“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”
Matthew 25:31-33
Jesus Will Return and Judge All
Devotion based on Matthew 25:31-33
See series: Devotions
We all take different paths throughout life. After high school, one person chooses to go to college, another joins the military, another gets a job, and another lands in prison. We wear different clothes, love different music and movies, live in different places, and choose different paths.
No matter the vivid or boring details on our varied trips through life, every single person’s path will lead to the exact same place. We will all stand before one judge: Jesus.
Jesus lived a perfect life. He died on the cross and rose on the third day. After spending 40 days with his disciples, our risen Savior ascended into heaven. On the last day, this world as we know it will come to a sudden and dramatic end. Jesus will return and will judge all. Every single person—every young and old person, every Christian and non-Christian, all the living and the dead—will stand before Jesus.
When Jesus judges all, he will use fairly simple criteria. Do you believe in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Do you trust in Jesus as your Savior from sin and death? Jesus said it like this: “Whoever believes in him [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18).
Are you ready for that day? A mound of good deeds will not get you into heaven. Only faith in Jesus and his perfect work, sacrifice, and resurrection permit you to enter heaven. A mound of bad deeds will not keep you out of heaven. Faith in Jesus and Jesus’ perfect work, sacrifice, and resurrection declare you forgiven with heaven as your eternal home.
Trust in Jesus. He is your Savior and your judge.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, one day I will stand before you, face to face. Send your Spirit through your Word to work in my heart a deep and lasting trust in you. Let everything I say and do loudly shout that I love and trust in you. Amen.
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