Judgment for Christians

I've thought about doing a post on this subject for awhile. However, I knew I would risk some negative feedback as to my idea of what judgment for Christians will be, or rather, not be. I'm now ready to take that risk and put into words what I've been thinking through for quite some time now. I don't generally dig into doctrinal issues but this is something that's been on my mind for far too long. I'm aware that I may still be wrong. I can't push aside that possibility, but I would rather err on this side then the one I've been on for so long.

Over the past years, I've adopted a really dreadful idea of judgment. I can't point exactly to where it comes from because it certainly has come from a variety of sources. I also know that I'm not the only one with the wrong conception because I've heard other Christians speak of it the same way.

I had this idea that when I died, I would come before God and be judged for everything I had ever done. I would have to hang my head in shame and weep as every wicked thought and deed was exposed for all to know. Instead of being excited for Christ's return, it's something that I've actually often really feared, simply because of this dreadful judgment. And after all that scum and muck is revealed, I probably wouldn't even want to enter into heaven. That sounds pretty bad, doesn't it?

Now, I'm sure many people have scripture to back their idea of what judgment will be for Christians, but after thinking, studying and really grieving over this matter for awhile, I've come to the conclusion that the above idea is false. If the above idea were to be true, then Christ died in vain and I'm not really forgiven. If that's true, then all of what we believe about salvation and what Christ accomplished on the cross is just one big falsehood. We have been offered nothing more than a temporary or false pardoning only to give us the assurance of eternal life.

Why is that? Because God says so many times in His Word that our sins are forgiven, He doesn't remember them, they are as far as the east if from the west, cast to the bottom of the ocean, washed away, blotted out. If the above idea of judgment for Christians is true, then all these statements in the Bible must not be true.

Think of it this way. Say somebody has wronged or offended you. They have humbly asked for your forgiveness which you have graciously extended to them and you move on with life. At the end of his life though, you sit down across from him and say "Now let's get this straight!" at which point you begin to list off all his offenses and wrongdoings after which you say "Go in peace!"

No, no, no! That would be absolutely absurd! You don't forgive somebody and then one day pull out a huge long list of all their sins! That's why I must conclude that according to scripture and my idea of who God is and what He has done, and even just plain reason, I will not have to shamefully stand before Him one day as everything is exposed for all to see.

Now, in that I'm not saying that coming before God is any small thing. I think we may just fall down on our faces in reverence, awe, and fear of our God, Creator, Lord, Saviour and King. I don't know exactly what will happen when we come before throne of God, but I want to be able to approach in joy, not in dreadful fear. I don't want to dread the return of Christ, but rather rejoice in it. I don't want to go before Him as a judge, but as my Redeemer and Friend.

The truth is, we're going to a wedding, the marriage supper of the Lamb and Jesus Christ is eagerly awaiting the day when the Father tells Him to go and collect His bride. And I can say I'm looking forward to the day when I can see the face of God!