1 Peter 4:5 NKJV — They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Hebrews 13:17 NKJV — Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Matthew 12:36-37 NKJV — “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
All are Going to Give an Account
I was educated as an accountant and became a CPA. One of the functions of a C.P.A is to audit a business’ accounts to make sure that they properly reflect the operations and the condition of the company. Audit reports are usually given to the owners and in most cases that is the stockholders. But publicly held corporations also have to “give account” to regulatory bodies. Sometimes that is painless but sometimes it isn’t. When the Bible says that we are all going to “give account”, I believe the Lord is telling us that He is keeping records and that there will be an audit of those records. We should want to keep that review or audit as painless as possible.
The Living and the Dead
There will be those living when the Lord judges and there will be those who have died. Death is not going to eliminate the audit. Probably this judgment refers to unbelievers. I am glad that my punishment has been borne by Christ. If the Lord would allow His Son to suffer so that we wouldn’t have to suffer, what will happen to those who reject the love of God and who live in total rebellion against God? According to Revelation 20, unbelievers at the Great White Throne are judged “according to their works.” Romans 3 says that our works don’t cut it. We are all guilty of sin. Some more than others but we are all guilty. All those judged in Revelation 20 at the great white throne are going to be banished to the Lake of Fire. I am glad that I will not be at this judgment because I have faith that I will be judged based on the work of Christ that satisfied God on my behalf.
But
Christians are judged. They are not judged to determine their eternal destiny, but they are judged as to their faithfulness to the Lord. Elders are going to be examined as to their faithfulness as undershepherds. Were they self-willed? Were they more concerned with making new members than they were with making true disciples and teaching them ALL things? Did they visit and care for the sheep in their flock?
All of us who claim to be saved will give an account. Apparently, service in heaven for eternity will be based on faithful service to the Lord on this earth. The Bible seems to distinguish between the judgment seat of Christ which is the place of rewards for Christians who have finished their race and the Great While Throne judgment which is for unbelievers who have rejected the work of Christ.
Many feel that there will be no remorse for Christians when they are judged because our punishment has already been born. However Pauls says with regard to the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:11, ” Knowing, therefore, the terror (probably the fear) of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.” There seems to be an awesome respect for the judgment of a Christian on the part of Paul. Giving account to the Lord may be pleasant and rewarding but it may also be a time of great loss.
Every Word
In the context of Matthew 12, the Lord says that we can distinguish evil people from good people by the words that they say.
We really know that but unfortunately some of us have trouble keeping our words sweet and truthful. The Lord was direct when it came to sin but kind when it came to forgiveness. I have been concerned about how Christians seem to be experts on everything that happens in the world today when in fact most of us don’t have a clue. I think it would be wise to keep our words focused on what we know to be true. But when we start trying to reform the world through argumentation, we are using the wrong armor, the wrong sword, and the wrong helmet. I know that Christ died for my sins and I would like to be judged by the faithful presentation of that truth to a sin cursed world. The world draws us in and tries to conform us to its standards. The world tries to get us involved in things that are really none of our business as Christians. Let us use our words carefully and let us be transformed by the renovation of our minds. (Romans 12:2).
Every Idle word! That is convicting!
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of May 24, 2020
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