Afraid of the last court?

When we understand that we live, weave, and are in Christ (Acts 17,28), in the One who created all things and redeemed all things and who loves us unconditionally, we can put all fear and worry about where we stand with God and begin to truly be in the certainty of his love and guiding power in to rest our lives.

The gospel is good news. Indeed, it is good news not only for a few people, but for all people: "He (Jesus) himself is the atonement for our sins, not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world" (1. John 2,2).

It is sad, but true, many believing Christians are afraid of the final judgment. Maybe you too. After all, when we are honest with each other, we all know that in many ways we do not satisfy God's perfect righteousness. But the most important thing we can remember about the court is the judge's identity. The presiding judge at the final court is none other than Jesus Christ, our Savior and Savior!

As you know, the book of Revelation has a lot to say about the last judgment. Some of this may sound scary when we think of our sins. But Revelation has a lot to say about the judge. "Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and prince of kings on earth! Him who loves us and has redeemed us from our sins with his blood" (Revelation 1,5). Jesus is a judge who loves the sinners he judges so much that he died for them and stood in for them in their stead and for them! More than that, he rose for her from the dead and brought her into the life and presence of the Father who loves her as much as Jesus does. This fills us with relief and joy. Since Jesus himself is the judge, there is no reason for us to be afraid of the judgment.

God loves sinners, including you, so much that the Father sent the Son to stand up for human cause and draw all people, including you, to Him by transforming our minds and hearts through the Holy Spirit. "I (Jesus), when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to me" (John 12,32), God does not try to find things wrong with you to keep you out of His kingdom. No, he sincerely wants you in his kingdom and he will never stop pulling you in that direction.

Notice how Jesus defines eternal life in this passage in John's gospel: "Now this is eternal life, that they know you, who alone are true God, and whom you sent, Jesus Christ" (John 17,3).

It is not difficult or complicated to know Jesus. There is no secret hand gesture to decipher or puzzles to solve. Jesus said simply, "Come to me, all you who laborious and heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11,28).

It's just a matter of turning to Him. He has done whatever is necessary to make you worthy. He has already forgiven you for all your sins. As the apostle Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates his love for us in this, that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5,8). God doesn't wait until we're good enough to forgive us and make us His own children - He has already done it.

When we turn to God and put our trust in Jesus Christ, we enter a new life. The Holy Ghost dwells in us and begins to scrape off the thick layer of our sinfulness - sinful habits, attitudes, and mindsets - he turns us inside out into the image of Christ.

This can sometimes be painful, but it is also liberating and refreshing. Through this we grow in faith and learn to know and love our Redeemer more and more. And the more we know about our Savior, who is also our judge, the less we fear the judgment.

When we know Jesus, we trust Jesus and can rest in full confidence of our salvation. It's not about how good we are; that was never the point. It was always about how good he is. That's good news - the best news anyone can hear!

by Joseph Tkach