FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Faith Essentials

reference to the Second Coming. Paul wrote that God will one day “Judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ” (Romans 2:16). When my twenty-something daughter was a toddler, she swallowed a curtain hook. We took her to the hospital and they immediately performed an X- ray, which showed the metal object caught in her throat. The curtain hook was exposed, brought to light and then removed. Likewise, for believers, the return of Christ will trigger a coming to light, a time of exposure and accountability, and especially a true evaluation of our deeds. According to Paul, our efforts and accomplishments will be shown for what they are at the Second Coming. Some Christians build their foundations on wood, hay and straw (1 Corinthians 3:12-13). These deeds may stand the test of time, generating a position in the church and accolades among peers. Ultimately, they will not survive judgment seat scrutiny. According to the Bible, this time of evaluation will also include accountability for our words. Jesus said, “Every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). I sometimes feel awkward when people start recording on their phones around me, knowing that every word is being picked up and preserved. Yet, what’s that compared to God’s cosmic recorder that logs a lifetime of conversations? Not only will our actions and words be judged, but the motives behind them as well. When the Lord comes, He “Will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5). Sometimes, people join churches for enhanced social status or increased business opportunity. Some make sizable monetary contributions to bask in the publicity and notoriety. Others seek visibility and leadership to feed a hungry ego. These are the kinds of things that will be laid bare at the return of Christ. This time of judgment also involves loss. As stated, the quality of a person’s work will be shown for what it is. Speaking symbolically,

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