Judged by the Word of God
Judgment Day is coming. Some try and avoid thinking about a day of reckoning, but it is a fact shown clearly in the Bible.
It is true that God would have all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Yet that does not mean that a person can do whatever they want and still be saved.
Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
Mankind will be judged by the word, then all must follow the same word.
There will not be a book for each “religious group.” In all the teaching found in the New Testament, one does not find people being taught different ideas. They were simply told to follow and obey the law of Christ.
Mankind understands the need for standards in everyday life. The mechanic knows there are standard-size parts. The seamstress knows the number of inches in a yard and understands the need for a standard of measure. It should be seen that there is a standard in religious matters.
Some say that with the population of the world being so great, surely not everyone can follow the same way. It must be remembered, God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:10,11; Acts 10:34,35).
Every person who is saved will be saved by following the word God has given to man.
Man has tried to develop his own plan to please God. This is not correct for several reasons.
First, it is not necessary; God has already provided the plan to follow and has given examples of those who followed it.
Read the Book of Acts. The people heard the word; they believed, were willing to repent of their sins, confessed that Jesus is the Son of God and were baptized for the remission of their sins.
Second, God has said that his will must be obeyed.
“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Third, God has provided the only sacrifice that can remove sin — Christ (John 1:29).
Fourth, the ideas of men vary, and one man’s idea is as good as the next. However since man will be judged according to the words of the Lord and not man’s ideas or notions, one must see the need for following God’s word, and it alone. The inspired word of God is the standard that must be followed.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20, 21).
God has always communicated to man. He first spoke directly to man as in the days of Adam, Abraham, Noah and others.
He then gave the law of Moses, the first written word to man, and then the law of Christ. In each time period, God provided the knowledge man needed, and still needs, to be saved. It is up to man to follow God’s word.