by Rex Rouis
If the Bible, and Columbo (TV show detective), tell us anything at all, it is that nobody gets away with anything, ever. Even physics tells us that every action requires an equal but opposite reaction. So, why do we live our lives as if it’s not true? There is only one thing powerful enough for this spiritual stupor – darkness. Darkness produces dullness of heart and a sin induced denial. Of course, denial is great until you come out of it, and someday this world will surely come out of it.
There are only three possible consequences for each of our actions:
1. For the individual who has received eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and for their labors that agree with the will of God, they are eternally rewarded.
“…each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. I Corinthians 3:13, 14
2. For the individual who has received eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and for their labors that do not agree with the will of God, they will suffer the loss of a victory, and the loss of its resulting eternal reward. The individual will be saved but the potential reward for that specific situation is forever lost.
“…each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. …. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” I Corinthians 3:13, 15
3. For the individual who has chosen not to receive eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, they, and all their potential rewards and enjoyments, will be forever lost. Their actions do not matter.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened….. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12, 15
I know this is a downer, but this is as real as it gets; that’s why it’s a downer. This is grace and justice, and the goodness and severity of God. Grace, justice, goodness, and severity find their answer in faith. Faith too has consequences, and they are all positive.
…that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus. (Romans 3:26) …For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) …a man is justified by faith apart from (self) works of the law. (Romans 3:28)