And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27 KJV

In contrast to religions that teach reincarnation or secular views of degrading into nothing, the Christian faith teaches rebirth in Christ and thereafter the righteous judgment of God. Each of us is held accountable to our holy God for our actions and even the words we speak to one another.

Just as men die once and God judges our lives, Jesus died once to pay the price for our sins. When we accept this atonement sacrifice, turn from our sins, and obey God, we receive forgiveness. In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul explains the superiority of this New Covenant to the Old Covenant established with the children of Israel. 

The Wages of Sin

Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, mankind lives and dies under the judgment of God. Sin is so serious that our Father will not allow it in his presence. The penalty of sin is death. However, God provided a path to forgiveness. Christ paid the price for the sins of mankind on the cross. As we read in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV”

Unlike repeated animal sacrifices, the sacrifice of Christ covers sin once and for all. For this reason, Jesus said as he died in John 19:30, “It is finished.” Repenting from sin and accepting Christ as Savior, each believer begins a new life, born again and free from the condemnation of sin. The judgment for our sins fell upon Christ and he paid our sin debt in full on the cross at Calvary. 

In addition to forgiveness, Jesus teaches obedience. The Lord says in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. WEB” Also, Jesus teaches the faithful to carefully consider our words. He says in Matthew 12:36, “I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. WEB”

The Fairness of God

After death, the judgment of God follows. The forgiven who accept Christ and do the will of God receive an inheritance of eternal life in heaven. Those who practice lawlessness receive condemnation. To this end, the judgment of God, Jesus teaches us to care for the hungry, the sick, and the otherwise needy in the parable of the sheep and the goats recorded in Matthew 25:31-46.

Beyond separating the saved from the condemned, Jesus demonstrates the fairness of God by offering salvation to the repentant sinner who accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. Further demonstrating God’s fairness, Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:19, “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. NIV”

Yesterday’s Devotional: The Message of Truth