All for the Glory of God

We shall wear a crown.  As the old song goes, we shall, we shall, we shall wear a robe and crown.  It's an oldie but a goodie.  

Recently I have been thinking about the Judgment seat of Christ and how it seems to commonly be misrepresented in the church.  Or I will put t this way, it is mentioned but not in it's entirety. Blanket statements are made by those who know that there is coming a day where we all will stand before God and give an account for our life.  Even now as I write I get a little bit of a lump in my throat.  Can you imagine? One thing I know for sure, I made a choice a long time ago that I was going to follow Jesus because I love him, not because I fear him.  So when I read or hear things that cause me to fear, it's time to look for truth.  Since we know that God is a loving Father who gave his son on a cruel cross for us, it's highly unlikely that he is just waiting and recording our sins so that he can drag them out from underneath the blood of Jesus to make us pay.  No, the penalty has been paid in full.  If not, wow, what in the world is it all for?  But the scripture does not lie so let's give it a closer look.  

And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it.  The earth and the sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.  I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne.  And the books were opened, Including the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to what was recorded in the books.  The sea gave up it's dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead.  And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire.  This lake of fire is the second death.  And anyone whose name was not found in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelations 20:11-15 NLT

Whew! That is rough!  There are some things to ponder here.  We will all stand before God.  That much is true.  But let's not forget that the Lamb's book of Life will be there on our behalf!  Yes we will have to answer to God about our life and deeds but there will be one there with us who will answer on our behalf.  Jesus himself will be there holding the Book of Life in his hands.

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life.  I will confess his name to my Father before his angels. 

Revelations 3:5 ESV

So I picture that day that is so dreaded by many.  As my name is called and the scroll is read to me of the deeds done here on earth,  Jesus will be there to say, "Oh, wait a minute."  Hand in the air to stop all that is happening, He will say, "My blood has covered that one".  This one's name is in the Book of Life.  It has been taken care of on the cross.  Enter in.  

Any rewards or crowns we receive for our works here on earth will be thrown at the feet of Jesus who made all things possible.  Any accomplishments here on this earth was only because of the power of Jesus working in us, so all the glory belongs to Jesus and Jesus alone.  

In Revelations 4:10-11 we read the vision God gave John.

We see that the twenty four elders fall down in worship him who lives forever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.'" 

So whatever rewards we have been given, we will toss right back at the feet of Jesus who is the only one to receive all glory. 

I am so thankful that it does not depend on me or my goodness!  Do we then stop what we are called to do here for the glory of God?  No, all for his glory!  Let his glory shine through you so that others may gain the opportunity to have their names written in the Book of Life.  

All Glory to Jesus and Jesus alone.