How Will We Give an Account Before God?

Christians are already forgiven by Jesus. Why does the Bible say they were going to give an account before God.

That is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. You can also post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can watch us live on YouTube and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com. Today let's go to Armando in Modesto, California Armando, welcome to core Christianity is about showing that I just wanted out. The question according to Malachi 310, you know, the people of Israel supports to get the Titan and operate in on my question is that every believer now in Jesus to do the same, or if they don't, is it a spin. Armando, thank you brother for that question on that passage in Malachi chapter 3 people to bring the tide to the storehouse. This is this is I think, in particular, something that was associated with the old covenant and sustaining the priesthood.

You do see the idea of tithing and other places.

I mean, Abraham, for example tithes to Melchizedek that was prior to the giving of some of these these priestly regulations. So this this idea of giving 1/10 you find throughout the Scriptures and the question is that something is binding for New Testament believers and my position on this is is well no I don't think that nothing that the tide is binding for New Testament believers in the same with it was for the people under the old covenant we couldn't do it in the in the same with that they were they were tithing to the temple that that temple system has been done away with. Now that were under the new covenant.

And yet at the same time Armando out, I would.

I would say we should as believers be cultivating a heart of generosity and and giving to our churches to the churches that that were in that were members in for the continued advancement of the gospel. Jesus made it absolutely clear and that what where your treasure is, that's where your heart will be also. One of the ways we align our hearts as followers of Jesus with his purposes in the world is by giving to the work of missions giving to the work of the local church. The passage that I frequently go to win when thinking about giving under the new covenant is what Paul says in second Corinthians chapter 9 and I listen to what he said there beginning in verse six. The point is this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times. You may abound in every good work.

As it is written, he has distributed freely. He has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. He will supply seed to the sower and bread for food will supply the multiple supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness and what a beautiful encouragement there of the Lord loves a cheerful giver and we ought to give generously of our resources to the work of the gospel to the work of the local church and so I would say we can as Christians be sinfully stingy under the new covenant we can be greedy and I think that's one of the primary idols that that we see around us in Western society is greed. This love of money. This being unwilling to part with our resources and it seems like Jesus himself had no problem talking about money and possessions again where your treasure is, that's where your heart will be also. He told the parable of the rich fool and also that the wise poor widow who gave her last. Might that did the temple if you will. Jesus talked about these things because he knew that the way we think about money and resources often reflect something about how we think about God's kingdom.

And so I would encourage and I do encourage all believers to as recipients of the grace of God and having having received the generosity of the Lord to let that encourage them to give generously to give generously to their local church that might look like a typo think that that a tie. This is a good thing is even a good start. I know their people give even more than that to the work of the local church. Each has to give is he's decided in his own heart. As Paul says there in second Corinthians 9 and as we do that will blast it really is a blessing to be able to participate in the advancement of the gospel through the giving of our resources and you see that over and over again in the New Testament, and so I would. I was a man we want to cultivate that heart of generosity as believers and give to the work of the gospel. Thank you brother for for your question in order how would you respond to those Christian cults that almost that that make giving a necessity almost saying that your your salvation is dependent on giving a tithe. Yeah, that's what felt like buying your way into heaven, you know, head IIII don't like that I had a friend who I was sharing the gospel with for for several years who was Mormon in we would kinda go back and forth on this because he would talk about you to the Mormon church would know they want to know if you're if you're at the temple, Mormon or whatever they call you know that your giving and they'll don't know. Keep track of you. How much are getting whether or not you're really getting a tide that kind of thing that makes me uncomfortable. I think that there's a serious problem with that. We don't give under compulsion again. Paul said that very clearly in sync with these nine we give freely as those who have received freely the grace of God we give with joy, knowing that the Lord loves a cheerful giver.

And so it's that joyful giving that we want to cultivate in the body of Christ in our own hearts. I meant this is core Christianity with pastor Averill Sanchez. If you have a question.

Here's the phone number to call for the next 20 minutes or so you can call 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Debbie calling in from Centerville, Tennessee Debbie, what's your question for pastor. A real general question about the right hand of God.

Jesus is at the right hand of God. I never hear in the Bible and I'm not a connoisseur about the left hand of God. It just seems to be the blessed side is the right hand and if you have any comments, I'd appreciate Debbie appreciate that question. You know we we use that this is a figure of speech today to you know say things like oh he's he's my right hand man or*she's my right-hand woman that kind of a thing and really it's this position of authority to the idea of being at the right hand assist this position of authority and throughout the Scriptures you know we talk about Jesus being at the right hand of the father after his ascension and get it. It's focusing on his authority, his place right now as this King who rules over his people defends us cares for us, sustains us and you see this language all over the place.

