The Judgment Upon the House of God

Over the course of the last 20 years, at least the period of time that I ran my landscape business, I had the opportunity to hire a number of employees. Out of a position that would open up, I would put out an ad and people would respond. And I would categorize some responses as, you know, a slam dunk. You know, this was a slam dunk hire. You know, this person that I interviewed had experience. They had skills. They were able to work well with other people. They came with good references. And over time, I said, you know, this was a good choice. They related well with my customers. They worked well as a team on the crew that we had. And in that way, it was, again, just an easy hire. Right alongside that, you had people that applied as well who weren't necessarily qualified. Other times, there were people that I interviewed and thought, well, you know, this might could go either way. This might be a good call, or it could turn out to not be such a good call. And so when I'd come across that circumstance, I'd just try to make an evaluation. But sometimes they would say things like, look, I really need this job. And I was always a sucker for that.

If someone said, please, not only do I want this job, I need this job, and I need it now. And if I wasn't for sure, I would say, okay, let's try this on a trial basis. You know, we'll have a period of evaluation. And usually that was about two weeks. Or I said, you know, you can come on, you can work. And they would work with me, they would work with the rest of the crew, and it was an evaluation period. And it was a time that allowed me to watch and see what was their work ethic. You know, what was their skill level. It gave us a period of time to see, are they going to be showing up for work on time, or are they going to be repeatedly late, you know, holding up everybody else. Is this someone I want to trust with sending out the truck, the trailer, the equipment, and you know, thousands of dollars in investments, and be the point person of connection with my customers. I said, we need an evaluation period, and then after two weeks, I'll make a judgment. And so the person understood this wasn't a once-hired, always-hired sort of a circumstance.

Again, at the end of that two-week evaluation period, I'd make a judgment whether they would continue as an employee, or whether they needed to perhaps go and look elsewhere. Do you know, brethren, that the Church of God is undergoing a judgment period by God as well? You know, have you ever, have you ever considered that? Have you considered the fact that this isn't once-saved, always-saved, and that there could not possibly be a disqualification to our calling?

Now, the Bible shows we are undergoing a judgment period by God, that it's a calling unto salvation, but God is making an evaluation. Indeed, the Bible describes this Christian life that we're living as an evaluation period, as a proving ground. You recall when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, and God stopped him right just before he intervened, and the angel Lord said, stop, and intervened just before he was going to kill his son, and the result was, now I know, you know, about Abraham. God said, now I know that he serves me and that he'll put me first. I believe in our life God has to know about each and every one of us, and what is our dedication and our commitment to him. So, this life is an evaluation period, because you see it's an opportunity to be as glorified children living as a part of his family for eternity, and God needs to know about each and every one of us, and about the person that he has called to be a part of his family. There's no higher calling than that, brethren, no greater opportunity that we could aspire to than to be the glorified children of God, to be joint heirs with Jesus Christ, again, in that family for eternity. And God needs to know, are we individuals that will fulfill the purpose for which we've been created, and will we uphold what it is that we've agreed to in terms of this covenant?

Now, as I've described before, we're under covenant with God, right? We're new covenant Christians, and so at baptism, we enter into a covenant relationship. And a covenant is, in a sense, like a contract. You know, I believe the old wording, for example, a home mortgage is a covenant, right? And there's terms, and both parties agree to terms, and you sign on the dotted line. And in our calling, brethren, unto salvation, we've entered into a covenant with God the Father at our baptism.

In that covenant, God has agreed to certain terms. He's agreed to forgive our sins upon repentance.

God's agreed to give us His Holy Spirit, which aids us in living this way of life. And He agrees that if we are faithful unto the end, we will be granted eternal life at the return of Jesus Christ.

Those are terms that God has agreed to uphold. And on the other end of the covenant, as we entered in and said, okay, we agree to these terms, you and I agreed as well to doing a number of things.

To obeying God and His commandments. We agreed to be putting Him first in all things. To be coming out of sin. It's a continual growth process. We've agreed to be walking in newness of life. And so these are the terms of the binding covenant we've agreed to live by, so that one day we may be the glorified children of God. And in this agreement, God is a sure partner. Right? There's no doubt about God. Will He uphold His end of the agreement? You know, God is a sure partner. We know that He is true.

