Your Convictions About The Judgment Of The Believer

Judgment—it’s a heavy word that inspires anxiety, dread, and possibly despair. But for the believer, it doesn’t have to be that way. In this message, Dr. Stanley explains that judgment for Christians isn’t something we have to be afraid of. Yes, we will be held accountable for our lives, but God’s desire is to reward His children, not punish them. Learn how to live in such a way that one day you’ll hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” For more messages from Charles Stanley, including this week’s broadcast, go to www.intouch.org/watch

As we look to the future, we are excited and prepared to continue sharing Dr. Stanley’s messages with those who haven’t heard them before or who would love to gain a deeper understanding of God’s word by listening to his messages again.

Well to whom in this life do you feel accountable?
Naturally, husbands and wives are accountable to each other, Children, to their parents and maybe grandparents or whatever it might be.
But the truth is every single one of us is accountable to God.
Many people act like they don’t have to be accountable to anybody.
A person with a feeling that they don’t need to be accountable to someone is walking on very thin ice in a dangerous direction.
Accountability is a safety feature for all of us.
And it’s important that we distinguish uh this whole idea of accountability with the Lord God and with his word and that’s what the judgment is all about.
So what I want to talk about in this message is our convictions about our judgment before God.
And if you look in the second Corinthians chapter five for a moment, look if you will and Paul is speaking to believers, writing to believe us.
And he says in verse six, therefore, being always of good courage and knowing that while we’re at home and the body, we’re absent from the Lord.
For we walk by faith and not by sight, we are of good courage, I say and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
So we’re talking about believers. Listen.
Therefore, we also have is our ambition, whether at home or absent to be pleasing to him.
For we must not maybe not all to, we must all not some of us all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
So that each one may be recompensed or rewarded for his or her deeds in the body according to what he’s done for the good of the judgment of the believer is unavoidable.
There is going to be a moment of judgment for every single one of us and whether a person believes it or not, it’s not the issue.
The issue is there’s going to be a moment of judgment. Now he’s talking to believers there.
But if you turn to revelation chapter 20 and look in verse 11, there is another time of accountability.
Verse 11, then I saw a great white throne and him who set upon it from whose presence earth and heaven fled away and no place was found for them can’t escape it.
And I saw the dead, the great, the small standing before the throne and books were open and another book was open, which is the Book of Life and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books according to their deeds and the sea gave up the dead which were in it, death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them and they were all judged every one of them according to their deeds.
Now, there will be two judgments.
There’s a judgment of the believer and that judgment, which is the judgment of the unbeliever where the name is not found in the Book of Life.
If you are a believer, your name is there. If you’re an unbeliever, it is absent.
But the issue I want us to think about is our accountability.
That is we stand before God accountable to Him for our life.
So first of all, only those who have trusted Christ as their savior will be present at this judgment.
This is a judgment for all believers. How God’s going to work that out?
I don’t have to figure that out.
I just have to know that I am accountable to Almighty God from the day I was saved as a 12 year old boy.
I’ve been accountable to him for my saved life ever since every word, every deed, whatever, whenever you were saved from that moment on you are and have been and will be accountable to Almighty God.
Our meeting before Christ is a predestined event set by God himself.
There will be no excuses and no absence.
In other words, the judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ for his believers, listen, it is a time when he desires and his plan to reward us for the life that we’ve lived.
The issue is this, the life that we live will determine what those rewards may be and how all that works out.
We can talk about that later.
But the issue is, do you sense an accountability to God each day that you’re responsible to Him for the time that He’s given you to live for the gifts, abilities, talents, skills, relationships, your vocation, the finances.
Do you, do you recognize that you’ll have to give an account to God for how you live out your life?
And then of course, who’s gonna be the judge? Jesus will be the judge. He’s the righteous judge.
There’ll be no mistakes and it’s not an issue of God having to figure out what to do because He sees our life as we live it.
And I think if you and I could back out of our life and take a good look at it at it as it is being lived out, we might want to change some things.
And probably everybody would say, well, if I had my life to live over, I would change the following things.
If you love the Lord Jesus Christ, you’d probably change a lot of things, but he is the judge and this is a judgment of rewards.
This is not a judgment where he determines whether we go to heaven or not because the place of this judgment is in heaven, we stand before him and give an account for our life.
All the details of that. I have no earthly idea.
I just know that’s what he says and that’s what he will do.
And if you’ve trusted Christ as your savior and you disobey him and you sin against him, is it not true that something happens to you on the inside?
That’s the conviction of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sins of our failures in order to do what to keep us on the right path.
And to remind us that we’ll have to give an account to God for the life that we live.
And the Holy Spirit is there to enable us to equip us and to show us those areas in which we need to work at to make them right?
