The Judgment
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A.W. Tozer wrote, “Before the Judgment Seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done, but by how much I could have done.” Matthew 25:31-46 describes the judgment when Jesus returns
in glory. Let’s apply three questions to this passage. First, who will be the judge and who will be judged?—“When the Son of Man comes in His glory.” (v. 31) It will be Jesus Christ Himself. He will become the One who distinguishes between those that are His, and those that are not: between saints and sinners; between holy and unholy. Believers can think of this and be comforted: the One on the throne will be their Savior. The unbelievers need to be afraid: their judge will be Jesus Christ whose Gospel they rejected. Second, how will they be judged?—“Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (v. 40) Jesus commended “those on His right” for the way they ministered to other believers. “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) Third, what will be the results of the judgment?—“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (v. 46) Punishment for sin will be everlasting; and their state cannot be ever changed. Everlasting punishment—Eternal life … it is the same Greek word translated as “everlasting” and “eternal.” It’s punishment of the wicked (unbelievers); reward of the righteous (believers). There is no second chance after death; neither is there annihilation. Hell is well-described in Scripture. God is righteous; His justice is perfect. The very conscience of the condemned will affirm that they deserve His punishment. Before each one of us is the choice of life and death, good and evil, blessing and curse; we have to choose our path, and it will that path which determines our eternal state!
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