And what He has promised, He indeed has the will and the ability to fulfill. So the question then becomes, what about us? Because in this agreement, you and I, brethren, are the weak link. Right? If this covenant is going to fail, if you look at the Old Testament in Israel and God was faithful, what caused the relationship to fail? It was the people that wasn't God. And so again, for us, this comes back to, we are the weak link. And God needs to know about us. He needs to know, will we be faithful? Will we be true to the end? Will we put Him first no matter what and serve His way no matter what? So as such today, the Church of God, and that's all of us who have entered into a covenant relationship with God through baptism, we are under an evaluation period unto a judgment today by God. He's assessing us as we live our lives before Him. He's evaluating, and ultimately, there will be a judgment. Let's turn today to 1 Peter chapter 4 as we explore this concept of judgment. 1 Peter chapter 4. Again, I appreciated Mr. Lafferty talking about the judgments that we make in our lives, because again, it ties right into the fact that we're assessing things for the purpose of what is hopefully a righteous judgment. God ultimately sets the perfect standard. 1 Peter chapter 4, beginning in verse 12, Peter says, Beloved, do not think it a strange thing concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you as though some strange thing happened to you.

It's like, you know, I'm one of God's people. How could this happen to me? Isn't God supposed to prevent all trial? And Peter says, don't think it's strange. Living in this world, Jesus Christ went through fiery trial Himself, in fact. Verse 13, it says, But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

If you are reproach for the name of Christ, blesser you for the Spirit of glory, and of God rests upon you. Upon their part He is blasphemed, but upon your part He is glorified. Verse 15, but let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer. You know, if you're going to suffer in this life, don't let it be because of any of these things, okay? Let it be because of righteousness.

Or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. Verse 17, For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now, if the righteous one is scarcely saved, scarcely saved, okay, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him in doing good as to a faithful Creator. We'll notice again, brethren, verse 17 says the time for judgment has come to begin, the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. And we might say, well, what does that mean? What does that mean exactly to be under judgment as the house of God? And what does that judgment look like? What kind of things are we being judged on anyway? Judgment is an interesting concept in the Bible and is generally broken down into two categories, temporary judgment and eternal judgment. And when you walk through judgments in the Bible, again, you find them in these two categories, temporary and eternal.

An example of a temporary judgment, we won't turn there, but Proverbs 6, 31, it says, a thief when he is caught must restore sevenfold, though it cost him all the wealth of his house.

So that's a temporary judgment, right? You've been caught as a thief, now you must restore sevenfold. That's the judgment, even if it costs you everything in your possession. But once that judgment is fulfilled, hopefully you've learned a lesson and you move on in, you know, renewed behavior according to righteousness. But it is a judgment that is temporary, again, hopefully leading to improved behavior. The destruction that will come upon the nations at the return of Jesus Christ, you know, the armies that gather to fight against him at his return, Revelation 19, what judgment will they receive? Will it be temporary or eternal?

I'll take a little feedback if anybody has any thoughts.

Temporary or eternal upon the nations?

Temporary, right? Because the day is coming that they would be resurrected back to life.

They would have an opportunity to live once again, to know God, and to then face right and eternal judgment. But their destruction will be temporary. The beast and false prophet at the return of Jesus Christ will be thrown into the lake of fire. What do you think that is? Temporary or eternal judgment?

Right, eternal, because they're physical beings and anyone going into the lake of fire, physical flesh, is going to be burned up, ultimately ashes under the feet of the saints.

Okay, it is an eternal permanent judgment. The wages of sin is death, Romans 6, 23. Is that a temporary or eternal judgment? It's eternal, right, if not repented from. The wages of sin is death. It's an eternal judgment. But Jesus Christ came to offer us the ability to be reconciled to God and have that forgiven. Death in the lake of fire is an eternal judgment, and likewise, resurrection of the saints unto eternal life at the return of Jesus Christ is an eternal judgment. And so you have these two categories of temporary judgment and eternal judgment. John talked about if you go to a court of law and the judge makes a judgment regarding perhaps a crime that someone has committed, it's a temporary judgment according to, we would say, temporary in this flesh. But God makes both kinds of judgments.

Additionally, the Bible shows that judgment can be instantaneous, like, you know, bang, pass a verdict, guilty, and here's your sentence, it can be instantaneous, or judgment can be an evaluation process that leads to the rendering of a verdict or a decision. And so this is the type of judgment that Peter is talking about when he says the church is under judgment today. It is an evaluation process that ultimately leads to an eternal judgment or a verdict being rendered by God.