For example, in First Corinthians. And um the third chapter is interesting.
The scripture says, if any man’s work which he has built on the foundation remains, he will receive a reward.
If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved yet.
So as through fire. And so he reminds us there that some of what we present before God, he says it’s like wood, hay and stubble burned up.
So every day that you and I live something is going on in our relationship to God.
So you’ve been blessed and now you’re accountable.
And if you think about this, there is no place in our time in your life when you are no longer accountable.
We, we’re always accountable and we will be accountable to the day we die.
And how is he going to judge us?
He’s going to judge us according to our works, what have we done with their life?
So I’d ask you the question, what are you doing with your life? Now?
Are you just working and going home and, and then spending the rest of your time and pleasure?
You come to church once in a while every Sunday or do you even go to church at all?
And so we may live our lives sort of casually. It’s not casual to God. Listen to this.
He has invested the death of his son in order to save you and he has you with the Holy Spirit in order to enable you to do well, everything he requires of you, whether it’s your job, your testimony or your relationship to him as far as serving him is concerned.
So he’s gonna judge our works according to go to bad.
And the passage before we read a few moments ago, uh those things that do not measure up to the Lord as they ought to be, they’ll be consumed.
Will you be lost? No, but we will be rewarded for our works.
And when our works wrong, motive, laziness or whatever it might be, we’ll be responsible to give an account to God for that.
And so the three things you need to remember because these are the three things that God is going to take into consideration how you lived your life.
Number one, the truth of the word of God that you know, how much light, spiritual light have you had when I was saved?
At 12, I’ve been responsible ever since I was responsible at the age of 12 wolf, whatever light I had as the years gone by and studying the word of God for 60 years, I have a lot of light.
I’ll be very, very, very responsible.
And so you’ll be responsible for the light of truth that you know, and this is why we attempt to help everybody understand who Jesus is and the necessity of being saved.
Somebody says, well, is God fair watch this. There’s nothing in the Bible about God being fair. God is righteous.
He is just He is holy.
He is perfect, truthful, generous, loving and you name it fair is not the issue.
God always does the right thing.
And so He will judge us according to how much truth we have the light of the truth.
We have. The second thing He will judge us by is the opportunities that He’s given us.
Everybody doesn’t have the same opportunity.
And so when we stand before God and God looks at your life, your skills, your abilities, your talents, the mind.
He gave you the heart he gave you and you and I will be judged according to not only the light we’ve received, but what opportunities we’ve had.
And so he requires of us to live out our lives in a wise way, a godly way that brings him honor and glory.
And that he has invested what he’s invested in your life for a reason, for a purpose.
And think about this. He not only has gifted you with what he’s gifted you with, he sent the Holy Spirit within you to seal you forever as a child of God.
So you cannot be lost. You won’t be lost.
You may lose reward but you, you, you won’t be lost as a person. You’re going to heaven.
If you’re in this judgment, you’re on your way to heaven.
And so when we think about it’s the light of truth, the opportunity and how we’ve responded to that.
And so our works are going to be proven.
So think about this, how much of what we do really ends up being worthless, a waste?
I have to give an account to God for that.
How much of our time do we spend in doing things that are sinful?
We know they’re not right things.
We say the way we treat other people, the things that we do in life sinful, that it costs us wrong motives.
When our motives are wrong, that’s a sin against God.
And we will be held accountable for wrong motives. Somebody says, well, what’s left, what’s left wasted opportunities?
For example, when God gives you think about this Holy God who created you and equipped you and gave you skills and opportunities and yours may be less than somebody else’s um or more than somebody else’s.
But we’re accountable to God for how we live out.
The opportunities, live out the relationships we have live out the abilities and skills and talents of which we’ve been given.
We, we’re gonna give an account for this is what he says.
The billions and billions and billions and billions of people in the world have been in the world.
God never expects you to be like any one of them. You’re who he made you to be.
He’s gifted, you talented, you given you skills, opportunities and privileges.
And now there’ll come a time when we have to give an account.
You remember when you would give your Children money young in life and uh when they came home, uh maybe you gave them a few dollars and you said, well, how did you spend it?
You were saying to them, I want an account.
We have to give an account to God for all these things that we’ve mentioned.
Then when we’ve given an account, we’re either gonna be rewarded or lose reward.
So ask yourself the question, living out a daily life like you live.
Are you living a life that is obedient? Are you living a life that is pleasing to God?
Are you in? Are you living out your time the way God wants you to invest in your abilities and talents and skills, whatever they may be, you say.
Well, you know what? I work on the same job. Been doing it for years, the same thing.
And how is God gonna bless me for that? Well, let me ask you this.
