Jesus gathers the world for judgment – including Christians. But wait, do Christians get judged?
Yes, Christians are judged, too. We know we will not be condemned, and that Jesus has paid the price, but Jesus is clear – Christians will give account for their lives. To put it another way – our character matters; our choices matter; how we respond to God matters.
It is all about the Response. Those who go to eternal life don’t realize they are serving Jesus, but they have responded to His love and forgiveness and grace – and lived lives of love and forgiveness and grace – serving others. Those who are sent to eternal punishment call Jesus, “Lord”, but have not responded to Him, have not served Him, have not followed Him. Our choices and character and response matters. God’s grace changes us – but only if we allow Him, and surrender to Him, and cooperate with Him.
So what does it mean to be a Christian? It means we have accepted the Gift of Grace – forgiveness, new life, divine love. That gift is to be opened and LIVED – in gratitude. In the judgment, Jesus is looking to see not just if we know the Gift exists (“I know Jesus died on the cross to forgive sins”), but if we opened the Gift, lived the Gift, and ultimately had thankfulness to the Giver. Did we actually start becoming what He made us to be?
