“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)
As the first example of authority my children experience, I want to prepare them for other legitimate authority figures—teachers, law enforcement, employers, government officials, etc.—to whom they will answer when not under my influence or protection. My children must understand authority and their shared responsibility, so they can live in peace and safety.
Once we make a poor choice, resulting consequence and punishment are a hard train to stop, if it can be stopped at all. In society, there is punishment for crimes both intended and accidental. We demand restitution and are not satisfied until justice is served and the debt to society is paid.
While we may choose the offense we commit, we do not get to choose the consequences. Acceptable punishment is determined by the authorities responsible for keeping the peace and maintaining safety.
Authority and justice as we experience them are simply a shadowing of what is to come. In the end, we will all answer for our less-than-perfect heart condition.
An account for our choices must be given to the One whose hands wove us together in the secret place of a mother’s womb. The intricacy with which He chose our hair and eye color will not be lost on this Father. The thought of eternal separation from us (which is the necessary penalty for sin) breaks His heart.
In the final courtroom standing before the Creator of Life, Satan (the enemy of our soul) will triumphantly give an account of our dirty deeds and secret sins. Guilty as charged, we won’t be able to deny a single accusation. But God, the Lover of our soul, delights in showing mercy … and His mercy trumps judgment.
God offered up His Son, Jesus Christ, as full payment for (wo)man’s sin. And it’s His sacrifice that provides the covering we need to silence all that Satan has against us.
When Satan is finished with his accusations against us and turns to the Judge to require a fitting sentence, God the Judge will turn to your side of the courtroom to see if your representation is the Advocate who has already paid your debt in full.
The blood of His Son at Calvary silences anything Satan can bring against you.
Have you taken what Christ did on the cross and made it personal to you? Thank Christ for what He did on the cross for you, ask His forgiveness and invite Him to be the Lord of your life. Once you do, you have an Advocate who defends you because His sacrificial love has already paid your debt. All of it. In full.
With Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection complete, believers of Christ no longer get what they deserve; they get what He deserves—life eternal!
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take what you discover and hold it up to the Light to evaluate it against who God says you are.
- Thinking back on bad decisions and/or actions, what does Satan (the accuser) have on you?
- What does the accuser keep reminding you about?
- What is it that you keep hearing or feeling regarding your regrets?
- Are these feelings/thoughts holding you back in any way or robbing you of something your heart desires?
- What would you want for yourself if you could get out from under these feelings?
Use God’s word to take control over traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts, take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises found in His word.
Print, then cut and carry this Scripture with you and/or post it in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s word says about His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Read this scripture and say to yourself:
Christ is tenderhearted toward me and draws even closer when I’m brokenhearted. His life-giving words in the Bible will give me hope, and He will comfort my crushed heart.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