So when we say the church is under judgment today, we are under this evaluation process unto an eternal judgment which will be made by God in the day of judgment. Now, a distinction that separates the church from the rest of the world is that the world, by and large, is not under eternal judgment today. They are under a judgment, okay, and there is consequences, but, you know, God is not holding them at that same level of eternal judgment as He is to those who have come into covenant relationship with Him through baptism. And so they will have their day of eternal judgment, but that is yet in the future, once they have knowledge and understanding of God and have covenant with Him. For those who have entered into the covenant relationship with God today through baptism, the firstfruits, the church of God, we are being eternally judged today.

And it's important we understand that and not to be a frightening issue that scares us, but it should be something that helps us to consider the serious nature of the covenant that we've all entered into.

Now, as has been already said today, the concept of judgment can be good or bad, depending on, I suppose, what the judgment is. For us to consider judgment in terms of the internal sense, for us it can be today very encouraging or it could be frightening, right, depending on the life that we're living before God and the God who knows our hearts. For the church of God, there are essentially two options of eternal judgment that lays before us, and I want to look at both of them briefly, and then we'll consider the things that we're being judged on. So the first option of eternal judgment that's before us, we can find that over in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 50.

1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 50. We know this chapter well. It's a hope-filled chapter.

It's a resurrection chapter. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 50, the apostle Paul writing, he says, Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. He says, Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. There will be some who will be living physically in this flesh at the return of Jesus Christ, and they'll be changed, and those who are in the grave will be changed and resurrected as well. Verse 52, In a moment the twinkling in the eye at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Paul here is speaking to who? The world or the church? Well, he's speaking to the church, isn't he? And he's talking about the faithful saints who have died in the faith and the fact that at the return of Jesus Christ they will receive an eternal judgment unto life. Right? Resurrected to eternal life is the eternal judgment now of what God has evaluated and assessed and made the determination. They will live, and they will be a part of my family forever. This is a good judgment, and what we understand again is judgment isn't necessarily a bad thing. It is a determination.

It's like John again was talking about. We make judgments and evaluations every day. It's not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, but the outcome of a judgment from our perspective could be good or bad, right, depending on if it's for us or against us. Here this group of individuals have been judged faithful, and they rise to meet Christ in the air. Verse 53, For this corruptible must put on incorruption, this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is your sting? O Hades, the grave, where is your victory?

The grave will not have the victory over the faithful people of God. And, brethren, that is so encouraging. This is a faithful and a good judgment that will be received by the people of God who remain steadfast and to the end, and again it is an eternal judgment.

Verse 56, The sting of death is sin, the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. And Paul goes on to instruct us on what ought to be our response to this understanding. Verse 58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. And so we're talking about work, aren't we? And we're talking about labor that is not in vain, effort that is spent not in vain because it receives a positive judgment and an outcome. Again, brethren, this isn't a calling unto, you know, once saved, always saved, and the fact that you cannot possibly miss out. It is a calling unto righteous living, being steadfast and immovable because the day is coming that a judgment will be rendered. And Paul tells us elsewhere, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. This concept of upholding our end of the covenant agreement is about doing the things that God desires to see in us through this evaluation period. We have our part to play, and we understand in response then God is faithful to play His part and respond in according to the covenant as well. Now that said, as I mentioned, there are two options to eternal judgment before the Church of God today. We've looked at the first, resurrection to life. That's a positive judgment. Let's look at the second, Hebrews chapter 10, verse 23.

Hebrews chapter 10 and verse 23 says, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Again, it's the confirmation of the one we've covenanted with is faithful and true to the end.

Verse 24, Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching. I'll just comment, brethren, it's interesting to live in a time where the assembling of ourselves together has been under a challenge. And I understand there's legitimate reasons why we can't all be together. There's health issues, and everybody has to make their determination on that. And I can't speak as a medical doctor. I read reports all week long, and it's kind of hard for me to actually even know where the truth is exactly.

But I have been called to be a teacher of the Word of God, and what God says, not the medical profession, what God says is we're not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

The word church, ekklesia, is assembly. Right? It's called out of this world, called into assembly.

And so I would just say to the best that we are able, again, personal decisions have to be made, but the church needs to be the church, which is an assembly. And again, in Hebrews, it says, don't forsake that assembly as at times occurs, but exhorting one another so much the more as you see the day approaching. And I would say it seems like we see the day approaching so much quicker than it ever has before. And we're going to need one another. And the encouragement and the exhortation that we can offer one another so much the more, not the less, as we see the day approaching.

