WHEN I FIRST WAS SAVED, I was under loving pastoral care. I don’t remember every sermon that was preached, but there’s one that has been etched on my heart. My pastor said that the Lord was recording everything- my whole life, every word, every thought, every interaction, every injustice and He keeps accurate and detailed files. So when I went before Him on judgment day, I was without excuse. I was going to give an account before Him.
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” (Psalm 56:8).
“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16).
“I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name” (Malachi 3:16).
This message helped me understand the mercy and judgment of God. “Behold the goodness and the severity of God!” said the Apostle Paul. You cannot only dwell on His goodness and you cannot only dwell on His severity. A fear of God and a mighty love for Him will produce a healthy balance in your life. Sitting under a pastor who preaches His entire counsel produces healthy, balanced, loving and obedient children. If I truly repent, mercy; but if I continued on in sin, judgment. There was nothing that was done against me that would not be dealt with and there was nothing that I did against another that I would get away with.
“In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” Proverbs 16:6
“By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4
We can deceive ourselves into believing our own lies and we can justify our actions to others and spin the narrative of what really happened; but God is keeping a record. Jesus said, “I know your works” and one day we will all stand before the judgment seat and give an account. He knows every false accusation and lie spoken against you, He will repay.
I think most tend to believe this part, but the other is also true and from my position in the body of Christ, there is a huge lack of the fear of the Lord. You have been spoon-fed a constant diet of sugary preaching and it’s produced deception in your life of the nature and character of God. He knows every idle, slanderous and foolish word you have spoken; every malicious betrayal done in dark and He will repay. You might get away with things on earth, you may deceive others; but you will be held accountable on that day. I live in constant awe of an Almighty God who knows my heart’s motives.
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” I Corinthians 4:5
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Revelation 20:12 NKJV
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page