Faith and Judgment
There is a time for everything under the heavens. Life ebbs and flows in seasons, each with its own purpose and meaning. As Ecclesiastes so poetically reminds Christians, there is “a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” These words reflect the rhythm of existence—joy and sorrow, building and tearing down, peace and conflict—all woven into the fabric of our humanity. While these seasons may seem random or even burdensome at times, the Scripture assures us that God has made everything beautiful in its time. Yet, as finite beings, we cannot fully fathom the vastness of God's plan, for He has set eternity in Christian hearts while veiling the full scope of His work.
This truth sustains me. It reminds me that life on Earth, with all its toils and trials, has meaning far beyond what Christians can perceive. Christians are called to embrace the gifts of God: to find joy in our labor, to eat, drink, and live in satisfaction, for these are blessings from Him. More importantly, Christians must recognize that everything God does will endure forever—unchanged, perfect, and eternal. Nothing can be added to it, nor taken from it. This permanence serves as a reminder to fear Him, knowing that all things are held accountable under His divine judgment.
Judgment is central to the Christian journey. Ecclesiastes 3:17 reminds Christians that “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” As Christians and human beings, we must constantly reflect on what this means for our lives. There is no escaping the reality that one day we ALL will stand before God and answer for our actions. The key to eternal life begins with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior. This is not a superficial act; it requires a transformed heart. This means you do not hate your fellow human beings. You do not use wealth and power for egocentric purposes. It also means that hypocrisy has no place in your soul. Furthermore, you cannot shortcut God’s timing, and you cannot truly be baptized without full repentance in your heart.
True repentance cannot be rushed or faked. A heart truly turned toward God will seek His timing and submit to His will. Baptism without repentance is an empty ritual; it is the surrender of the heart that marks a genuine relationship with God. Yet, even as we strive to walk in faith, temptation lurks at every corner. Lucifer, the deceiver, uses the very commandments meant to guide us as tools to lead us astray. He works tirelessly to sow doubt, pride, and disobedience, pulling us away from God's path.
The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, were designed to liberate us from sin and draw us closer to God's holiness. Similarly, Jesus affirmed and deepened these laws with the greatest commandments: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. These commandments are not merely rules to follow; they are the essence of Christianity and a witness to the world. When we stray from them—whether by rejecting God’s authority, failing to love others, or neglecting the mission of the Church—Christians weaken our ability to make a meaningful impact.
Lucifer knows God’s ultimate goal is to bring as many people into Heaven, and his greatest strategy is to turn Christians away from God’s commandments. The more we reject the principles of love, humility, and service that Jesus exemplified, the less effective Christians become as instruments of God’s kingdom. To honor God, Christians must actively embody His commandments in every aspect of our lives. Christians must resist the temptation to compromise or rationalize sin and instead strive to live in obedience to His word.
Ultimately, everything comes back to God’s perfect plan. Though wickedness may appear in places of judgment and justice, God will hold every deed accountable. There is comfort in knowing that all things—past, present, and future—are under His sovereign control. He has made everything beautiful in its time, and His enduring work calls Christian to trust Him fully.
As Christians, we must remain vigilant in our faith, committed to the teachings of Christ, and ever mindful of the eternal perspective. Judgment is not something to fear but to prepare for, knowing that our salvation lies in Jesus. By loving God and our neighbors, rejecting sin, and walking in obedience, Christians honor the One who holds all time and eternity in His hands. Let Christians embrace this truth and live with purpose, for in God’s perfect timing, all will be made right.
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