Verse 26, for if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful expectation of, notice, judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. You know, this might be a little bit of a scary verse, and frankly it should be, because we have to understand what's at stake.

This is the second option of eternal judgment that could fall on those in the Church of God under this covenant relationship who do not remain faithful. It's talking about judgment in the lake of fire, which is real, okay, which will exist for a purpose, but God is merciful.

God knows the heart where we don't, but this is, and that is why He makes the judgment, we don't.

Verse 27, again, a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more punishment do you suppose will be thought worthy of those who trample the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which He was sanctified a common thing and insulted the spirit of grace? This isn't talking about the world, right? It's talking about those who have been sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ, set aside, come under a covenant.

And it reminds us of the significance and the serious nature of the evaluation. Verse 30, it says, for we know Him who says, vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord, and again, the Lord will judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

It is also a wonderful thing, okay, to fall in the hands of the living God. Fearful doesn't have to mean go cower in the corner. It does mean on respect, and that God means what He says. But if we fear God, it can be a very wonderful conclusion. Verse 32, but recall the former days in which you were illuminated, and you endured a great struggle with sufferings, partly while you were made a spectacle, both by reproaches and tribulations, partly while you became the companions of those who were so treated.

For you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an ever enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. It says you knew that there is a great reward set before you, you endured these things. Verse 35, therefore do not cast away your confidence which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

For yet a little while, and he who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him. Verse 39, but we are not of those who draw back to perdition or destruction, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. And so, brethren, coming under the sacrifice of Jesus Christ through baptism, entering into this covenant relationship with God means that we will receive the good judgment of eternal life if we do not turn back.

Again, it's not once saved, always saved, but okay, on the flip side, we can be assured that our salvation is secure. Right? When we've come into covenant, that salvation is secure because God is faithful. And the Bible says, let no man take your crown, let no one take that from you. No one can take your crown unless you allow it to be taken, unless you let go of it yourself.

So, our salvation is secure as long as we remain faithful and do not turn back. Again, the decision is up to us, and I would say this concept of judgment should be what motivates us with the desire to serve God all of our life. We can be assured of that God is a righteous judge, okay? He's a righteous judge, and is why He is qualified to judge the heart when we are not.

But He is a righteous judge. The Bible also says in multiple places that God has committed all judgment to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ as well is a righteous judge. And so what we know is that the judgment we will receive at that day will be righteous and true and faithful according to the life that we have lived in response to God. The judge is true, the judge is faithful, the judge is righteous, and if we are so, we will receive that good judgment as well.

So the question for us, brethren, is how do we feel about, you know, yesterday or last week or last month in view of the judgment we're living under? How do we feel about how we will live our lives moving forward from this point when we consider the judgment and the evaluation that we are under from God? Does it affect us? It's an important question to answer for ourselves.

I believe the answer is it should affect us. Again, it's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but it is a wonderful thing as well, and it should affect the way we live our lives today. The Bible clearly shows us that the church is under judgment both individually and collectively as a body. And so that's another way that judgment breaks down, individually or collectively, or I say, and collectively, and that is what we are under in terms of judgment. We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, but we are part of a body together. And so there's assessment over all that is taking place as well. So what are some of the things that we're being judged on by God specifically? Because if it's that big of a deal, wouldn't it be nice to know what it is that we're being judged on? We can kind of check the boxes off. It's not quite that easy, but it is easy to know what it is that God would have us to order our lives according to and what He is judging on. We could go in a lot of different directions, but the overarching answer is that we're being judged on elements of purity, righteousness, and godliness. Purity, righteousness, and godliness, right? We need to be pure because He is pure. The righteousness of God has been imputed to us.

The character that we're developing is a character of godliness that we might be a part of the family of God. So these are things we're being judged upon. If we've truly become partakers of the divine nature, then those qualities ought to be evident in us because that is now our character, and we're being judged on these things. Let's break it down a little more specifically. Yeah, though, even in that we could make it a study all day long. I won't do that, but let's just take a few points and see specifically how this breaks out in various ways. Matthew chapter 19 and verse 16.

Matthew 19 verse 16. You know, what kind of things are we being judged on as the people of God today?

