GENERAL COMMENTS:
The coming Judgment is something we all face as human beings. There are two groups of people who will face judgment. These two groups are very different. For the “UNSAVED” Group Judgment is an event to be feared in the worst possible way. However, for those who are in the “CHRISTIAN” Group (true Believers in The Lord Jesus Christ) this is not an event to be feared but an event to be welcomed with positive anticipation – even joyful expectation and excitement. I’ll speak more about these two judgment events later in this paper. But first let’s be sure we understand just who is really a “Christian.”
You see, for all of us who are Christian, Jesus Christ took all of our sins upon Himself almost 2000 years ago at the cross of Calvary and He paid for all of them with His Life and His Blood. Repeat this sentence to yourself so you can hear yourself say it. “JESUS CHRIST PAID FOR ALL SIN, FOR ALL MANKIND, FOR ALL TIME ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY.” “JESUS CHRIST PAID FOR ALL MY SIN!”
Yes, JESUS CHRIST was the “Perfect Sacrifice” and He fully paid sin’s debt for all of us. As a result we read in the Words of Jesus Himself in John 3:14-18 (14) “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” This beautiful scripture is God’s greatest news of SALVATION that we could possibly hope to hear. Note the “WHOSOEVER” statement. Salvation is available to everyone who will receive it and believe in Jesus Christ. No one is excluded! Remember, JESUS CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR ALL SIN, FOR ALL MANKIND, FOR ALL TIME (past, present, and future).
God desires that everyone (all) come to a saving knowledge of JESUS CHRIST. In 2 Peter 3:9 we read, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Yes, God desires that everyone come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. But, not everyone does! This is because when God created man, He made Him with the ability of “Free Choice” and God will never interfere with man’s free choice. Therefore, man is free to choose to accept Jesus Christ or to reject Him. And, Therefore, it is the person (every human being) who by choosing Jesus Christ or rejecting Him chooses Eternal Life (Heaven) or Eternal Death (Hell)
In the Words of Jesus Himself, we note that He is the Only Way to Heaven – to gain Eternal Life.” Jesus said in John 14:6, (6) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Again, in the Words of Jesus Himself, we find that only a few choose The Way of salvation (Jesus Christ). In Matthew 7:13-14, (13) we read, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” KJV
Again, in the Words of Jesus Himself, we are told that many will be deceived into thinking that they are on their way to Heaven when in reality they are still in their sin and headed for Hell. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 (21) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” KJV
As The Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Peter in I Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
By Choosing Jesus Christ and receiving Him into our heart and life, we become “Christians,” “Children of God,” “Citizens of Heaven,” As Peter declared in I Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:”
Finally, one may well ask, If Jesus paid for all sin, for all men; if salvation is available to all; if God desires that everyone come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; then why isn’t everyone saved? The answer is very simple yet very sad. Remember, that God created man with the freedom to choose. Therefore, every person must choose or reject Jesus. By not choosing Jesus, one rejects Jesus. Choosing Jesus must be a positive, conscious, deliberate choice of each person in order for that person to become a Christian (a True Believer in Jesus Christ – A Child of God) and thereby gain Eternal Life in Jesus and a Home in Heaven for Eternity. Failure to choose Him is a choice to continue in one’s state or condition of sin and thus spend an eternity in Hell!
PART II:
SCRIPTURES RELATING TO THE JUDGMENT OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS:
MICAH 7:19 (19) He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Gil’s COMMENT:
This is truly an amazing prophecy in this small
prophetic book of the Old Testament. The God of Judgment and Wrath
of the Old Testament is to show Himself as The God of Love AND
Compassion in the New Testament. Under the Old Covenant, The
peoples’ sins were simply “covered” by the blood of animals. However,
in The New Covenant, our sins are “forgiven” and “cast into the depth
of the sea.” It is vital to understand that under the New Testament (the
New Covenant), we are not only forgiven of our sins but we are also
thoroughly cleansed of our sins. The phrase, “he will subdue our
iniquities” from Micah 7:19 foretells the wonderful truth that God will
provide a Way (Jesus Christ) for our sins to be conquered and the
“wages of our sins” to be fully paid by the “Lamb of God” Who taketh
away the sin of the world.” God, in His Everlasting Mercy, His
Amazingly Sufficient Grace, and His Loyal Unconditional Love Has
provided for all of us a Way of Salvation, Redemption, and
Reconciliation!! (JESUS!!) Praise GOD and Praise The Lamb!!!
