Who Shall Be Judged?

Johan
07.07.15 01:45 PM Comment(s)

I was asked a question recently that I always thought I had the answer to... Until I actually thought about it and realized I wasn't sure.The question basically was: 


If the Bible teaches we are forgiven (which it does if you accept the sacrifice of Jesus), why does it still say that everyone will be judged?

Now before I continue, I feel it is needed to express very clearly that there is a Heaven and a Hell and the Bible clearly teaches this. The reason I mention this, is because lately I have heard too many stories in news media about church leaders who believe in Heaven, but not in Hell. I believe this is an extremely dangerous teaching because it takes away the need for the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. They might mean well, but they are wrong according to what the Bible teaches. No one likes the idea of hell or judgement, but I feel we need to be honest with the truth and what the Bible teaches.

The Bible teaches that we all can be saved, but it also teaches that we will all have to give an account for our actions here on earth. So the questions remains, how do these two ideas fit together. The way
 I believe these two tie together is like this: 

If you are not saved then you will go to hell and also be judged accordingly.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 
- John 3: 17-18 KJV

If you are saved then you also deserve to go to hell, but because you have excepted the sacrifice of Jesus, you won't go to hell. You will be going to heaven and also be judged, but on a different level. I believe the Bible teaches it will be in the form of receiving reward for when you followed the Spirit and losing a potential reward for the times we didn't. 

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 
- Romans 14: 12 KJV
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. 
- Matthew 16: 27-28 KJV

It is important to mention that we should know that God will judge everyone fairly according to what was given to us and what we have used accordingly. This message is very clearly explained in Jesus' parable about the talents given in Matthew 25: 14-30. We need to use what is given to us and not waste it, not only for our sake, but for the people we were sent to help.

On a final note I believe everything is not given to us as clearly as we would like it because we need to seek the face of God. Even though He is our Father and saviour, we need to fear God and respect the fact that we can't even comprehend how Great our God is. One day we will be kneeling before Him to give account for what we have done. So let's all do our best to walk in the Spirit go where He leads us.

If you would like to know more about being saved from Hell, and how to live according to your real purpose, please follow this link to read more about Finding The Only Hope.
25/4/2015