TAKE THE LONG LOOK

Hebrews 9:27 NIV
[27] “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”

Here is a stone we may not like but it is one that we must include in our selection of foundation stones.

Why?

A tightrope walker crossing a chasm must be conscious of the danger of losing his balance. So also, every child of God, walking the tightrope of truth (who is Jesus), must be aware of the chasm of eternal judgment that we are crossing. If we forget about the danger of falling from faith in Him, we will forget the consequences of unbelief and disobedience.

The fear of falling should never be the motive for remaining faithful to Jesus but rather the signpost that guides us to a glorious future and a reminder of the grace and mercy of God that allows us to cross the chasm.

Whenever I read this warning note in Hebrews, I rest in the next statement which forms the whole truth.

Hebrews 9:28 NIV
[28] “… so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Yes, judgment is real because our God is holy, righteous and just. He must deal with all people, obedient or disobedient, to be true to Himself. Yes, hell is real, the place of eternal punishment for those who refuse to obey the gospel. Yes, God will also punish those who have persecuted His people. We know that His holy character demands retribution for all wrongdoing.

To the Thessalonian believers who were suffering for their faith, Paul wrote,

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 NIV
[6] “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you [7] and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. [8] He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might [10] on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”

How important it is for us, then, who have chosen to walk the tightrope of obedience to Jesus, that we stay on course by keeping in mind the dire consequences of falling. How thankful we are that we are safe and secure because of the one who died for us and lives in us by His Spirit to guide us safely to our destination. What a motivation to warn others of the cisrquences of unbelief!

This stone, together with all the stones in the foundation that is strong enough to hold our lives as we build on them, will be a steadying influence as we navigate through a dangerous world to our heavenly home. We need both the promises and warnings to provide hope and security that we will safely arrive at our destination.