LUKE 1:30-32 (30) “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
(32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest.” KJV
GIL’S COMMENTS:
The wonderful meaning of The Name “JESUS” is SAVIOR! The angel told Mary in verse 31 “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:” And in Matthew 1:21 the angel told Joseph concerning Mary, “(21) “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Jesus is The Son of God.
Jesus is The Son of God – Jesus is One with God – Jesus is GOD! Therefore He is “Qualified” to be our Savior. He is the “Perfect Sacrifice” – “The Lamb of God, slain from the Foundation of the world.” Jesus came into this world as a baby, to grow into manhood, and to ultimately go to the cross to pay our sin debt on our behalf!
Jesus is One With The Father.
Many times Jesus stated that He was “God in the flesh.” Jesus stated in John 10:30, “I and My Father are One.” The dialogue between Jesus and the “religious leaders” continued in John 10:31-38, (31) Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. (32) Jesus answered them, “Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?” (33) The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (34) Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? (35) If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; (36) Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (37) If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. (38) But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. KJV
Jesus is God.
These and many other scriptures verify that Jesus is The One and Only SAVIOR – The Christ – Jesus is the Messiah – Jesus is The Lord of Lords and The King of Kings – Jesus is The Son of God – Jesus is One with God – Jesus is GOD!!!
MATTHEW 1:21 (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
GIL’S COMMENTS:
Here the angel, seeking to reassure Joseph, told him about the coming birth of Jesus. Conceived of The Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, Jesus was (and is) indeed The Son of God! Around the age of 33 Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about him when He permitted Himself to be arrested, tried, wrongfully convicted, and sentenced by Pilot to death on the Cross. Jesus went willingly to The Cross for He realized that this was the exact purpose for which He had come to the earth and taken on the body of a man. He had stated this purpose plainly many times to his disciples. In Matthew 16:21 ”From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” And in Matthew 20:17, Jesus said (17) And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, (Matthew 20:18) “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,”
Jesus voluntarily Laid down His Life and took it up again.
Also, Jesus foretold His coming Death and Resurrection. He stated in John 10:15-18 (15) “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (17) Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” KJV
GIL’S COMMENTS REGARDING THE PROPHECY OF JESUS COMING TO EARTH SND GOING TO THE CROSS AS THE PERFECT SACRIFICE FOR ALL THE SINS OF MANKIND:
Throughout the Old Testament, we are told of the future coming of the Messiah – The Christ! Since The Old Testament is a record of God’s dealing with the descendents of Abraham (in other words a book to the Jewish people) we find no specific mention of the interval of time covered in the New Testament – The Age of The Church (In other words, God’s dealing with the Gentiles). The Jews (The Old Testament Prophets and the religious leaders at the time of Jesus) were looking for a Messiah who would come to fulfill the part of the prophecy concerning the re-establishment of the throne of David and the subsequent throwing off the yoke of oppression (of Rome) and re-establishing the sovereign kingdom of Israel with Messiah as its King. Jewish biblical scholars were divided on the portion of the prophetic declaration that the Messiah would come as “the suffering servant” of Isaiah 53:1-12. Many thought Isaiah was speaking of himself. Few thought the following passage spoke of The Messiah. However, in the prophetic words of the Isaiah we read these words about the future suffering of Jesus the Messiah in Isaiah 53:1-12. (1) “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? (2) For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. (3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (4) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (8) He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
This is only one of the many prophecies concerning the suffering of The Messiah.
However, this is the most complete one we have in Isaiah 53.
JOHN 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, “I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.” Also, in
JOHN 8:24 we read the Words of Jesus, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
GIL’S COMMENT: Jesus stated that if you do not believe in Me, you shall die in your sins. Jesus stated that He is The Savior – not a savior but The Savior – the ONE AND ONLY SAVIOR!
It is interesting to note that in this passage Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of His Day. These were mostly of the Pharisee sect and considered themselves to be much more religious than all other people. Clearly Jesus was saying, “You are in sin now and will die in your sins unless you repent of your sins and believe in Me and receive Me into your hearts and lives as Savior and Lord!” As descendents of Adam and Eve we are born into a “state” or “condition” of sin and unless we accept God’s Only “Plan of Salvation” which is Jesus Christ, we will continue in our condition of sin leading ultimately to our eternal death in hell itself! It is very important that we realize that we are born into a state of sin. No, we didn’t choose it. That choice was made for us by our ancestral parents, Adam and Eve. We may say, “that’s very unfair.” However, that attitude changes nothing. The fact remains, we were born into a state or condition of sin from which we must be saved and we can do nothing to save ourselves. We can never be able to pay sin’s debt. That debt had to be paid by someone else. The “Perfect Sacrifice,” Jesus Christ, was the only One qualified to pay the debt for us and He did that on The Cross of Calvary.
