1. Jesus JUDGES according to our WORKS
How will God judge us on Judgement Day? Scripture says Christ Jesus as God will be the most righteous Judge, and Jesus judges us by our works. In Matthew 16:26-27 Jesus said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Life here is for a short time, then our soul faces eternity in Hell or Heaven. There is no advantage in gaining all the riches, power, and glory of this world to then lose eternal life in Heaven. What we do—our works of obeying or disobeying God—determines where we end up for eternity.
Our works prove whether we truly are children of God or children of the Devil. 1 John 3:8,10 says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. …In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." A child of God obeys the commandments of Jesus to do what is righteous, to do what is just; and they love their spiritual brethren in Christ. Children of the devil rebel against God’s commandments to do filthy, unjust work; they will follow in Lucifer’s steps to be cast in the Lake of fire. Revelation 20:10 says, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." In Revelation 21:7-8 resurrected Christ Jesus said, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…" Those who continue in sin do the work of the Devil, and they will follow their Satanic Father to the Lake of Fire. Those who overcome the sinful lust of the flesh, world and devil, are true sons of God who will inherit their Heavenly Father’s kingdom.
God desires to have children who are like Him in righteousness and holiness. So, He calls all people to repent of sin, be born of the spirit, and walk in obedience to Him. Those who obey may grow from a newborn spiritual babe to become an immature child of God to become a mature son of God. The proof of our spiritual growth or stature is in what we do—those who grow to be chosen as sons of God do righteous, holy works that show they are like their Father God in righteousness and holiness. All of God’s people will not receive the same level of glory in Heaven. Jesus said He will come to Judge every person according to his works. In Matthew 16:26-27 He said, "…what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." To be rewarded ‘according to’ means we will be rewarded in proportion; so, we will be rewarded in proportion to our obedience or disobedience. Heaven is a wonderful place of joy and glory for God’s obedient people, and Hell is a terrible place of torment and suffering for rebellious, disobedient people. But it is NOT a simple system, where all of Heaven is the same and all of Hell is the same. Within Heaven and within Hell there are different levels of joy or torment. Jesus will judge righteously and reward you according to how persistently you obeyed or disobeyed God, as was evident by your deeds in this present world.
2. Christ Jesus makes RIGHTEOUS Judgement
Lying pastors preach an unrighteous God who takes sinning churchgoers to Heaven as long as they declare and believe Jesus died for their sin. This deception portrays God as a biased, unjust Judge who rewards religious Christians with Heaven even as they continue in doing evil deeds. But Scripture tells us God is righteous, and Christ Jesus will make righteous judgements. Revelation 16:5, 7 says, "And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be… Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments." Revelation 19:1-2 says, "I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments…" Righteousness is a defining trait of God of the Bible—it means He is perfectly just and fair. Scripture particularly emphasizes God will be righteous in His judgments. He has no special favoritism towards people who simply claim and believe wonderful things about Him. God is Creator of all people, and He will judge all people according to their works. Revelations 20:12-13 says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; … and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
The Bible repeatedly says Christ Jesus’s righteous judgement will be according to what we have done whether good or evil. Romans 2:5-11 says, "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God." Two key points in this passage explain God’s righteous judgment. First, He judges every person according to their deeds. Whether Jew or Gentile, Christian or non-Christian—every person will be given what they deserve according to whether they did good or evil. God is not biased to be a respecter of persons. Second, God judges according to what you do from your heart, so, your inner intention matters. Is your heart seeking to obey God, or is it seeking to gain the praise of people? Is your intent to do what is righteous and just, or is it to gain personal worldly benefit?
Hypocrites desire the respect of people; so, they put on outward shows of doing religious work by following church tradition, ceremony and ritual. The world admires them but God will reject them. Christ Jesus judges according to our works, but religious work will not take anyone to Heaven. Pharisees were zealous religious people who were perfect in tithing, fasting, making long prayers in public, and so on. But Jesus did not give them a place in Heaven because, despite their outward show, their inner intentions were impure. In Luke 11:39-40 Jesus said, "Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?" So, in Matthew 5:20 Jesus said, "That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." If you follow in the path of hypocritical church leaders to do religious ceremony and work, you will not enter Heaven. God gives glory, honor and eternal life to those who persist in obeying Him from a humble heart with pure intentions. God gives torment and anguish to those who harden their heart and continue disobeying His commandments.
