Answers

By   •   July 4, 2023   •   Topics:

Q:

It is said that God judges and Jesus loves, yet God and Jesus are one. Does the Almighty withhold love and judgment on mankind until the world ends, or does He judge and love us while we live?


A:

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Someday we each will die and stand before God to give an account of our lives—sand if we have ignored God and turned away from His offer of salvation, we can expect only His judgment. The Bible is clear: Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (see Hebrews 9:27).

Those are sobering words that we ignore at our peril. But the Bible warns us that God also brings judgment upon us in this life. The Bible says, “You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23, NIV).

The headlines are filled with people who thought they could sin and get by with it—only to have it come out in the open and bring their lives crashing down. We must never take God’s judgment lightly—and we shouldn’t take sin lightly. God certainly doesn’t and the proof is that it cost His Son His very life. Today there is less teaching about sin, and very little warning of judgment. Some of the strongest warnings about judgment in the Bible come from the lips of Jesus, and even this is motivated by His love.

When we are called before God and His throne of judgment, it will be too late to reverse our decision. It is during our lifetime on Earth that we decide our eternal destiny. When we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit in obedience to His Word, His people need not fear judgment in either this life or the life to come.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

God will forgive your sins. Ask Him now.