Matthew chapter 19 and verse 16. Now behold, one came and said to him, said to Jesus Christ, he said, Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? And he said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good but one. That is God. But if you want to enter into life, notice he says, keep the commandments. Right? Keep the commandments. Well, those old commandments, that old law, that's done away with. Some would say. But again, we can go through Scripture after Scripture that disproves that. But the point Christ is making is if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. It is a point of judgment that we are under. Are we doing what God said to do? Are we observing? Are we worshiping? Are we interacting with each other in this flesh how God gave us commandment to do? We are being evaluated and judged on those things.

We already read 1 Peter 4.17 that says we're being judged according to how we obey the gospel of God.

Right? It's, you know, those who the righteous are scarcely saved, where the unjust is going to be.

But the fact is, it said, what will be the end of those who don't obey the gospel?

If we're under judgment. So the point is, we are under an evaluation unto judgment according to how we believe and live the gospel. And wrapped up in the gospel is the commandments of God.

And what it is He's given us to live by. Matthew chapter 28 verse 18.

Matthew 28 verse 18. Here Jesus Christ, once again, following His resurrection with His disciples, says, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Notice verse 20, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.

So the gospel message goes out, and part of that is what Christ had commanded them there to teach others to observe. And of course, what Christ had commanded them was what the Father had given Him to teach and to preach. And it was a reinforcement of what God had commanded, even in the Old Testament. And He says, You go live them and teach others to do so, and lo, I'm with you always, even to the end of the age. And so the Word of God, the commandments of God, this package we've been given, we are being assessed on how we live these things.

An evaluation unto judgment is being made. Matthew 5 verse 17.

Matthew chapter 5 and verse 17. Jesus says, Do not think that I came to destroy the law or prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For surely I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot nor tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Therefore, whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. You know, it doesn't mean that if you break these and you teach others to break them, you're going to have the least position in the kingdom. That's not what it's saying. It's saying that of those who are in the kingdom, you're going to be called the least of individuals because you broke these and you taught people to break them. All right? But he who does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Verse 20, For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. So again, we're talking about points of righteousness, points of becoming as God and Christ are in our character and obedience to what it is that God has given us in commandment. This is what we're being judged on. Verse 21, You have heard that it was said, To those of old you shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. You know, he's taking it to the next level that this isn't just the technical letter of the law. This is what is in our heart. And the God who evaluates the heart and knows the heart will make a judgment on those things. And whoever says to his brother, Rock us, shall be in danger of the counsel. But whoever says, You fool, you know, you morose, as a Greek word is, individual, you worthless individual, one who who is not even worth the skin they're covered with, who does not have potential, that's essentially what that condemnation is, you say, you fool, you shall be in danger of hellfire. And the point is to hate your brother and your heart is murder. And God who assesses these things knows the heart, and you are in danger, Christ says, of eternal judgment in hellfire by what it is even that you hold in your heart. A judgment will be made. And it's rather a sobering thing. It should keep us in check. Verse 23, therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there, remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, go your way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. You know, this isn't just a nice recommendation.

That would be a good thing. It's a point of evaluation unto judgment as to whether we do these things or not. How are we resolving the issues that exist between us as brethren in the Church of God? It's a point of judgment.

Matthew 6, 14, and 15 will just remind you. It says, if you forgive men, their trespasses, okay, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But there's a but clause, right? But if you do not forgive men, their trespasses. Neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And if we're not forgiven, we're in our sins, and the judgment is not favorable. Right? Again, it's eternal fire.

It's destruction. It's an eternal judgment. Another point of evaluation that's significant.

Matthew 5, verse 27, it says, you've heard it said, to those of old, you shall not commit adultery.

But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. You know, this applies also to fornication, not just adultery, what it is that's going on in the mind and the heart. But Christ says this is something that is significant.

Brethren, the internet in our day and age has been, has led to the explosion of easy accessibility to lust. Right? And it's not just how a man looks at a woman, it's also how a woman looks at a man. These things go both ways. But the fact is, pornography is the driving force behind the explosion of the internet in many ways, and it has trapped hundreds of millions of people in its grasp. This week I was reading survey statistics, mostly from Barna Group, and I think it was the Covenant Group, statistics on pornography, not just in the world, but in the church. And they were staggering. And we're talking the world's church, and we would like to think that the church of God is immune and the statistics are different. But I would say it is a travesty of what has taken place in marriages and in families within the circle of professing Christianity.