Were you on time to work? Did you do a good job? Did you do your best?
Were you honest when you checked out? Was it the proper time or not? Did you cheat?
Did you steal? Did you lie? In other words, how did you live out your life?
The way we’re living it out is the way we’re either gonna be rewarded or lose.
And so God, somebody says, well, now, wait a minute, is God gonna be fair?
And I wanna say it again, forget fairness.
It’s not a matter of fairness, righteous, holy God only does the righteous holy thing.
Do you think God wants to judge us in a way that condemns us? No, he does not.
That’s why he sent Jesus. What, what else could God do to prove his love for us?
That he’s for us, that he has the best for us?
But to send his only begotten son, not into a lovely palace, but to a cross to die.
A horrible, horrible death. Raise him from the dead to give us that everlasting assurance that he’s still there and he’s still with us.
What else could he do? Now God is going to require us to give an account for our life because look what He’s invested in you.
You may look at somebody else and say, well, but if I had what?
No, if God wanted you to have something, he’ll provide it that many people don’t have what God wants them to have because they’re living in sin.
You violate the will of God, the purpose of God, the plan of God and hurt other people lie whatever it might be.
Then there’s a consequence. Life is full of consequences.
But it can be a life of rewards, a life of regret and loss.
It depends on how you live it.
And every single day we’re living out our life either to his honor and praise and glory and for our good or we are not.
So I would ask you, are you living the kind of life that you will be pleased to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and give an account for your life doesn’t mean you’re gonna be perfect.
And the wonderful thing is he knows we are not perfect.
You say, well, is there any allowance for sin?
His son died to save you from the penalty of sin.
Our heavenly father has the best for us and we either choose that best or we choose to do otherwise.
When I think of the way some people live their lives, I think what a waste.
And in one of these days you’ll stand before God and give an account.
And yet many people think, you know, I’m not doing bad and listen, I can always come up with somebody who’s worse than I am.
And so can you, you can always come up with somebody and people say, well, you know, I know so and so and I’m as good as she is.
Well, that’s your opinion and you may be but God isn’t com listen in the judgment.
He doesn’t compare you with somebody else in the judgment. It’s what he requires of us.
And the judgment is a serious thought to stand before our Lord and give an account for our life.
And you can’t say, well, Lord, you didn’t do this for me and you didn’t do that for me.
No, he’s done more for us than any of us would ever ever deserve.
There is a judgment and there is a time we give an account for our life.
Now, how do we prepare for this? Somebody says, OK, I, I, I’m, I’m with you.
I, I agree. I know the Bible says, I’ll have to give an account for my life.
So the question is how, how should we think as, as, as believers, as followers of Jesus?
You get up in the morning.
Do you ever think about doing your best for God today?
Do you ever think about, well, here’s what I have today and maybe some days you have situations that are just tough.
You just rather not go to work or you’d rather not face what you have to face.
But you know, you have to do.
You thank God and ask for His help and guidance and direction and move on and do what God called you to do or do you call up and lie about your situation.
So let’s think about this. How do we prepare for this inevitable unavoidable judgment of God?
Well, first of all, we prepare for it by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal savior.
Step number one, because if you don’t do that, you’ll be in the second judgment, which is eternal lost.
So the first step is to be saved.
And so let’s say that you fall in that category of a person who is saved.
Secondly, and this is something we should consider seriously.
And that is every day we should review our lifestyle. That is think about how you’re living.
And that is what are you living for? How do you spend your time?
How do you employ your spiritual gifts? How do you give up your resources?
And in what way do you serve the Lord? And in what way do you honor him?
So when it comes to looking at your lifestyle, for example, when you get up tomorrow morning, what are you gonna think about?
It’s Monday. All would you think about? Thank you father.
Thank you for giving me a job.
Thank you for helping me to make enough money to buy things that I need.
Thank you father for the little I get extra. There was, do you think?
How, how do you when you get up? What do you think about during the day?
Do you ever stop to? Thank God, thank you Lord for getting me here on time this morning.
Thank you that you kept me safe today.
Or do you just sort of skip through life and live their life and only come to him when there’s a need of fear or a pain?
Is that when you come to him?
Or do you realize how good He is to you?
24 hours a day and think about this, your next heartbeat will not be determined by you just like that just like that over.
So will you be ready?
And how often I hear people say, well, one of these days I’m mm mm mm mm.
You don’t have any guarantee of one of these days.
The only guarantee you have is right now that if you’ve never trusted Jesus as your savior, you can ask him to forgive you of your sins and he will do it, not because you will ever deserve it, but because He loves you.
So how are you gonna live out your life? How are you living it out?
Would you say your life is pleasing to God doesn’t mean you’re perfect.
