A Bible teacher whom I respect greatly wrote an article concerning our judgment for sins after we die as Christians. My whole Christian life I have been painfully aware of my sins. The only hope I have is the knowledge that all my sins are covered by the blood of Jesus. I have been looking forward to the Rapture when all the things of this life will be no more and we will be free from this burden of sin.
But according to the Bible teacher this won’t happen. As soon as we die or are raptured we will face God’s judgment and and have to answer for every sinful thought and deed we ever had. I am almost in tears thinking of the shame I will feel. Now the rapture doesn’t seem like something we can look forward to but is something to dread. How can we encourage each other about the rapture if there’s a big judgment coming right after it?
Stop and think. God knew every sin of your life before He went to the cross, and died for all of them. Your sins can’t be pinned on you because they’ve been nailed to the cross and taken away (Colossians 2:13-14). He did this before you even knew Him, because He knew you and loved you enough to die for you so you could live in eternity with Him (Ephesians 2:1-7).
Now that you’ve professed your love for Him does it make sense that He’d make you answer for the very things He has already paid for with His life?
Stop listening to the opinions of men and stay focused on what God has said. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). If you’re in Christ you’re a new creation (1 Cor. 5:17) with a righteousness from God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (Romans 3:21-22).
You have been washed (cleansed of your sins) sanctified (made holy) and justified (rendered righteous) in the name of Jesus by the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:11). As part of a radiant Church, you are without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephes. 5:27).
Your sins have been removed from you as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12) and God will never bring them up again. From His perspective it’s like they never happened. Reclaim your joy and be encouraged in the name of the Lord.