The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 13:3,
"Unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Here is something that seems rarely spoken of about Jesus Christ - the sentence of eternal death he proclaimed. If we fail to make the choice to go a different direction with our lives, embrace him in faith, we will "perish." He is not speaking of physical death in this life, as all die, both the righteous and the wicked. The context clearly points to that particular judgment of God that is eternal in nature. What is clear is that life exists within the context of a judicial system. As we read the Scriptures and become familiar with them we discover this judicial system has its origin, design and function in God as the Creator of the cosmos.
This judicial system reflects the very nature and personality of God. In Jeremiah 9:24 we read, "Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight."
This system of justice is not seeking our input on its terms of fairness or severity. It isn't holding focus groups or conducting polls. I doesn't consult with me as to how I feel about it. I am simply subject to it. We all are.
This judicial system does not require our awareness or acceptance of it, as we are all subject to it - without exception. It cares not whether we accept or agree with its terms as it is simply a reflection of God carrying out his activities. Romans 3:12 says, "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law." Also, we read in Romans 14:10, "We will all stand before God's judgment seat."
We read of this judicial system carrying out its activities, which are the activities of God himself. "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." Revelation 20:11-12. The verdict of all is found in verse 15, "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." It is this very "book of life" Jesus called people to as he preached repentance.
Here is a frightful reality all mankind lives in. God will judge all who's name is not written in his book of life, and the sentence is to be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur for all eternity, Revelation 21:8. The wonderful news is that Jesus has made a way for us by taking our punishment on himself! Forgiveness becomes ours if we embrace him in faith! "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24.
What could possibly be better than this?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
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