JAN 22

John 12:44-50
Memorise John 12:48
“…the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

This passage speaks of Christ as the light of the world. He is the perfect light that shines in the darkness of this sin-filled world. But “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:19-20). Nonetheless for them, there will be a day of reckoning – a judgment by God where those who reject Christ will receive a final judgment in the last day.

On that day, God’s judgment will be based on whether we have heeded the words of Christ. He has come to save the world and yet there are many who reject Him, and reject His Word. What shall the judge of all the earth do with such? Can he be allowed to cast aside the words of God and regard them as nothing? If worldly powers like the school and government do not condone those who break the rules and laws, how can a holy God overlook those who blatantly reject His laws?

The standard that God will use to judge the world is not an arbitrary one. It will be according to His revealed will, the Word of God which is proclaimed, preached, taught constantly. Consider the number of Bibles sold around the world, the billions of tracts that are printed to ensure that the Word of God goes out to the nations, that all might believe and be saved. There are many instances of helicopters used to distribute portions of God’s Word over a whole countryside. Many translations have also been made so that all can read God’s Word in their own language. The Lord prophesied that before He returns, the “gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations” (Matt 24:14). We see this happening all around us. The world will be judged according to whether they have received or rejected the gospel.

Dear teen, you have God’s Word in your hands, but will you reject it? Or would you rather embrace it with all your heart, believe every jot and tittle of it, and obey it in your lives? If God were to judge you today based upon His Word, how do you think you would fare? To have faith in God means that we have faith in His Word, and that we desire to obey it. Is that how it is for you?

Thought: Let us daily examine ourselves that we may not be judged and condemned of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, let me constantly abide in Thee and Thy words, always looking to Thee with a singular love and devotion.