Tag Archives: judgment

October 30
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“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:6-8, NIV)

What awaits you after this life?

In his final days on this earth, Paul — writing to his protege Timothy — declares that “the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” awaits him.

The trials of this life are many, and often cause us great pain and suffering.  However, do not despair.  Fight the good fight, meaning: Draw on all of your resources — in heaven and on earth — to resist the evil one and his schemes.  Stay in the race to the finish, meaning: Don’t quit — ever.  Keep the faith, meaning: Remember that God, through Jesus, has assured victory at the end of all things — even if it doesn’t look that way now.

The rewards written of by Paul are not only his — but ours, as well, if we wait in longing for His appearing.

What awaits us after this life?  Life in the presence of the Lord.  The crown of righteousness.  Hearing the righteous Judge say to us, “Well done.”  – Luther

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March 26
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“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” (1 Peter 1:17, NIV)

In today’s scripture, Peter reminds the reader of two important things: (1) We are foreigners (some translations read “pilgrims”) on this earth. Heaven — not earth — is our home.  We are, for a time, merely visitors here; and (2) We need to live each day of our lives in “reverent fear.”

Contrary to what the world would have us believe, fear is not a bad trait. The problem is that we too often fear the things and people we should pay no mind; and we pay no mind to the things that we ought to fear.

For example, a fear of electricity is warranted. Although we use electrical power every day, we observe and teach others a reverence for it that keeps us from abusing it. Such an attitude is not a bad thing.  In fact, this “reverent fear” may have kept us from destroying ourselves by accidental electrocution!

As pilgrims on this spinning sphere, we need to keep in mind that our time is short, and our opportunities for good are constantly opposed by evil.  If only for these reasons, live in “reverent fear.”  Our heavenly Father is awesome in His power, yet He deals with us with gentleness and grace.  – Luther

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March 18
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“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7, NKJV)

We need to beware of thinking — as most of the world does — that because we have “gotten by” that we have, “gotten away.”

We sin, but because we often do not immediately suffer the consequences of our sin, we think that we have gotten away with sinning.  This is akin to thinking that just because we have, somehow, avoided being pulled-over by the sheriff for exceeding the speed limit, that it is somehow okay to exceed the speed limit or that laws against speeding are never enforced.

Don’t be fooled. Unlike the sheriff in the illustration above, we shall have to answer to God for all of our transgressions.

God’s commandments are for our protection, and for our provision.

Just because we are successful in flouting God’s law does not mean that we are wise.  We shall be called to give a full and complete accounting, whether in joy because we have obeyed and Christ stands with us; or in tears, because we have sinned and have no Defender.  – Luther

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