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Judged by Christ

I recently read a devotional on judgement. It made me feel quite a bit uncomfortable. The devotional quoted 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.". This made me uncomfortable because I don't like the idea of answering to anyone about the things I've done. 

I don't think I am alone in this, but I'm not perfect. I'm FAR from perfect. I've made plenty of poor decisions. I've ignored part of the scripture, heck I've run from the Bible. 

I know the "mistakes" I've made and the "mistakes" I've chosen. I don't want to be judged, especially by an all knowing God!  

As much as I would like to run from it, I know the truth. I am a sinner. I deserve the consequences of my actions. I deserve to pay the price. I deserve to be on that cross. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17‭-‬19 NIV

God’s love rests comfortably in what us humans perceive as tension with truth. In His new creation we have hope. In Jesus, we are reconciled. In this reconciliation our sins are no longer counted against us. Apart from Him, we face judgement and full consequences of our wickedness. 

The authors of the devotional I referred to earlier said, "All unbelievers will be judged by Christ. All believers will be judged through Christ." This doesn’t mean that we are free from the consequences of our sin in this world. If you commit murder, you go to prison and possibly face the death penalty. Because of Jesus, there is reconciliation. Jesus paid the price on the cross and forgiveness is a reality for those who confess and turn from sin.  

So, as you consider the uncomfortable concept of judgement, think of Jesus. He paid your price. He paid my price. We choose to be more like Him so that people who don’t believe may be inspired to believe. So God’s people may be reconciled, just like you and I have been. We are saved from judgement by Christ. Instead of being judged through Christ.

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt

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