There is a lot to learn about the Christian life and living it. It's true, once we are saved, it's a done deal. But, unless we pursue to grow and gain godly wisdom, we will still suffer for our lack of growth. We will gain entry into heaven, but there will still be consequences to pay for. We all, whether saved or not will have to stand before the Judge one day and give an account for our actions. God will either save us or destroy us...the choice is ours. And we can also choose to live a lazy life as a Christian. Christ will pass that final judgement on all of us when He will either say, "Well done My good and faithful servant", or "Depart from Me, I never knew you", because we chose to be lukewarm He will spit us out. We may cross the finish line but when it comes time for our rewards, we will lose them. I just can't visualize being a disappointment to Christ. Can you?

In striving to hear Him tell me He is pleased with me one day, I am preparing myself now so that I won't have to stand before Him acting ignorant. I just can't think of anything else worth putting my time and effort into. It's all futile in the end. God is a God of order, so it only makes sense that if we take the time to know what His Word says, then everything else in this life will automatically line up, and we won't drive ourselves crazy trying to be someone we aren't or be somewhere we will never get to. There is a simple rule to follow, and it is this: When you work the Word, the Word will work. God is on our side and He promises to provide everything we need. When we drive ourselves crazy trying to get ahead because of pride and jealousy or covetousness we will only succeed in destroying our own victory in the end.

But besides being prideful or jealous or greedy, there is something else that can hurt us. We can claim to be a good Christian and still do wrong in the sight of God. That is being a judging person. To be transformed into the mind of Christ is not an easy task. In fact it's downright impossible for us as humans. Only God can do this supernatural transformation as long as we ask Him to do it. We must be willing to make all the adjustments possible. It takes work on our part. God doesn't wave His magic wand, because He doesn't have one. God is in the business of miracles, not magic. So, when we submit ourselves to Him, He cleanses us from our sins. This is only the beginning, we still have our work cut out for us. It takes a conscious effort on our part to have these changes occur. God brings us from glory to glory, one step at a time. The important thing here is that we keep striving. We are to never give up our growth in Christ. It's our responsibility to get into God's Word, study it, meditate on it, understand it and most importantly, live it.

I admit, I have a long way to go myself but I keep persuing my right to be called righteous and upright. I have days when I fail something that God warns me against, but it's a beautiful relationship that I have. If I do something that doesn't please God, He always lets me know. He corrects His children, and that is how we learn. I know enough not to allow Satan to condemn me and bring doubt about myself into my life. I read God's Word of instructions, and when He speaks to me about a certain subject, I take it to heart. I ask Him to search me and help me to get past that weakness. I also repent of that act knowing He is quick to forgive. I pray I won't repeat that offense.

I am no different than a lot of Christians who make judgments about other people. Sometimes I see myself as so upright that I criticize someone else for the things they should or shouldn't be doing. I blame it on their lack of godly wisdom and that they should really take it more seriously. But lately God spoke to me about this. He's been telling me for a long time now that I am not responsible for everyone... just myself. That means I am not the one to judge someone else's' love walk. God brings us all out at different times, some quicker than others. As for me, He put me on speed dial. My salvation grew at leaps and bounds. I couldn't soak enough in, but that's me and I accepted the challenge. It's my goal to succeed in this race to glory.

But lately I read His Words that convicted me. I would not be victorious if I continued to be smug in my walk. I can use several excuses like, I care too much about people to see them make mistakes, or I only want them to love God enough to show Him more. Now I see the sillyness of this. God knows their hearts, He's in control...not me. I was judging others. It was plain as the nose on my own face. I have to call it what it is. This is where it begins.

"Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?" James 4:11-12

God has a way of putting it to you when need be. Indeed, who am I to judge my neighbor? The Bible says that if we judge then God will judge us that much more. This is something I don't care to find out. It's one thing for non-believers to judge Christians, but Christians are not to judge anyone. There is a difference in being judgemental of someone's sins, and judging the person. It's our Christian duty to admonish and correct in a gentle manner, but never to blame. Sadly enough, people in the world will not buy into all of this, to them it is all foolishness. But a believer has no excuse. In the end, God will still do exactly what He said He would. It makes no difference if you believe it or not.

God gives us all a set of instructions in which to live by. We can choose to either accept them or reject them, but the final outcome still remains true for everyone. God doesn't play games, only people do. Since a Christian will be the first to be judged, that should make us want to be on our very best behavior at all times. This doesn't mean that a non-believer gets off the hook however. They are part of this plan as well. Here is the warning we are given;

"For it is time for judgement to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17

We are told that we Christians will be first. We will stand before Christ on the day of Judgement. We are saved by the blood of Christ, but still accountable. After the destruction of the world, all non-believers will still have to stand before God Almighty at the 'Great White Throne of Judgement'. This is where the purging begins. Their final destination will be a one way ticket to eternal damnation. Salvation doesn't come easy, there's a lot of pain and suffering involved. But being unsaved will be a lot harder.

"And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?" 1 Peter 4:18

When a saved person entrusts their soul to God, they are making a deposit on their eternal life in heaven. It sure beats an eternity in hell.

If you are unsaved today, ask Christ into your life. Tell Him you have sinned and want to be washed clean by His blood. If you believe and confess with your mouth that Christ died for your sins and rose again to be the Lord and Master over your life, He will come and live inside of you through the power of the Holy Spirit. You will never again be alone.

Remember, it will be better for you that you declare the truth and be rejected by people than to withhold it in order to gain acceptance from them. Who will you please? God...or man?