God "will give to each person according to what he has done."
Thoughts for Today:The quote Paul references in our passage today is from both Psalm 62:12, "Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done," and Proverbs 24:12, "If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?" That's a pretty scary proposition if you think about it. What man or woman in their right mind wants to be judged according to their works?
A friend of mine told me recently, "I think God's a good guy. I think my kids [adult children] are good people and even if they aren't Christians, he knows they have good hearts. He will let them into heaven." He used the word good three times: God is good, my kids are good, and they have good hearts. Unfortunately my friend is more wrong than right. God is not a "good guy" who breaks the rules for certain people. It is foolishness to hope our works while on this earth will ever allow us into God's holy presence for eternity -- no matter how "good" we try to be. Is having a good heart, good enough for God? The psalmist writes in Psalm 143:2, "Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you." What does "no one" mean to you?
Questions to Ponder:Do you think you might be the one exception to the rule? Do you think your works in this life are good enough for God to let you into heaven? What makes you so special? No one is righteous before God, and that includes your children and other loved ones. The Lord is perfect we are not -- it is really that simple -- we all need a Savior. God Himself died so that we might live. It is a gift offered to all -- we simply need to accept it. Will you?