God alone judges who is in and who is out of his presence.

7-31-19
Today’s devotion is based on Romans 13:9-13, “Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”

Today, I want to focus on God’s words to us, "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'"

Those words have interpreted to mean by many people that on Judgment Day, everyone, believer or not, will be saved. This belief is a dangerous understanding for it leads those who believe that way that there are many roads to heaven, for as they point out, all people will acknowledge God. In other words, all people, believers and not, will be with God for eternity.

The passage while stating “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God” is a comfort for those who believe, while at the same time it is a warning for those who don’t believe in God. Both will bow and confess that they are standing before God. That is good news for them.

On the other hand, those who died in unbelief even while also acknowledging that God is truly God will remain eternally separated from God. There is no second chance or do-over as they say today. That is the hell they are in forever.

Please pray with me the prayer for today. Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen, help me to remember these verses when I start to judge others, especially those of other Christian denominations. Remind me that you are God and in the end will decide who will or will not spend eternity with you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen