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By James Quansah, Pastor
THERE SHALL be surprises on the day we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ Jesus. It is written, “When the Son of Man (Jesus) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne”.
Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25: 31- 34, 41).
On that day many Christians will lose their seats and crowns for their disobedience. The power to reward and punish will not reside in Pastors but in the One who sits on the Judgment Seat, Christ Jesus.
For this reason, we should not just be glad that we are in churches. Many Christians have been deceived into thinking that their salvation is assured just because they are members of mega churches led by ‘big pastors’.
Get it right! You can be in a church and go to hell. However, you are safe if truly you are IN CHRIST AND WALK AFTER THE SPIRIT (Romans 8: 1). Understand that people are Christians not because they are in a church but because they are in Christ. To be in Christ means you are sincerely born again, led by the Spirit of God, obey God’s commands, practise righteousness and actively participate in the ministry of Christ.
Many Christians will be shocked on the Judgment Day about the number of people who will be rejected. Our Lord says, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory…he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered nations…and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. And these will go away into eternal punishment but the RIGHTEOUS INTO ETERNAL LIFE” (Matthew 25: 31- 46).
But the Bible says judgment will begin in the house of God. I believe apostles, prophets, bishops/pastors, evangelists and teachers will be judged first. It is a lie for a man of God to tell his church members that once saved, always saved. This is a demonic teaching. When you say you believe in the name of Jesus Christ, it does not mean you are automatically saved and that you will not be judged. Everyone will be judged; our works will be tested by fire.
“For it is time for JUDGMENT TO BEGIN AT THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if THE RIGHTEOUS IS SCARCELY SAVED, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? (1 Peter 4: 17- 18).
Peter, the apostle, says judgment will begin with the church and that it will be scarcely (very difficult) for even the righteous Christian to be saved. This is why perhaps Paul saw the need to press toward the goal of perfection, holiness or right standing with God.
He aimed at growing up spiritually to conform to the image of Jesus Christ – our Example. He knew that one can be a pastor and yet go to hell so he learnt to control his bodily desires.
Read what he wrote: “…I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor. 9: 27).
We, therefore, must learn to hear the voice of God, obey His Word and yield to the leadings of the Holy Spirit. We must break sin’s power over our lives and live a life of holiness, righteousness, purity, love and humility. And we must learn to do the will of God as stated in the Bible.
James Quansah is the Executive Director of Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre (CLC) and lead Pastor of End-Time Christ’s Commissioners (ECC), Kumasi, Ghana. James is also a journalist by profession. He is married with four children.