3. Much is GIVEN, Much is REQUIRED
There is no entry into Heaven for knowing God’s word without obeying His word. Christians will not slip into Heaven for believing Christ is the real God, or for accepting the Bible is God’s true Word. God’s principle is those who know more truth but do not obey it, will receive greater punishment. Disobedient Christian leaders may get the most severe punishment, because God’s righteous standard is much is given much is required. Jesus explains this in the parable where a servant neglects his responsibility of caring for the household while the lord is away. In Luke 12:45-46 Jesus said, "But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." God’s obedient true servant will nurture the souls of God’s people by teaching them to grow in righteousness and holiness. The servant in this parable abuses the household; so also, in present times many preachers take advantage of people by feeding them deception and plundering their money. God will deal with rebellious preachers just as the lord dealt with the disobedient servant, they will be cut off to be punished with unbelievers.
After getting caught in scandals of money fraud, sexual immorality, and other filthy sin, deceiving pastors claim God’s enduring mercy will be on them, but let us see what Jesus said. Luke 12:47-48, "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Here we see there will be different levels of punishment for those damned to Hell. The servant who knew God’s will but did not obey it, will receive greater punishment. Much is given, much is required. Please notice the servant who pled ignorance did not get off the hook, they are still punished but with less severity. We are responsible for seeking the truth to know it and obey it. Scripture describes different types of torment for the disobedient: "furnace of fire…wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:42) "outer darkness, weeping" (Matthew 22:13) "..the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not,…cast into hell fire: … shall be salted with fire" (Mark 9:43-49), "everlasting chains under darkness" (Jude 1:6), "Bottomless pit" (Revelations 9:2). Hell bound disobedient souls suffer non-stop everlasting misery, but every soul will not receive the same level of suffering. Some will be beaten with few stripes, and some beaten with many stripes—God punishes in proportion to their disobedience. Those who committed lesser evil may be cast in outer darkness or the bottomless pit. Those who did greater evil may be salted with intense fire, or tormented with a combination of these agonizing elements. God will righteously give to every person according to their deeds.
4. GLORY according to Our WORKS
For those who obey God, Heaven has different levels of glory and joy. 1 Corinthians 15:41-42 says, "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also, is the resurrection of the dead." This verse notes 3 levels of heavenly glory for God’s resurrected obedient people. The glory, brilliance, intensity of the sun compared to the moon compared to distant stars is massively different. So also, there is a huge magnitude of difference in the wonders and pleasures of different levels of Heaven. Christ Jesus will reward His people in proportion to their persistence in obeying His commandments and teachings, as evident by their works or fruits.
The parable of the sower shows God takes account of how diligently our heart receives and obeys His Word. In Luke 8:13, 15 Jesus said, "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God… that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." Hearing God’s Word or even understanding it is useless if we do not bear fruit in our life by obeying the Word from a good, honest heart. In Matthew 13:23 Jesus says, "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." To enter Heaven, we must be doers of the Word, however, Jesus recognized each person will not keep His teachings with the same patience, perseverance, and fruitfulness—some bear 30-fold, some 60-fold, some 100-fold. Jesus notes 3 levels of fruitfulness. So also, in proportion to their fruit (or according to their work), they will be rewarded with different levels of heavenly glory.
5. CHILD of God does Righteous work
The fruit Christ desires is fruit of the holy spirit. To bear such fruit we must repent of sin, be born of the holy spirit, and walk in the spirit to do all goodness, righteousness and truth. Ephesians 5:5-9 says, "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)." Apostle Paul warns born again believers to not be deceived as God’s wrath falls on disobedient people who continue in sin such as whoremongering (or sexual immorality), covetousness (or desiring the belongings of others), idolatry (or worshipping that which is not god and excess partying). He says believers ‘were’—past tense—they were in darkness doing such filthy sinful works of the flesh. But after being born of spirit they should not remain as babies, rather, they ought to walk as children of light who follow the holy spirit’s guidance to obey Jesus’s commandments.
