Revised Daily Bread

Acts 17:31 - "Because He has set a day in which He is going to judge the inhabitants in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed having provided everyone with faith by His resurrection from death."

There are three very important facts that are established here:
1- There is an appointed time for judgment.
2- Everyone will be judged by God's standard of righteousness.
3- Jesus is the Man that has been appointed by God to be the Judge. This judgment refers to the judgment seat of Christ and also the Great White Throne of judgment. The Judgment Seat of Christ will take place before the one-thousand-year reign of Christ, and at that time all of God's saints will be judged. Paul states emphatically that we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for the deeds done in our body whether they are good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1). Jesus said that all judgment was given to Him in heaven and in earth, and it would be by the word which He spoke that every man would be judged. We may then understand that the measure of righteousness which God will use is described in His word (John 12:48). Jesus also gave us an understanding of God's expectation for our lives when He demanded that we overcome as He overcame. In fact, in His address to the seven churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3, He makes the standard of righteousness very clear. God's expectation is that we walk in His righteousness and purity; otherwise, our names will be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life. The manner of Jesus' life and conduct is the standard of righteousness, and we are to follow in His example (1 Peter 2: 21-24). John said, "Let no one deceive you; he that does righteousness is righteous even as He (Jesus) is righteous" (1 John 3:7; 2:29). God's judgment is not subjective; He has plainly made known His will to all men and has provided us with the ability to fulfill His will. We should all take heed to the warning that Jesus gave when He said, "Not everyone that says 'Lord, Lord' will enter in but they that do the will of my Father." There can be no doubt concerning the will of the Father; for He has made it painfully clear (Matthew 7:21-27; 1 John 2:15-17).

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org