Judged - Martin Wiles

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT

Standing before a judge is frightening.

I’ve never stood before a judge—at least not as a criminal. I have served on jury duty—soon after graduating from high school. The one case I was picked for involved a serious crime. But we didn’t have a chance to finish deliberating. The accused confessed to a lesser charge.

Judges are daunting. They’ve been to school and received legal training. They have the power to say “guilty” or “not guilty” and then send you to jail or fine you a large sum of money.

Paul speaks of not just a judge but of the judge. He is qualified to judge because He is the creator of all humanity. He made the rules we’re supposed to abide by, and He has the power to pass sentence when we don’t. Our eternity is in His hand, but He determines it based on decisions we make—really just one decision.

The judgment bar is a future reality for everyone who has ever or ever will live. We must all stand before Christ to be judged. Escaping this judgment bar is not possible. On earth, if I obey the laws, I don’t have to worry about standing before a judge. But the final judgment I’ll attend whether I want to or not.

As people standing before a judge and jury are tried based on whether or not they committed certain actions, I’ll be judged in the final judgment based on one decision: what I did with Jesus Christ. Did I acknowledge Him as my Savior and repent of my sins, or did I merely think He was a good man who lived long ago and ignore Him? My entrance into heaven hinges on this decision.

Once the judge of all humanity has let me face the consequences of my earthly decision concerning His Son, there is no reversal. Once in hell, I can’t come back and do it all over again. The decision is tied to my earthly experience.

No one will escape the final judgment, but the good news is that the judge is a loving Savior. Not one who will overlook sin. Not one who will say, “Well, I know you did some bad things, but we’ll just overlook them.” But one who truly wants me in heaven with Him.

Make sure you’ve decided for Christ before you stand before His judgment bar.

Prayer: Father, thank You for making the way possible for us to spend eternity in heaven with You.

Tweetable: Are you ready to stand before the judge? 

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