Now it's really interesting is this idea of him being seated at the right hand of the father. You see this in the book of Hebrews and in other places and really what's being signified, there is the fact that he's accomplished his work as our great high priest to you, he seated at the right hand of father. He's made if you the right hand of the father.

He's made atonement for our sins. There's nothing left that needs to be done by then you have to have this really interesting passage. It would Stephen was being stoned to death and acts chapter 7, as he was being killed. He had this vision and he says the other stoning Stephen he called out falling on his knees, he cried out with a with a loud voice, Lord you hold the sin against them and when he had said this, he fell asleep just right before that talked about how he saw. Stephen said, behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God that is in the position of authority, the right hand of of the father that the Son of Man Jesus standing there was so interesting about that passage is he's not seated he's standing and what what I love about that. Debbie is at the right hand of the father that position of authority.

Jesus is still attentive to us in our suffering.

He rises to see Stephen. It is his one of his own sheep in the in this time of great difficulty in this time of great trial he rises and Stephen says I I see them there standing at the right hand of the father is crying out to the Lord. And so Jesus he ascended. He's at the right hand of the father where he ever lives to make intercession for us is praying for you and for me right now. Debbie what a beautiful thing that Jesus does for us is our great high priest, and so thank you for that question sister and dad appreciate appreciate it very much. Your listing to core Christianity with pastor Averill Sanchez, one of the ways you can leave a message is by calling our voicemail. You can call 24 hours a day and leave that message or even my recorded message on our website at core, Christianity.com here's the number to call its 833-843-2673.

That's 833. The core let's go to voicemail that came in yesterday. I what happened there cultures were Christianity at rest and are people that have not had contact with the outside world and know God is fair and just. How can it be fair that we get judge, the state, regardless of background, it seems inequitable, a brother, thank you for for that question. And this is a question that comes up from time to time.

What about those people.

What about those people who never have an opportunity to hear the gospel.

No one is ever sent to to preach to them or that they never hear the message of Jesus. Even those who have not heard the gospel are still going to be judge justly on the basis of what they do know about God, I sound like you understand that the Lord is just right.

He he he isn't unfair that something that we can rest in, and the apostle Paul makes it absolutely clear in the book of Romans Romans chapter 1 that even those who haven't heard about Jesus.

Haven't heard about the message of salvation are still judged justly by God that a passage to look at is Romans chapter 1 beginning in verse 18. The apostle Paul said, for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth for what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them for his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made so they are without excuse for although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchange the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Now understand what the apostle Paul is saying here because it's the answer to your question brother even those peoples who have not heard the message of the gospel are still accountable on the basis of what they know about God and what did they know about God. Well, his invisible attributes as internal powers divine nature. That's all been clearly perceived how if they haven't heard the gospel will it's been clearly perceived through the things that have been made.

That is the created world around us.

It testifies to us of the fact that there is a God in heaven was a creator and were not him, and he's not, you know, birds and and bugs and animals were nuts was worship those things were supposed to worship the creator. I love I love the way the psalmist put in Psalm chapter 19 the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork.

Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.

That is the very stars that we look up at the sky at night. They testify to us that there is a divine creator who were called to worship and follow what we do instead is we suppress that truth in unrighteousness. We don't want to follow God the Creator. In fact, we turn our backs from him and so what were justly held accountable on the basis of what we know and we know that there's a creator in heaven, and yet we reject that we choose instead to worship the creature rather than the creator we choose to worship ourselves. Now here's another thing that you need to know God calls those nations, those same nations that are walking in darkness you know the that have rejected the gospel. Don't know the gospel to himself.

He does call them to himself.

I think about what the apostle Paul said in acts chapter 17 Paul is preaching to a group of philosophers and he says this in verse 24.

The God who made the world and everything in it being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything and he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods in the boundaries of their dwelling place that they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him, yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being.

And so were all justly held accountable, even by what we know on the basis of creation. From creation. And yet the God we rejected the God we said yarmulke worship you worship myself from it. Worship this this idle this golden idol that God called humanity to seek him and not only did he call humanity to seek him, he sought us. He sent his son into the world to pursue us sinners so that we might turn from darkness to him. He sent Jesus, and Jesus lived and died and rose again so that we might know that he was speaking the truth to us and so that's that's your answer brother. All hell justly, accountable, and God and his goodness didn't abandon us in idolatry pursued us in his son Jesus.

I love that imagery painted their Israel of God's free gift of salvation God and his goodness extending that to everyone of us. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

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The core that number again 833-843-2673 let's go to voicemail question that came in from Sandy about Romans 1412 count help guide and I'm wondering were already say in our sins are forgiven, why do we have to give an account is guide. I get the passage of verse 10. Romans 14. Why do you pass judgment on your brother will you why you despise your brother, for we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess so then each of us will give an account of himself to God and there's there's a great and vivid picture that is painted for us of this event, at the very end of the Bible in the book of Revelation.

