If those who are saved cannot be judged for their sins at the end of time, why do we have to appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: There are a lot of judgments in the Bible and it is very confusing. If those who are saved cannot be judged for their sins at the end of time, why do we have to appear before the judgment seat of Christ? – C.J.
A: Christians are admonished throughout Scripture to be faithful in their walk [conduct] with Christ. Someday all Christians will stand before Jesus Christ to give an account of the works we have done since our conversion. This does not change the fact that we are saved. But we will be judged, not on the basis of how successful we were in the eyes of the world, but on how faithful we were in the place God put us. Sometimes the greatest test of our faithfulness is how much time we spend reading the Scriptures, praying, and living in accord with the principles of righteousness regardless of our circumstances.
The burdens and cares of this world often interfere with our faithful walk before the Lord. In the midst of material prosperity, for instance, we should be aware lest we fall in the same pitfall as the Laodiceans, who incurred God’s wrath and displeasure because they felt they had need of nothing since they were self-sufficient; they thought they had no need of God.
If we could carve an epitaph on the tombstone of the Apostle Paul, it might read, “Faithful unto death.” As he awaited execution, Paul could say without hesitation, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day” (2 Timothy 4:7–8, KJV). Whatever the failures of Paul and however short he fell of perfection, he knew that he had been faithful to the Lord to the end. What a wonderful blessing God gives to us – to have this remarkable passage to spur us on in the faith.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2024 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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