Good morning,
Last week when I wrote, I was thinking about the reality that we must all face, that Jesus will use the words that we have spoken as part of our eternal judgment. During the week someone mentioned the pain that came when they applied that truth to those they loved who were using painful words. I have been thinking about that this week, and I think that the Lord has shown me a bigger piece of that truth. The truth started to unfold as I was thinking about Psalm 37: 23,24 where the Lord tells us of his love for us and his ability to hold us up when we stumble. The Lord reminded me of Job, the most righteous man on earth, and his three friends, who really were his friends. They all got in trouble with God for the things they said to each other and the things they said about God. After God confronted Job about what he said and Job repented, and then God confronted Job’s friends about what they said, and they repented, they all ended up right with God and with one another. (Job 42) Does this mean that what Jesus said in Matthew 37 isn’t really true for everyone?
I believe that where our words show up is the difference between freedom and eternal judgment. The Bible tells us that there are two different judgments as part of God’s plan. The one judgment is held at the end of time for all those who have refused the love of God and despised the forgiveness offered by the blood of Jesus, now sprinkled on the mercy seat in heaven. This judgment, at the great white throne, will be based on what these rebels against God have said and done. (Rev. 20:11-15) For them, the details of their lives will lead to the lake of fire and eternal pain. The story is very different for those of us who are in God’s family. Each of us will come before Jesus at the bema seat (II Cor. 5:10) to be rewarded for all that we have done. I believe that the fire talked about here is the truth that God saw going on in our lives. The rewards we get will be our to enjoy for all of eternity. If, on the other hand, what we did and said does not meet God’s standards, Jesus will burn them away. (I Cor. 3:13-15) The rewards we thought we would get for these words and actions will be lost, but God’s good plan is still at work. Our sinful deeds will be gone forever. We will never again have to hear those words or review those deeds to our shame. For eternity we will know the delight of walking hand in hand with God.
Psalm 37: 23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
Roy Wisner