In Revelation chapter 20 John says and I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it from the from whose presence earth and sky fled away, and there was no place found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small. As everybody standing before the throne and the books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done were each can give an account to the Lord now as believers as those who have been justified. We can have confidence on the day of judgment, because our good works are not what save us, were saved by Jesus and what he's accomplished and if our our salvation was on the basis of our our works and we really could never have confidence but it seems like we as believers are called to have confidence on the day of judgment affect that's exactly what the apostle John says elsewhere in first John chapter 5 verse 24 to be first on chapter 4 verse 17 I met it in John chapter 5 verse 24.

Jesus talked about the judgment he said those who believe in him.

Don't enter into judgment, but have already passed from death to life. So if you're Christian on the day of judgment.

It's as if you've already passed from death to life, but you're still going to give an account and and this is something that's that's repeated throughout the New Testament.

You mentioned that path at passage in Romans chapter 14, you also see it in second Corinthians chapter 5 verse 10 it talks about giving, giving an account for the things done in the body. This is just just the reality, and we are going to be commended by the Lord for the good things that we've done rewarded by the Lord know you know exactly what that's going to look like entirely a more looking forward to that day.

But one thing that you can rest assured of is this this is in a judgment to determine whether or not you've done enough good works to get into heaven again.

John 524 Jesus made it clear if you believe in me, you've already passed from death to life. You don't enter into judgment. That is, you are not condemned.

Paul said in Romans chapter 8.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Why because we were justified in him saved as a wheat we have that the security this hope this confidence for the day of judgment, and yet we are, can it give an account and that's what the Bible says very clearly we are going to give an account before the Lord and be commended by the Lord for for that which was good that we did in the body and so that's that's answered your question that we see throughout the New Testament, and I appreciate that question very much.

Thank you for calling federal at passage in Romans chapter 8 is I think one of the things that is given me the most assurance throughout my my Christian walk, and I think all of us need to focus.

There is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus. Yeah, absolutely. And I know this something that rips a lot of believers assert fear of the day of judgment. But like I said in a look at passage like first John chapter 4 verse 17 and John says you so that we might have confidence in the day of just what we ought to. As believers have confidence because we've been adopted into the family of God, so that something you can have as a Christian I remember, this is core Christianity with pastor Gabriel Sanchez.

Let's go to Julio calling in from Belleville, Illinois Julia, what's your question for pastor a drill I would never sell. Thank you.

I think you look real quick Cherokee. Now when I go to an apostolic church, and when my pet really unites that he of jealousy repeat things like you. Thank you blessed me got back from which an object much in a money income about that in the dark and dank eat that we have to go boldly to the jail guy, you know, and I cannot in any you for your company.

Now I need to repeat it enough that man got out, grinning at a medical how can a guy like that family get he thought it might blow think my Blair think on it now down to rag on the floor like it got that right. While at L boldly make dumpy and hold you back when you going to that girl make you gold on the plane about you know not to go and count the know, like that can awake a guy yeah will sister I I I hear what you're saying. And one thing that does concern me is when we approach God in prayer, demanding things from him. This is not something that you see in Scripture, we come to the Lord with humility in prayer humbly and not not presumptuously.

You know, saying God, you owe me this. You owe me this blessing at the end of the day. You know that passage that you were referring to comes from the book of Hebrews will where we are able, through Christ our great high priest to come boldly to the throne of grace, and the other the Hebrew says, you know, for what purpose there isn't to say, God give me my blessing. You owe me big time Lord, you know, let it rain that kind of thing. We come boldly to the throne of grace, and this with the author.

The Hebrew says Julia so that we might receive mercy and find grace for our time of need is of the Lord gives to us as we can boldly ask for.

We can ask for grace, we can ask for the Holy Spirit. Jesus said if you being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. So I think that there are things that we can be bold and asking from the Lord. Namely, the forgiveness of our sins. Why because Jesus shed his blood so that all our sins would be forgiven.

The Holy Spirit why because Jesus do his work for us has secured the spirit as a gift for you and for me, but we don't come to the Lord saying God I'm demanding that you give me it all payraise or that kind of a thing know God is not a genie in a bottle that we just sort of you don't grant me my wishes and then get upset when he doesn't. That's not how it works and so I probably would have been uncomfortable in that situation to sister II think that when we pray were coming before the Lord of heaven and earth and we come with humility. We come longing for his grace and for his mercy. That doesn't mean it's it's it's wrong to ask for certain things but we don't presume upon the Lord's grace upon his generosity.

We don't demand anything from him. He's the king we are his servants. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer.

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