When newly born again, we are mere spiritual babies—a newborn baby is too weak to do any significant work. To grow in strength, a spiritual baby must put away sinful ways, and begin drinking the milk of obeying God’s word. 1 Peter 2:1-2 says, "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby…" Born again believers who drink this milk are cleaning themselves with the water of God’s word to live righteous, and that is how they grow to become children of God. Ephesians 5:25-26 says, "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word…" Children of God will do righteous works—they do not do evil or harm to others, they sincerely take care of their duties at work and home, and as able they help God’s poor people. To gain eternal life, we must obey Jesus’s commandments to become a child of God who does righteous works. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:41,46, "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels…these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." And in Matthew 19:17 Jesus said, "…if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments…"
6. SON of God does Holy, Righteous work
A child can do more than a newborn baby, but a mature adult son can do far more work than an immature child. The will of God is not to remain as a child of God, rather it is to grow into a strong son of God who lives as holy and righteous as God the Father is holy and righteous. Sons of God have put to death the sinful deeds of the flesh. Romans 8:13-14 says, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Living without sin cannot be accomplished by our own willpower or strength, but it can be done with the power God gives. John 1:12-13 says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." To those who believe and receive Christ Jesus as Lord of their life, God gives power to put to death the sinful lust of flesh and world. Those who use this power to purify their soul by obeying the truth through the spirit, they become sons of God. The will of God is to grow into sinless, blameless sons of God. Philippians 2:15-16 says, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life…"
7. BRIDE of Christ does Holy, Righteous work & will SACRIFICE all
A mature son of God can do more than a child of God, but a devoted bride of Christ will do even more than a son of God—she is faithful to the point of sacrificing all to follow Jesus, even her very life. Only those who already live perfectly holy and righteous may receive this personal high calling that involves great cost to receive the great glory in heaven. In Philippians 3:14-15 Apostle Paul says, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." God reveals the high calling to become bride of Christ only to perfectly blameless sons of God. These select few may then choose to go for the high calling to live as pure as Jesus himself lived. 1 John 3:2-3 says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
Jesus was so pure that he had no sin, not even guile. He lived solely for God’s glory even at the cost of personal suffering. 1 Peter 2:22-23 says, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously…" The Bride of Christ sacrifices greatly in obeying God for the sake of the gospel or Jesus’s name, and they will receive the 100-fold reward that is the greatest level of heavenly glory. In Matthew 19:29-30 Jesus said, "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." The bride of Christ lives solely for God’s glory, and will endure great persecution or even bloodshed to be martyred for Christ. We noted 3 levels of fruitfulness rewarded with 3 levels of heavenly glory. The bride of Christ follows the life of Jesus to be 100-fold fruitful, and accordingly receives the highest level of glory.
8. SERVANT of God may receive More Reward
Jesus will be the most righteous judge, so, every soul receives according to what they did. The person who bore 30-fold fruit cannot reap the same reward of someone who bore 100-fold fruit. A righteous believer who just obeys the basic commandments required for eternal life, will not receive the same level of heavenly glory as Apostle Paul who obediently followed Lord Jesus to the extent of suffering beatings, being imprisoned and stoned. God’s true servants who endure persecution for the sake of doing ministry work will receive more reward in Heaven than a believer who obeys the basic level of righteousness. In Matthew 5:11-12 Jesus said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
While a persecuted, true servant of God will receive great reward, please notice there is no entry into Heaven for those who claim to do God’s ministry work while continuing in sin themselves. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus said, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Miracles and wonders are God’s work. Works of obeying or disobeying Jesus’s commandments and teaching are our works. We will be rewarded for OUR works. Christ Jesus will reject those who claimed to do God’s ministry work while continuing in doing work of sin and iniquity.
9. Righteousness REQUIRED for Heaven; REWARD according to WORKS
Only the righteous will be permitted to enter and live in Heaven. 2 Peter 3:13-14 says, "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." Righteousness is required to get into Heaven. Recognizing that God’s desire is to have sons of God who are as righteous and holy as He is righteous and holy, Apostle Peter exhorts believers to diligently cleanse themselves of all sin. He urges them to look for the everlasting glory of Heaven. Every wonderful thing of this world will be destroyed, and there will be no memory of it. Isaiah 65:17 says, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Although there will be no trace or memory of our life’s worldly accomplishments, our works of obeying or disobeying God determine our soul’s placement in Heaven or the Lake of Fire for eternity.
Christ Jesus will judge where we belong according to our works—whether they were unjust or righteous, whether they were filthy or holy. In Revelation 22:11-13 resurrected Christ Jesus as God said, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I [Jesus] come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." All people will receive what they deserve according to what they did. God’s obedient people will be rewarded with heavenly glory in proportion to their works or fruits. Scripture notes 3 levels of fruitfulness, 3 levels of glory, and so also, 3 main designations within Heaven—New Earth, New Heaven and New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:1-2 says, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Our fruitfulness in righteousness and holiness is God’s criteria for placing us in New Earth, New Heaven, or New Jerusalem. Within these main levels, a true servant of God may receive additional reward for doing ministry work. But for all entry to live in Heaven, righteousness is a must.
10. SOW to Spirit, PROVE own Work, REAP for Eternity
Do not be deceived to think your standing with God is according to what you believe or claim. Christ Jesus will judge you according to your works—whether you did unjust or righteous deeds, whether you did filthy or holy deeds. You must prove it by your own works. You will reap what you sow. If you sow to the flesh, you will reap momentary worldly glory which corrupts, falls apart, and will not even be remembered. If you sow to the spirit, you will reap everlasting heavenly glory. Galatians 6:3-4,7-9 says, "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work…Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." We may deceive ourselves or even others, but we cannot deceive God. What we do in obeying or disobeying God determines where we end up for eternity. Christ Jesus will reward every person according to their works. So, persist in obeying Him. Those who most diligently obey Him will receive the greatest shining glory, joy, pleasure, and presence of God. May God bless you.