The Hot Seat or the Mercy Seat?

A young mom who attends my church approached me last Sunday after service. She was struggling with the words of Christ in Matt.12:36, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” This scripture, coupled with Paul’s reminder that “We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” found in 2Cor. 5:10 was causing her great distress because she was feeling condemnation and fearing punishment for she knew that she often said careless words and did things that probably displeased the Lord. I know many Christians struggle with such feelings… but should we? Is this what the Lord wants? Does he want us to be so scared of this terrible life-end evaluation that we “straighten up and fly right?” After all, the Bible doesn’t say, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom?” Yes, that is true… but what does that mean ?


How do those verses “square” with these scriptures: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death!” (Rom. 8:1-2) “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1John 2:1-2) “In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” (1John 4:17-18) So, where is the balance?

What helped my friend on Sunday find some balance was to imagine herself talking to her own kids when they had failed. Imagine your son or daughter failed a big test at school, or failed to catch the high fly ball and lost the game, or failed at being a good friend to one of the neighborhood kids. How would you handle that? What would your hope be for the end result of that conversation? Would your hope be that your child ended up in your arms hugging you, sorry that they had messed up, but glad for your correction and unconditional love? I can’t imagine a parent who wouldn’t at least hope for that resolution! We have the perfect heavenly father who loves us so much, so unconditionally, that while we were yet sinners, in active rebellion against Him, He gave His only Son for us! That’s how he feels about you! Listen to these… “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Rom 8:31-34) "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matt. 7:10-11) So how do you suppose God will handle his sons and daughters in dealing with our failures? I can’t say for sure, but this I do know, there will be no condemnation in it, no punishment dished out. He already punished Christ for all our sins, so if we have by faith received salvation in Christ, we will not be judged for them. In fact God will not see our sins at all, but rather the righteous record of sinless Jesus! (see 2Cor. 5:21) Jesus’ words in Matt. 12 about men being held to account for every careless word, were spoken to unbelievers who had just “carelessly” accused Jesus of using the power of the devil to drive out demons. Paul’s warning about standing before the judgment seat of Christ, however, was addressed to believers. He said we will be judged “for things done in the body – whether good or bad.” Does this mean our salvation depends on our good works? No, our salvation is not at stake here. This will be a judgment for what we heaven-bound Christians did with our salvation. Did we live for Christ or for self? Did we follow Him or serve mammon? Did we build His kingdom or feather our nests? Guess we all can chew on those questions for a while. Truth is, we could all do better. But I want to leave you with this: at the judgment seat of Christ, we will not be in fear or be feeling guilt or shame, since Jesus took those from us at the cross. We will feel His GREAT love and mercy and compassion as we see just how much he forgave us!

Now go hug your kids, and as you do, think, “God loves me… and them …and everyone… more than this!” And when they ask you, “Why are you hugging me?” you can tell them, “Just because I love you….no matter what!”