Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
This passage of scripture teaches us the sacred truth that we will be judged by our actions, and that the deciding factor will be the law of God. Not only will our actions be brought into the judgment, but the secret motives that drove those actions will also be included in the final analysis, for our intentions give character to our actions, and thereby validate whether those deeds were done in uprightness, or conversely, with an ulterior motive. It is indeed true that we are saved by God's grace and not by works, lest any man should have reason to boast, however, the grace of God which brings salvation to all men was manifested that all sin might be eradicated from our lives, through the imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ, and therefore, if any Christian were to be found deliberately harboring and practicing some known, cherished sin, then the full responsibility for our thoughts and actions will ultimately rest upon our own shoulders. Let's read:
1st John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you" ........ 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
This particular text must not ever be mistaken to mean that a born again Christian cannot sin, for this is not what is meant by any stretch of the imagination, as evidenced by the following passage, which brings to light the importance of studying the word of God line upon line and precept upon precept, so that we can safely arrive at correct conclusions. Let's read:
1st John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The sin that is being referred to, when John states that the true followers of Christ do not sin, has to do with deliberate, presumptuous sin, perpetuated over time with no intention of either confessing or forsaking it. This type of sin is not to be encouraged nor indulged by any Christian, neither should we look for safe haven under the sin that is not unto death, or the sin which doth so easily beset us, for as stated before, Christ was manifested to destroy all sin. Let's read:
1st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When our names come up for review in the final judgment, the history of our bad deeds will be brought into question, only if we are found to be living in direct and deliberate violation of any revealed commands of God. Otherwise, our sins and the records of all the evils we have committed in the past would be permanently blotted out from sacred history and from our memory, so that, as the Bible states, the former things will not come into mind. Let's read:
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
In our day, many people, even amongst sincere Christians give little thought to the judgment that is now taking place in the heavenly courts, to decide the eternal destinies of all who have ever believed on Jesus, and because this sacred truth has been put on the back burner in the minds of millions for too many years, many people will come up to the day of judgment unprepared, and will realize too late that this sacred truth had been neglected for too long, in order that the necessary reforms and changes to our hearts could be made by the renewing power of The Holy Spirit, who had been made available to every believer.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that tells us of the most solemn announcement soon to be made from the courts of heaven by God Himself, an announcement that will forever seal the destiny of every person who has ever lived on the planet, and this sobering declaration is written with the intent that we all may take heed. Let's read:
Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
May the import of this message resonate with us and prompt us to surrender ourselves to God, so that the necessary changes to our characters can take place whilst probation lingers. "Good night" and God bless!