Do You Believe You Will Stand Before the Lord to be Judged on the Last Day?

Do you believe you will stand before the Lord to be judged on the last day? Why is this an essential question to be asked? Should we not all believe this same essential truth? Certainly, we might expect the answer to be a resounding yes. As we seek to answer this question, perhaps we might need to consider how we respond to God’s Word. 

A Message for the Athenians is a Message for All 

When Paul preached on Mars Hill, he approached a people who were greatly polytheistic with temples aligning this location, including one to an unknown god. Paul preached to them about this unknown God, whom they worshiped in ignorance. As he proceeded with the message, he came to the point where the people had to understand they had to make a decision. To worship the God of Heaven in spirit and truth (cf. John 4:24) or face the consequences of not doing so. He explained, 

The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

(Acts 17:30-31)(emphasis mine)

The message declared a need for repentance on behalf of the Athenians and “all everywhere”. For this purpose, there is a day that God has appointed, where he will judge all everywhere by the man Christ Jesus, whom He raised from the dead. This proves to us that one, all men are amenable to the law of Christ, and two, all will be judged by that law (cf. John 12:48). The Athenians, overall, did not receive the message. They reacted, some mocking the resurrection, others though wished to hear Paul again (cf. Acts 17:32). There is a difference in reaction and reception. In contrast, some believed and received the message. 

A Message to Felix

I have preached a sermon entitled Paul’s Pattern of Preaching from Acts 24:25, where it reads, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.” Judging by the reaction of Felix, we can prove that he was fearful of the implications of the message he heard. Particularly, the judgment to come. We can also prove from the text that, though he was terrified, he was not troubled enough to embrace righteousness and self-control with the hope of the judgment to come. He reacted to the message, but did not receive the message with the idea that a more convenient time would arise for him to hear Paul again. That more convenient season did not arrive as far as we know from the fact that Felix was recalled after two years and replaced by Porcius Festus (cf. Acts 24:27). 

It might be easy for us to dismiss this story in application to the Christian. After all, by the favor of God we have been made holy, redeemed, and justified. Yet, do our actions always reflect this truth? Are we reacting and receiving the message that God has assured us of? There are certainly times when people believe that God will judge all exactly like the Bible says, yet the way they live their lives would suggest otherwise. We cannot have the disconnect between what we say we believe and what we do when no one is watching. This type of hypocrisy implies that we, like the Athenians, are not fully convinced and willing to keep listening to what the Bible teaches, as if we have unlimited years. Perhaps we are like Felix, terrified but unwilling to convert. 

A Message About the Judgment to the Corinth church of Christ 

So, what then shall we do in response to this assured judgment that we will all face? Paul explained to the Corinthian Christians that we will answer for our actions on the last day, 

Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

(2 Corinthians 5:9-11)

We must focus on our aim each day. Ask the question: is what I am doing pleasing to the Lord? If the answer is yes, that is the right and honorable thing to do. When we keep this as our focus, we bring glory to God, and not reproach. Jesus reminds us, “Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” 

In contrast, we need to remember that we will answer for what we have done, good or bad. This is a sobering thought. Therefore, since we know this to be true, we fearfully respect God, and we persuade men. Men like the Athenians, like Felix, and at times fellow brethren. Let's go to Heaven!

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