That’s why He’s has enough scriptures here. If we confess our sins.
He’s faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
But many people know that so well.
They could, they, at night time before they go to sleep, they could say God, remember what I said last night just did, which means that it’s absolutely meaningless.
If there’s no heart in my confession, it’s meaningless. And so it’s wise to review how we’re living.
So ask you this uh if you think about your relationship to your husband and your wife, is it right?
Is it right? Is it good? Is it holy? Is it righteous? Is it pure?
Could you do better? Is God pleased with your relationship to your Children?
How much time do you ever take to talk to them about the Lord?
We’re living in a society where parents are oblivious to their responsibility, to teach their Children about the Lord.
First of all, by example, then by word, all of us have to review our lives and look at what’s going on and think Lord there’s anything about me you wanna change?
Listen, some people are scared to death to ask of God that Lord, is there something about me?
You wanna change? If there is, we should welcome Him to tell us what it is.
A third thing that’s important is to reevaluate your priorities.
That is if we’re going to live a Godly life and be ready for standing before him to reevaluate our priorities So think about this in your decision making process.
What’s the first thing you think about?
Here’s the first thing you should think about what is pleasing to the heavenly Father.
What is, what is the wise thing to do from God’s perspective? Every day? We make decisions.
Those decisions sometimes have eternal consequences, sometimes lasting consequences. Sometimes they can have painful consequences.
But as you make decisions in your life and reevaluate your priorities, Where is the Lord and your priorities?
Because think about this, this is a get up and rush, rush, rush day, every day.
If we allow it that way, we’re gonna give an account for it.
And when you think about how good God is that, your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that one of these days when you die, if you’re, if you’re saved, your name is there that you’re going to heaven and you don’t watch this.
You don’t have to do anything else to get to heaven. Your name is in the book of Life.
No one. But are you ready? Would you, would you say that each day?
You do your best? You don’t squander your time or your resources or anything like that.
And then the fourth thing I would say, renewing your daily commitment to live a Godly life and serve him with your whole heart.
Now, think about this, you’re gonna give an account one of these days.
And so think about it for a moment. How do you start your day?
Does the alarm ring or the radio?
Come on and you hop up and start the day or do you say?
Oh, my goodness. I think I’ll just lie here a while and just, what are you gonna do today?
I’m not gonna do anything. There’s nothing, you know what?
There’s no such thing because you and I are responsible to God to make every day count.
Do you think Jesus wasted any of his time? Never? You say?
Well, what about when he went to uh Mary Mart and house?
What, what, what he was just sitting around talking to them when they waste of time.
Absolutely not watch this. You don’t have any time to waste.
You don’t, you say, well, how do you know?
I don’t because you’re responsible to God for all of it.
And besides that, you don’t know how much you have left. We’re responsible to him.
And when I think about, I, I think about how simple this is but somebody asked me, well, well, how, how do you start your day?
I can tell you and I don’t have to look in here to tell you, but I, I wanna pass this on to you and that is uh and this is what I do.
Uh not only to start my day but during the day, I’ll stop and say the same thing.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Lean not to your own understanding in all your ways today, acknowledge him and he will direct your path.
Don’t, don’t be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It’ll be health to your body and refreshment of your bones.
But think about this, you wake up tomorrow morning, trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Don’t lean to your own understanding in all your ways. Acknowledge him.
You know what that means in all my ways, Lord, what would you want me to do here in all your ways?
Acknowledge Him. Watch this most people and most of their ways do not acknowledge God as if He didn’t exist in all your ways.
Acknowledge Him. And here’s the promise. He will direct your path. Now, that sounds pretty simple.
But the truth is I’m going to give an account to God.
Now watch this. You may live 50 60 70 to 8100 and 10 years old.
But on the other side of this judgment forever eternally, you and I will enjoy the blessings of Almighty God on the basis of how we lived in our life while we are here.
Hey man, father, we thank you for your love, for us.
Thank you for making some of the most important things so simple.
And I pray that you will sink this message in the heart of every person here.
Maybe somebody who’s never even thought about reading the scripture in the morning before they leave for work.
I pray the spirit of God edge this message upon their hearts.
Recognize that there is coming an inevitable inescapable day of giving an account for our life.
And I pray for somebody here today who is unsaved that they’ll recognize every day they live.
They’re wasting a life without Christ is wasted and the time to make a change is right now.
And I pray that they’d be willing to ask you to forgive them of their sins and surrender their life to you today and believe in their heart that you not only will forgive them, but you will equip them and enable them to live out what we’re talking about in this message.
And look forward to that day when you give out the crowns, when you reward us for a life, well lived, not a life that’s perfect but a life that’s well lived in Jesus name.
Amen.