had planned will make that day glorious for you and I, even if we were slow to get there. If you think about it, God already knew when we would come to him and he still has prepared our way. Praise be to him.
I have been a Christian for twenty years since I was 25 and had been doing well in my walk and experiencing spiritual growth up until the last 5 years. Since that time, I have been steadily increasing the amount of Bible study and devotionals in order to get back on track. Still, I am missing something, and believe that it is a lack of fellowship with other believers. My family and I have been in a period of transition as we have recently relocated closer to the ocean as a result of my boy Timothy's sleep apnea difficulties. This lack of sleep has been a source of spiritual, emotional, and physical problems for the whole family. We moved away from my church home where I became a believer and we are just now settling into a new church environment.
Praise report - we recently removed my boy's tonsils and it appears that it was primary source of the problem and not allergies as his sleep has been much better.
Thank God,
Robert D.
Thanks Darlene for reminding me of God's timing. I need to forget those things that are behind and press on- daily turning my life over to the Lord as I sing His praises for what He has already done in my life. Kathleen