Everyone knows that dying is one of those facts of life, it will happen to us all.  (Except those that are still alive when Christ returns)  Death for a Christian though is something that is not troubling.  It certainly is sad to leave your loved ones behind but the flip side is Paradise so it’s an ok tradeoff until they all join you later.  BUT, even as a saved child of God we all will have to stand before Christ as judge, Hebrews 9:27, And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”   Not just unbelievers, but “every knee.”   

 

I heard this song the other day on KLOVE that begins with these first lines;

• One of these days we all will stand in judgment for

• Every single word that we have spoken

• One of these days we all will stand before the Lord

• Give a reason for everything we've done

 

The Bible tells us that there will be two judgments.  In Revelation 20:11 it tells about the Great White Throne Judgment for unbelievers who will be “judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”   This is the judgment that is held just prior to Christ and all believers begin their endless lives in eternity.  This is the judgment that we do not want to be part of!

 

If we are followers of Christ and have put our faith and trust in Him, we will stand before His Judgment seat where we will give account of how faithfully we have served Him.  Although we are not saved by good works, it is the good that we do after we are saved that will survive God’s refining fire.  Romans 8:1 is a promise from God’s word, So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

 

So we must belong to Christ Jesus.  And Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."   Like Billy Graham used to say, repent of your sins and be forgiven, than attend church this Sunday.  We build our faith by hearing the Word and reading the Word, it truly is the Living Word.  No other book can state that when read and studied, it has the power to save your soul!  But The Bible can make that statement, James 1:21.

 

So if we know ahead of time through His Word that every knee will bow, wouldn’t it be wise to give our life to Him now rather than be sent away from Him then.    We want to hear well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master.  Then we can proceed through the gates and walk on those shiny streets of Gold.   Hallelujah