While reading the daily news, I came across a sad story about a 19-year-old. He had killed another teenager and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. What a ruined life that young man is now facing, all because of a bad decision and reaction.
Because of incarceration, he will most likely not be able to experience a marriage with the love of his life, experience the joy of teaching a young son how to ride a bicycle, or have a career that he looked forward to expanding. His life was drastically changed because of one terrible act.
My mind mused on a family member who also committed a terrible deed and how their life was also changed because of a wrong decision. That person also missed out on a lot of joy and a more “normal” life because of the wrong act.
Then I continued to ponder on my own poor decisions and sinful deeds. Except for traffic violations, I never committed a crime, but in God’s eye, I committed transgressions against Him.
Except for the enduring, patient grace of God, it could be me locked up and missing all the wonderful things that have happened in my life. From those brief meditations, it was not a long stretch to think of the most likely trillions that found themselves in a tormenting Hell because they made many wrong choices. Thank you, Lord, for keeping me from what I deserve.
As was the title of the article I read about the youth being sentenced to jail, there will be a “Judgment Day” for those who did not trust Christ as their Saviour from a tormenting eternity. Their worst and damning decision was not to trust Christ’s death as payment for their sins and be saved. Now, their hopeless screams resonate off Hell’s walls. It will be a time that is much longer than 35 years.
Hell, however, is a “temporary” holding cell for the damned dead who will one day face a judgment for their sins. They will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment and later sentenced to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. What a terrible day that will be for too many!
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15
The saved will never face judgment for their sins; they are forgiven when they trusted Christ’s death as payment for their sin. However, there will be a time when those folks will also face a time to answer for what they did or did not do for Christ after their salvation. No one is saved just to sit and soak up God’s goodness. We are to serve Him.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” II Corinthians 5:10
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10
“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Colossians 3:24-25
The young murderer has ruined his life. I am sure he has many regrets, but those emotions will not change his future.
Likewise, those who have not been born-again by trusting Christ’s payment for all their iniquities will one day have an eternity of regrets and sufferings. Now, while you have breath and an opportunity, trust Christ as your Saviour, if you have not done so already.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
