Scripture
And this is the message I proclaim – that the day is coming when God, through Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life.
Observation
The Gentiles will be destroyed for their sins even though they didn’t have God’s written law. The Jews also will be judged because they had the Law but failed to obey it.
Obedience to the Law makes us right, not just knowing it. Even Gentiles instinctively know what is right because they have a conscience.
God is going to judge everybody through Jesus Christ.
Application
Salvation from the judgement is not just about the Law.
The Jews had God’s written law but many failed to obey it. They will be judged by the Law they disobeyed.
Gentiles will likewise be judged by their actions because their conscience told them what was right.
But Christ will judge everybody by their secret life. It is our actions at home or alone that show our hearts. Since God has access to our secret thoughts, He will be able to judge by our heart attitudes.
God is not impressed by people who live respectable or successful lives, and who go home and abuse their spouse or children.
Jesus said that murder has its roots in anger and that adultery starts with a lustful heart. It is these attitudes that will be judged, not just the outward actions.
This is not abut occasional bad thoughts, but a mind set that glories in sin.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you see into my heart and so I have no secrets before you. Please forgive me for my sinful thoughts and convict me of attitudes that I need to change. Amen.
