Some people enjoy announcing rules for conduct and then judge others based on their own convictions or understanding of how one must act. With this judgment, fellow humans walk around noticing all the sinful doings of others and say, “If you don’t quit doing ‘this or that’ then you’re going to hell.” Perhaps the majority of us would not audibly say such a derogatory statement but, even entertaining the thought is diminishing to one’s faith.
As living creatures still breathing and continuing this thing called “life”, we have yet to experience death. Sure, there are many near death stories but once the lights are out and our spirit has reached its eternal destination then there is no coming back. We have absolutely zero awareness of what goes on with a person’s essence the moments leading up to their final breath. God is always fighting for us. It is not desired that any soul be condemned to the Lake of Fire. He tells us in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness “. –NKJV. Our repentance of sins and accepting Jesus as our Savior is what protects us from eternal damnation.
Read the story of Jesus’s crucifixion and the two criminals (Luke 23: 32-43). Here, I’ll supply you with a few verses (39-42):
“One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
-NKJV
This rightly persecuted criminal, in his last moments, truly recognized the Son of God as his Savior. Jesus was there in the flesh telling the sinner he would be with Him in Paradise. Despite the fact that we don’t have Jesus Christ currently roaming the world in His own flesh, we do have Him in spirit and He dwells within us; we are His flesh. How beautiful! So remember, regardless of circumstances and the history you’re made privy concerning others, we will never know what is said between a person’s spirit and our Redeemer during the final seconds of life. The Lord may be whispering, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Now challenge yourself: strip away the judgments you hold over others and replace them with prayers. Praying for those around you makes an impact in their life as well as your own. Don’t pass up this opportunity for spiritual growth.
–Robin Miley -12/18/14
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