Salvation can be found in Jesus Christ and in JESUS CHRIST alone!
Within a few hours after Pentecost, the Apostle Peter, newly filled with the Holy Spirit, declared in the streets of Jerusalem in Acts 4:10-12. (10) “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Also, In Romans 10:9-13, we read, (9) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Please note that the word “SHALT” is used several times in the above verses. This is a word that signifies that this is the ONLY WAY”– this is the “CERTAIN” way – this is the “SURE” Way – there is NO OTHER WAY! If a person believes that there is any other way to Heaven than Jesus Christ – then that person does not believe the Holy Bible to be God’s Word. For God’s Holy Word – The Bible, states clearly that Jesus Christ is the Only Way to Salvation and thus The Only Way to gain Heaven and Eternal Life!
Remember what Jesus said in John 3:16-18. He said, (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. KJV
My dear friend, JESUS SAVES AND ONLY JESUS SAVES. Salvation can be obtained through no other method or person! Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” KJV
PART 3:
LUKE 5:24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
MATTHEW 12:36-37 (36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. KJV
Note this is to be added as commentary on page 3 after MATTHEW 12:36-37:
GIL’S COMMENTS:
Many Christians view this statement by Jesus with some degree of fear. While the unsaved need to view this with fear of the Great White Throne Judgment it is not something for the Christian to fear. The main reason is that our sins were fully judged and paid for at the Cross of Calvary by Jesus Christ some 2000 years ago. While all our words and deeds as Christians will be taken into account at The Bema Seat Judgment of Jesus Christ, our unproductive words and deeds will be as wood, hay, and stubble and will be burned by the test of fire. Only those of worth (as gold, and silver) will remain. (Remember that those works of worth will be those that we have allowed Jesus Christ to do in us and through us as we allow Him to be Lord of our lives and do The Father’s Will in us and through us!)
We need to remember and remind one another that our sins (all of them) were judged and paid for at the Cross of Calvary by Jesus Christ. For this reason The Holy Spirit states through the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:1-4, (1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” KJV
This does not mean that we as Christians do not sin for indeed we do. Not that we want to sin. In fact as Christians we greatly desire to live a life of sinlessness. However, as The Holy Spirit writes through the mind of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:14-25, (14) “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
(16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” KJV
In these verses, Paul describes the war that was raging in him and indeed rages within each one of us who are Christians. The dilemma is that we are still in the flesh and the natural man within us is still desiring to control our lives. This battle will continue until we lay this body of flesh aside in “natural death.”
In 1 John 1:8-10 we read, (8) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. KJV
In verse 8 we see that every Christian sins. Remember 1 John is a letter written to “my little children” (Christians). In verse 8 we see that any Christian who says he/she is without sin is a liar and is deceiving himself/herself. Again in verse 10 we see that any Christian who says he/she is without sin is calling God a liar. In other words, we sin. However, the real point of these verses is that God has provided a way for us to be immediately forgiven of our sin and to be completely cleansed of that sin. If we confess our sin, God is Faithful and Just to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Praise God! Note that God, Our father is Faithful to forgive us AND to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness. Remember, Jesus Christ paid for all sin, for all mankind, for all time, upon the cross of Calvary. Therefore, God is Justified in forgiving us of confessed sin because Jesus has already paid the full price for all sin. God knows our continuing problem with sin and He made provision for payment, forgiveness, and cleansing so that we may continue to walk in Fellowship with Him.
This is a good place to point out that God not only forgives our confessed sin and cleanses us of all of it, He then fills us with Himself – with his Holy Spirit – with his Righteousness, so that we “become the very Righteousness of God!!” In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read, (21) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; (Jesus Christ) that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (in Christ).” We are commanded to be in a state of “continually being filled with the Holy Spirit.” God has made provision and continues to make provision so that we can have unbroken fellowship with Him. He desires to have “continuing fellowship” with us and for us to have “continuing fellowship” with Him!”
