Words of Grace

 

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.” The apostle John, writing in Revelation 20:12, was describing what will take place at the great white throne judgment.

Jesus said that there would be many “in that day” call him “Lord, Lord.” They will remind him of how they had done “many wonderful works.”

Then Jesus will profess unto them, “I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity’ (Matthew 7:23),
The apostle Paul, in his testimony found in Philippians 3, wrote about how he had hoped to get to heaven by his good works. God. would surely be impressed with his righteousness, he thought.

“But what things were gain to me,” he testified, “those I counted loss for Christ” (V. 7). Instead of trusting in his own righteousness, he put his faith in Christ alone.

He could now stand before the Lord, “not having my own righteousness,” as he said. He would face the Lord having the righteousness. of Christ,” the righteousness. which is of God by faith” (V.9.).

Hymn writer Elvina Hall echoed these words when she wrote:

“And when, before the throne, I stand in him complete. Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat. Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.