JOHN 12:46-48: “I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness. If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not accept My teachings has one who judges him: the word which I spoke. That will judge him on the last day.” NASB

OBSERVATION: What will be the final judge of our lives? This is a sobering thought to consider. No one likes to think about the end of their life. Yet, we all will face this day. There is no one who will escape it. Therefore, it is important that we are prepared for it!

With the thought of judgment comes our concept of who God is. Is God the eternal judge who is sitting in heaven just waiting to punish us for all of our failures in life? This is the idea that many people have of God. Jesus came to reveal the heart of the Father. Jesus was the express image of the Father. In Jesus’ life, we find the true nature of God revealed.

• “I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness. If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”

Jesus came as Light to the world. He came to illuminate the truth of God’s Word, God’s heart, and God’s love. Jesus came to be the light to all mankind – to everyone who would believe. He did not come to pronounce judgment upon the world. Jesus came to die for this world and to save it. This is the heart of God.

Yet, this does not mean that there will not be a final judgment. If God is a God of love He also must be a God of justice. True love demands justice. Truth always calls one to a decision. It is this decision that will be the core of the judgment that we all will face. Jesus makes it very clear what the final judgment will be.

• “The one who rejects Me and does not accept My teachings has one who judges him: the word which I spoke. That will judge him on the last day.”

So many today dismiss the Bible as a fairy tale. They reject the claims of Jesus Christ. They ignore the cross and the empty tomb. They believe there is no absolute truth. Truth is something that each person decides for themselves. If there is a God then He will judge us by how we have lived and treated our fellow man. As long as I do my best that is all anyone can expect – Right?

Wrong! Truth is not relative. Our judgment will not be based on what we have done but on what we have believed. The Bible is clear, we are all sinners and fall short of the glory (perfection) of God. Even our best efforts are not enough to escape the final judgment. At the end of our life, there will be a final judgment and a final judge. This final judge will be the very Word of God that so many dismiss. Jesus’ words will judge all men at the end of their life.

The final judgment will not be a performance test. It will not be based on how well each person followed Jesus’ teachings. If that were the case we all would fail. The final judgment will be a faith test. There is only one consideration that will determine our eternal destiny at the end of our lives.

What did we do with Jesus?

Did we embrace Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord and His teachings as the truth? Or, did we dismiss Jesus’ claims and His words? No one will escape the final judgment based on works. The only way to escape final judgment and receive the assurance of eternal life is to place our complete trust in Jesus Christ. To trust Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord is also to embrace all of His teachings. Jesus said,

• “…If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ‘ John 8:31-32

Jesus’ teachings, His truth, will set us free. It will set us free from the power of sin in this life and the judgment for sin in the life to come. To reject Jesus is to reject His truth. To reject His truth is to reject Jesus. On that final day of our life the only thing that will matter will be –

Did I believe in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life?

Only those who place their complete trust in Jesus Christ will go from death to life and escape the judgment of sin. To those who reject Jesus Christ and His Word, Jesus Himself will not judge them. Jesus’ very words will be the final judge of their life and they will determine their eternal destiny.

God is a God of love. He is not willing that any should perish. His love is full of truth and justice. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to show us the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus died on the cross, for our sins, in our place, so that we could escape the power and penalty of sin in the final judgment. To embrace Jesus Christ is to receive life and peace. To reject Jesus Christ will result in death and eternal judgment.

Jesus and His Word have been given so that all may believe!

Lord, I pray that everyone who reads these words will be convicted by the Holy Spirit, will repent, and receive the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. May they know the joy of life, peace, and the blessed assurance of eternal life, without judgment, forever secure in the arms of a loving God!

In Jesus’ Name!