Salvation and Judgment!

Salvation and Judgment!

 

Matthew 7:13-14 – narrow gate                    Matthew 7:15-20 – fruit

Matthew 7:21-23 – lawless                            Matthew 7:24-27 – foundation

Matthew 25:1-13 – 10 virgins                                    Matthew 25:14-30 – ruler and his subjects

Matthew 25:31-46 – doers and non-doers     Luke 12:1-12 – fear GOD

Luke 12:13-21 – rich man                               Luke 12:35-48 – masters and servants

Luke 12:49-59 – fire not peace                       John 3:14-21 – salvation or damnation

 

Above are some familiar scriptures and out of them have come many positive teachings and a few teachings on GOD’s judgment. All of them are about the Gospel – the Good News that JESUS CHRIST was crucified and is risen – Salvation! But, in everyone of JESUS’ teachings eternal judgment is juxtaposed with salvation. Salvation and judgment go hand in hand because every person will receive one or the other!

 

JESUS is the Good News – salvation! But, He always taught the result of disobedience – lawlessness and pride! If there is no judgment for evil there is no salvation from evil!

 

The late 20^th and the 21^st Century Church have mostly lost the message of GOD’s judgment on those who reject His salvation. We proclaim the love and mercy of GOD and denounce the hellfire and brimstone preachers who proclaim the judgment of GOD on those who reject His Son.

 

The message of GOD’s Eternal Kingdom has been watered down to, GOD loves you and wants to bless you if you will believe. Actually the message of GOD’s Eternal Kingdom is, “Repent for The Kingdom of GOD is here!” Why are we called to repent?

 

Are we called to repent so that we do not spend eternity in hell being tormented? No! We are called to repent so that our relationship with GOD that Adam and Eve had before their fall can be restored.

 

I did some street evangelism as a young Christian and I did not like it. So over a period of time I became critical of those street corner evangelists who shouted at people that they were going to hell if they did not repent. Yet it is a fact that many more people have been saved by the message of GOD’s judgment than by His goodness and kindness.

 

We cannot proclaim The Good News if people do not understand that there is bad news! Eternity is either Heaven or hell!