‘According To Their Works’

‘According To Their Works’

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

Revelation 20:12-13

Actions have consequences. In the physical realm we see and accept this. Hit a nail with a hammer, and the nail will pierce the wood. Hit it a few more times and it will bury into the wood so deeply that it will become difficult to remove. In the moral realm, actions have consequences as well. What is the consequence of morally evil behavior without repentance? It is a verdict of condemnation. The Last Judgment must occur, because of the Character of God. Whereas Christ is Loving, He is also Just. If He calls upon us to ‘do justly,’ He must ‘do justly’ Himself. It would not be just for Him to ignore the unrepentant moral evil which people perpetrate against others. So it is that we find our text declaring, in two locations, ‘and they were judged according to their works.’ This is, perhaps, a surprise to those who believe that Christ grants a general amnesty, whether evil doers repent or not. His Character is such that He must render justice. For those who repent and seek forgiveness He offers abundant Mercy. For the unrepentant, He executes the Justice which they deserve. His Character demands it, and so it must be. Where does this bring us? First, we must recognize the Character of Christ. Next, we must realize that this is a Judgment at which we will all appear. Third, we are better to appear in a right relationship to Christ than as a rebel. Let these things dominate our thinking today.  How will it be with you?

Our Most Holy, and Righteous God,
we rejoice that You are the ‘Judge of all the earth,’
And that You will ‘do right.’
We know that Your Character demands that all must give account.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning