Jesus will come again (John 14:3). On the same day, He will judge all men. That day is called both “the last day” (John 12:48) and “the day of judgment” (2 Peter 3:7).
What excuses might be given that day?
“But, Lord, I thought . . . ?” This sounds like Naaman when he was told to dip in the Jordan to be rid of leprosy (2 Kings 5:11). He thought he knew how things ought to happen, but God thought differently. On Judgment Day it might be, “But I thought that all a person had to do to be saved was believe in Jesus as God’s Son.” The Bible says, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. . . . ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteous ness’. . . . You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:17–24).
Jesus will judge us by the Bible (John 12:48). “But, Lord, I was always told. . . . ” In the religious realm, all kinds of faulty messages are given. Only God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). Some might say, “I was told that one church is as good as another.” God’s Word teaches that there is only one body or church (Ephesians 4:4), and that Jesus promised to build one church (Matthew 16:18). He purchased and saves only one church with His blood (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23, 25).
“But, Lord, my pastor always said. . . .” It is amazing how many people hang their soul’s destiny on what a preacher has to say. The only Pastor whom we should accept as final authority is “our Lord Jesus . . . that great Shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20). He alone has all authority (Matthew 28:18–20). At the judgment, some may plead, “But my pastor said that it does not matter how you worship, just as long as you worship the Lord.” The Master said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
Think about it.
