Come, Lord Jesus, in Justice

For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and ‘will then repay every man according to his deeds’ (Matthew 16:27).

When Jesus returns He will repay every man according to his deeds. The word ‘repay’ literally means to render, reward, or recompense. The basis for this action is a person’s praxis, from which we get the word practice, function, or work. This ‘rewarding’ will be two-fold: (1) the believer will be rewarded for his/her faithfulness to Jesus Christ by sharing in the glory of His Kingdom, or (2) the non-believer will be rewarded for his/her rejection of Jesus Christ by being judged and punished for their sin. Jesus said (Revelation 22:12), Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Throughout Scripture it is abundantly clear that every person is accountable to God for his/her life - their attitudes and actions in life. (Romans 14:9-12) For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live”, says the Lord, “every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. 

As for the Christian (2 Corinthians 5:9-10), Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

We must remember that our works do not save or condemn us. Our works simply indicate our spiritual status. Jesus said (Matthew 7:15-20), Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.

The life of a non-Christian is evidenced by the absence of a holy character and righteous conduct. The life of a true Christian is evidenced by the presence of a holy character and righteous conduct. Upon these the Lord will reward us when He returns.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You that soon You will return to rule over Your Kingdom on earth, and that You will reward us for faithful service or for sin and self-indulgence. Your holiness and justice will determine our praise or our punishment. Again I pray that You will come soon. Amen.”

Pastor