On the day of judgement, we will not be judged by our own measure of what is ‘good or bad’- we will be judged by God’s measure.  For “all a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” (Prov.16:2). 

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We will not be judged according to whether or not we followed the traditions of a ‘church’, or the doctrines of any ‘denomination’.  For, “Peter and the other apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” (Acts 5:29).     

 

Nor will we be judged by whether or not we ‘followed our heart’.  “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (Matt.15:19). 

 

Our great Judge will not ask us if we went to ‘church’ every Sunday morning, nor will he be interested in how many seminars and conferences we attended. It will not matter if we call ourselves an ‘Anglican’ or a ‘Pentecostal’ or a ‘Jehovah’s witness’ or a ‘Catholic’ or a 'Presbyterian', or a 'Baptist', or a ‘good person’ (or anything else).  We will not be judged by our ability to read Greek, Aramaic or Latin?  We will be judged by one measure alone, and that is; whether or not we had enough “faith” to “obey” Jesus Christ.  For we are called to - “the obedience that comes from faith” (Rom. 1:5).

 

And it will not matter if we are highly regarded by others.  Our standing within a church community will count for nothing, because each of us will stand alone before God.  On that day of judgement, no ‘pastor’ or ‘priest’ or ‘minister’ or ‘preacher’ will be there to defend us! 

Just as it is written, “So then, each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12). 

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We have been told to expect judgement, and we should live accordingly.  We are reminded throughout the apostles' teachings of the need for repentance. 

 

The apostle Peter started his first letter with these words; "To God's elect, strangers in this world" (1 Peter 1:1)  Peter then writes in verse 17, "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." 

The theme throughout peter's letters is consistent.  We are to separate ourselves from the standards of the world.  Judgement is coming for all of us in Christ.  We need to repent and live holy lives.  "Dear friends , I urge you, as aliens and strangers in this world, to abstain from sinful desiresLive such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2:12).   

 

It is to the same people that he writes, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).  It is to those inside the church that he writes, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone come to repentance."

 

From the very beginning of His new covenant church, our Lord has been calling his people to repentance, so that none should perish.  The only question we need to ask is this:  Do we have enough faith to listen and obey?