Today’s Bible Reading:
1 Chronicles 3-4
Hebrews 9
Amos 3
Psalms 146-147
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Hebrews 9:27-28 (CSB): “And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment — so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
I want you to imagine that you are at a funeral. The pastor is speaking at the front as everyone sits quietly and listens. There are tears and a few sobs. After the closing prayer, you join the procession as everyone makes their way past the casket to say their last good-byes. As you peer into the casket, you see … you!
While that scenario would probably be a great intro for a Twilight Zone episode, it’s going to happen one day. No, you’re not going to see yourself in a casket. But your body will, sooner or later, be resting in a casket. You, my friend, are going to die.
As your body rest silently, lifelessly in that casket, you will have already been in eternity for awhile. Whether you ended up in Heaven or Hell, you’ve been there ever since you breathed your last breath.
But you will be eventually judged, my friend. If you are saved, it will be a judgment of grace at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11). If you are an unbeliever, it will be a judgment of your activities and it will take place at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). The judgment of believers will determine the rewards and enjoyable responsibilities to be experienced in Heaven. The judgment of unbelievers will determine the degree of punishment they will experience in Hell.
So, the two verses that I chose for today tell us that each of us is awaiting a time of judgment after we die. But, we also read that no one need spend eternity in Hell. Jesus died as a substitute for anyone who will trust in Him for forgiveness and salvation.
Hebrews 9:27-28 (CSB): “And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment — so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Friend, if you have never transfered your trust to Jesus (stopped trusting in yourself and in your supposed goodness and trusted in Jesus), then why not do that right now. Recognize that you have broken many of God’s laws and stand guilty before Him. But also realize that He loved you so much that He sent Jesus to pay your sin debt if you will only look to Him and trust in Him. Rest in what He did for you.
Then, when you breathe your last breath and your body is laid in a casket, you will be with the Lord, enjoying the splendors of Heaven.
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Jesus, thank You so much that You left Heaven to pay the sin debt of every single person who will trust in You. I am resting in what You did for me on the cross and am relying upon You for my righteous standing before my Heavenly Father. Thank You that, because I am trusting in You, I will enjoy the fact that my Older Brother is the one who will one day judge in in grace. I am so unworthy. Thank You! Amen.
Matt’s Musings 