And the overwhelming majority of pastors have said that pornography has been the biggest single disruption to families in their churches. It's, if I recall correctly, was like 60% of divorces that take place, not just in churches but in the world, has a factoring cause of pornography addiction as something that is a contributor.

I believe it was something like 60% of pastors view pornography on a regular basis. So this isn't just a apart from the way of God issue, all right? This is something that is an issue in churches of this world. I say in the church of God as well, it is a judgment issue unto salvation. Is that serious?

Is that serious? Because Jesus Christ said, again, looking at a woman to lust after her is adultery, the reverse is true. 1 Corinthians 6, 9, and 10 says that fornicators and adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God. It's that big of an issue. It's that big of a judgment because, go back, read the Old Testament, how did God feel about the adultery, as he called it, of his people Israel? It destroyed their relationship with him. And, brethren, it is an evaluation that we must make in our life, that God is making, and a judgment one day will be made.

Verse 29, continuing on, Christ said, now this is the solution, okay? If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, cast it from you, for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Whatever it takes to get rid of whatever the issue is, do it. Throw the computer in the trash, cut the internet cord, whatever it takes, all right? Better than your whole body being cast into hell, that is, gehenna, lake of fire, eternal judgment. Verse 30, and if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you, for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Again, hellfire, judgment, it is an eternal judgment as it would pertain to the church of God. So these things are serious issues. God is evaluating, so we should be evaluating our lives as well, seeking to come into conformity with what God is looking as the standard of his family.

Another issue we're being judged upon, Matthew 18, verse 6.

Matthew 18, verse 6. And again, brother, I'm not trying to make this a heavy downer sermon. The point is judgment leading to life is what we are after, and it is that serious of an issue, and we want to rejoice in being there together as we rise to meet Christ in the air. Matthew 18, verse 6. It says, But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses, for offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes. Verse 8, if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you, it is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you, it is better for you to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Again, Gehenna. The valley of Hennam was the garbage pit outside of Jerusalem where they threw the garbage and it was this creeping, crawling fire that just always burned. It was consuming garbage. Garbage was thrown there. Dead animals were thrown there.

Sometimes human bodies were thrown there, but what point was it was consumed until the fuel was gone and then the ashes remained. It was the valley of Hennam. Hence, Gehenna fire is what will destroy that which is thrown into it at the end of the age.

He who causes a little one to stumble, again, were being judged on those things.

Another point, Matthew chapter 12.

Give me just a moment, maybe make sure I didn't jump into the wrong place.

Okay, let's go there. Matthew chapter 12. Another point of judgment, verse 34.

While you're going there, I might just remind you that 1 Corinthians 11, 31 says, if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

Right? John talked about making judgments, make evaluations on two decisions, and if we would judge ourselves and correct what it is we need to correct, it would not be judged in terms of condemnation. And it's an important process for us to be learning to evaluate and to judge ourselves.

Matthew chapter 12, verse 34. Another point of evaluation.

The church of God today is being judged on the words that we speak.

Does that make you nervous? I gotta say, it makes me a little nervous. Have I ever said any idle things that I would rather not be drawn out into the light of judgment? I have.

Hopefully, I've repented of those things as I've seen what they are. I'm hoping I'm getting better on those things. These are all points of improvement for us all. But again, by your words, you will be judged, either justified, a good judgment, eternal life, or condemned. And our words are that big of a deal to God. Matthew 18, we've been there, so I won't go there again. Again, it's woe to that man by whom the offense comes. Let us be careful not to be people who cause offense. The Bible says, don't be easily offended. It also says, don't cause offense. And if we're doing both parts, hopefully we can smooth over those things that may take place. But so much of this evaluation in our lives has to do with relationships, doesn't it? It has to do with the two great commandments, which encompass the ten. Love towards God, love towards neighbor. We're being assessed for how we're living those things. We have to ask ourselves daily, how are we doing? If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. John 13, verse 34. John 13, verse 34. Jesus says, a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you're my disciples if you have loved one for another. We're being judged on our commandment keeping, right? Love towards God, love towards neighbor. And this one is huge because it shines a spotlight to the world of who are the people of God and who are the disciples of Jesus Christ. As the church of God today, we're being judged on our love for one another. We're being judged on our unity, on our ability to resolve issues, and to work through these things together as one body. And again, just like idle words, I have to admit that there's a degree of this that frightens me. Because if I look back over a number of decades in the church of God, it's littered with repeated failures on this point. But if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. If we can do the things that God would have us do, and I would just say, brethren, we must do better. If we evaluate and find somewhere we're falling short, seek to do better. We can't fix the past, but we can change ourselves for the future and seek to do what God has given us to do in a way that leads to a favorable judgment. The judge, as James said, is standing at the door, and judgment will be made.

