Over the years, I have felt there were certain parts of the bible that I could not connect with, there was a disconnect from reality. Sure, I believe that what God has allowed to be written and put in the good book is Truth, some of it to be interpreted literally, some metaphorically, etc. But, some of it has just not hit home for me.
One thing I have never obtained a grasp on is the book of Revelation. Anyone out there have the answers? Don't hold back, I'm all ears.
So, the end times judgment comes into a whole new light for me having been in study of bible prophecy recently. Aha moment after aha moment you could say. But this really puts it into perspective for me, being a competitive goal oriented guy.
The bible is clear that we will be judged (2 cor 5:10, 1 Cor 4:5). However we will be judged differently whether we were believers or non-believers. For those of you that care about the details.....the believers who are raptured during the end of the world, whatever theory you believe (pre-trib, post-trib etc.) will be judged immediately in Heaven at the 'Judgement Seat of Christ' for their life, while the non-believers will be judged at the end of the 7 year Tribulation period at the Great White Throne.
What struck me there was that there is actually a place we will physically stand and be judged and that nothing will be hidden before Christ, not even our thoughts or motives. Also, we are not judged with the non-believers, because their judgment is condemnation because of their rejection of Jesus. (see Rom 8:1-2, Rev 20:11-15)
And the believers will be judged very specifically, not some humdrum loose way, but for specifics. God will judge our life based on our: conduct, service, words, thoughts and motives
Ok, so I am thinking, crap, I say stupid things all the time, I have selfish motives, and sometimes all I want to do it play video games or sit by myself. Point of comfort, we all want those things at times....that's why we are human.
I am picturing myself standing there with God, not being able to explain away anything negative about my life because unfortunately in all of God's glory, He knows and sees everything. Enter reality. This event is actually going to take place!
And you know what? We get rewarded for the things that we have done positively for our: conduct, service, words, and good motives and thoughts. You know what we get?
The Crown of Life for those who perservere faithfully in life's trials.
The Incorruptible Crown for those who consistently practice self-control and self-discipline
The Crown of Righteousness for those who live righteously in light of the Lord's second coming.
The Crown of Rejoicing for those who witness and/or win people to Christ.
The Crown of Glory for those who shepherd God's people, who oversee and help people grow closer to God.
I realized at this moment that it is absolutely undeniably important that we should all know God's calling for our life. You want to know a secret? I can tell you what God's calling is for your life right now.
Relationships - - - with Him, and with others.....and not just casual relationships with either, but those which glorify God. If we are not centrally minded on this fact, we are guilty of false motives.....dangit, and we will be judged for that. All our relationships are to be either sharpening each other as believers or being willing and active in giving a defense to others who are not believers about the Good News of Jesus, His life, His death, and His defeat of spiritual death and the separation we have experienced from God because of our sin.
You know that when I found out that I was going to be in the running for some Crowns, that I got excited....."oh boy, I could win something." You know what we will do with those crowns? Run through the streets of gold and show them to all our friends, boasting of our righteous life on earth? Hardly. We simply lay them back down in front of God and praise Him, for He is the one that deserves glory (Rev 4:10-11). That is the most beautiful picture to me.....that we will be so thankful to God for what He has done for us, that we will freely give up our Crowns to Him to honor Him. You know what, this is not some mystical thing. It's going to happen. Reality is kicking me in the butt right now.
So what do I do? Where do I go? When do I start? Right now. I have to give my self to God, to do His work. I can't go into this conviction thinking that by doing more good things that I am going to be exalted. Do you see how that works? If it is about me (notice the I's in the previous sentence) then I have missed the point. Remember, motives will be judged (I hate hearing myself say and type that....but it's true). We must be willing to do things because we love Christ, we love what He has done for us, we are thankful to Him because He is good/perfect, and we understand that He is Lord over the Highest place in Heaven, all the way to the Lowest place in Hell (Tarturus).
Do you know your calling? What are your relationships like? How well do you know God? Does Christ influence your daily life in a meaningful way?
More God, I want all those more.