1 John summarizes what we must be doing then to receive the favorable judgment at the return of Jesus Christ. 1 John chapter 2, as we begin to wind down, 1 John chapter 2 and verse 28.

1 John 2, 28, John says, And now little children abide in him, that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. You know, the simple answer in this process is to abide in Christ. Christ said, I'm the vine, you're the branches, abide in me. And of course, God is the master of vine tender, and he knows specifically how to care and prune for the vine.

But Christ said to abide in me, and John says that, uh, abide in him, that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. As the church of God, we're being judged today on our love for one another. We're being judged on our just ability to follow God's way, to live it, to demonstrate it, and it's evaluation process. We don't want to be ashamed at his coming because the judgment was not according to what brings joy.

Verse 29, though, he says, but if you, excuse me, verse 29, if you know that he is righteous, okay, and that's what we seek, right? Judgment from a righteous judge, that's not just what we seek is what we depend on. You know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of him, and this is to be, again, what you and I are doing. As purveyors of the righteousness, we show that righteousness, we teach the ways of righteousness, that's evidence of God in us.

Chapter 3, verse 1, behold what manner of love the fathers bestowed on us that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know us because it did not know him. Beloved, now we are children of God and has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when he is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. We'll be of the same form and the same likeness if we've received the profitable and positive judgment. Verse 3, and everyone who has this hope in him, notice, purifies himself, just to see is pure. So, brethren, this life we've been called to live is a life of purification. It's a life of continually putting out the old ways, the ways of the old man and walking in newness of life, making no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust. God has called us into a covenant relationship with him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and he has set two options here before us, and everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself as he is pure.

In reality of that, as we understand the assessment that has taken place, brethren, the question becomes, what manner of person ought we to be? Let's conclude in 2 Peter 3, verse 7, as we consider that question. 2 Peter 3, verse 7, what manner of people ought we to be?

2 Peter 3, verse 7, says, but the heavens and the earth, which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire, notice, until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Says there's coming a day when there will be a judgment unto perdition, which is destruction of ungodly men. It's the lake of fire at the end of the age, and it's not talking about those who didn't know God or understand what he was offering. It's talking about people who had an opportunity to enter into covenant and with understanding either said, no thank you, or they entered in and then turned back. But it says the heavens and earth are reserved for fire until that day of judgment. So we get a time frame. We're talking about here verse 8, but beloved do not forget this one thing that with the Lord one day as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. We think God is delaying and it's only been a day. Well, maybe God's doing things in his perfect timing. In fact, he is. Verse 9, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some count slackness, but is long suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He is a merciful God who is giving fair opportunity to all whom he calls. Verse 10, but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise. The elements will melt with fervent heat. Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? This is the point. Holy conduct and godliness.

When we understand what lies ahead of us in terms of an eternal judgment that leads to life or destruction, what manner of person ought we to be? And why would we not want to live with our whole being according to holy conduct and godliness? Verse 12, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. When will that be? Again, verse 7 says, the world and heavens are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. So we understand the time frame then of the new heavens and the new earth. Verse 13, nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. It's a point where ungodliness is dismissed and it's removed and destroyed and righteousness dwells. And under the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells, Satan isn't going to be released to deceive the nations. And the nations aren't going to come up as the sand of the sea in rebellion against God.

We understand these things are reserved in fire until the day of judgment, and then the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells will be the promise that God has set before us. Verse 14, therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by him. Notice how will we're going to be assessed by? Be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And consider that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation. God's patience is saving grace. It is our salvation by which he gives us time to resolve issues in our life, to grow, become the manner of man that his son Jesus Christ was in our service to him. Brethren, the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. And it means that you and I are living under a time of evaluation by God today, both individually and collectively as a body. And when that time of evaluation is over, either with our physical death or at the return of Jesus Christ, okay, a judgment will be made, and it will be an eternal judgment. In light of that fact, let us be diligent to be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And if that is the final assessment at the return of Jesus Christ, and that is what our Father sees in us, then indeed the reward will be great, and we can have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Brethren, the choice is up to us.