JOHN 12:30-32 (30) Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. (31) Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (32) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. KJV
Gil’s COMMENT:
Jesus made the above statement a few short days before He went to the Cross of Calvary to perform His task as “The Lamb Of God Slain from The Foundation of The World.” He was “The Perfect Sacrifice” of God able to pay the full debt of sin for all mankind, for all time. His statement in verse 31 (Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.) was a prophetic statement about to come true within days. On the Cross of Calvary Jesus would take upon Himself the sin of the world and pay for it. In so doing, He would defeat the devil and the force of hell once for all time. No longer would sin, death, and hell hold a death grip in humanity. Jesus paid the debt for sin and in so doing made it possible for “whosoever will” to come to a Saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ by trusting in Him and receiving Him into our heart and life as Savior and Lord!
Remember that our sins (all of them) were judged at the Cross-of Calvary and Jesus Paid our debt – all of it!) Judgment of our sins as Christians (True Believers in Jesus Christ) has already been fully completed – almost 2000 years ago at the Cross of Calvary by Jesus! The only future judgment that awaits us is The Bema Seat Judgment “Awards Ceremony” of which I write elsewhere in this document.
ACTS 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the(* remission) of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(*Mat 26:28, Luke 3:3, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Rom 3:25, Heb 9:22,
Heb 10:18, SEE Sin; Forgiven, SEE Forgiveness)
ACTS 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; KJV
ACTS 4:10-12 (10) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
(11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
(12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. KJV
GIL’S COMMENTS:
The Apostle Peter in this very powerful sermon was newly filled with the Holy Spirit. In fact, this sermon was preached within a few hours of the Coming of The Holy Spirit at Pentecost to fill and empower the Believers. Empowered by The Holy Spirit Peter was fearless in his proclamation of Jesus Christ as The One and Only Savior. Peter declared, “This man whom you crucified,” “this man whom God raised from the dead,” “this man whom you rejected” has become the Chief Corner Stone. Peter echoed the very Words of Jesus when he declared, “there is salvation in no one else – there is none other Name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Today, there are a multitude of voices in our society proclaiming that there are many ways to get to god. These are outright lies straight from the pit of hell itself. Man made religions of the world all have a common trait in that they all in some way try to argue that mankind can gain his own state of “godhood” by his own efforts – his own works. The “religions” of the world all relate man’s effort to get to god or to become as god – the devil’s original lie to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Christianity is not a religion, it is a “RELATIONSHIP.” Christianity is God’s Plan to reconcile man unto Himself!
We need to proclaim the Truth of God’s Word today as never before. The Truth that Jesus Christ is God’s “Narrow Way.” Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY – THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GOD – FOR MAN TO GAIN ETERNAL LIFE. Eternal Life is found in Jesus Christ and no where else! Jesus Himself said, John 3:15-17 (15) “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (17) “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” KJV
In John 10:27-30 we have one of the most reassuring scriptures in the Words of Jesus Christ Himself. Here we are referred to as “Sheep” and Jesus Christ is the “Good Shepherd.” Here Jesus plainly states, “I give Eternal Life to My Sheep.” (27) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (28) “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (29) “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (30) “I and my Father are one.” KJV
In Romans 6:23 we are given the assurance that Eternal Life is God’s Free Gift to us through Jesus Christ Our Lord. (23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV
In 1 John 5:11, again, we have the assurance that Eternal Life God’s Gift of Eternal Life is only through Jesus Christ! (11) And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. KJV
End of Gil’s Comments on ACTS 4:10-12
ROMANS 5:14-19 (14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (15) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (16) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. (17) For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. KJV
ROMANS 14:11-13 (11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (13) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. KJV
2 CORINTHIANS 5:8-10 (8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (9) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. KJV
Gil’s Comment:
For all of us who are Christian, (all those who have believed in, trusted in, the Lord Jesus Christ and received Him into our hearts as our Savior and Lord) there are two distinct and separate judgments.
THE FIRST JUDGMENT FOR THE CHRISTIAN:
The first of these has already occurred and the second is yet to come. Remember that Jesus made this statement just before he went to the cross to lay down His Life and shed His Blood as payment for all the sin, for all mankind, for all time. At the cross of Jesus, Christ was “judged” for all our sin. There on the cross, He took upon Himself the full load of sin for all mankind – for all time. There on the cross, He paid the full price for our sin – all of it – past, present, and future. Make this statement to yourself, “Jesus paid for all my sin on the cross of Calvary.” This is so fantastic that it is hard for us to believe and comprehend. But, it is true! We need to simply believe it and receive this truth into our daily living and thus practice our professed belief in and receiving of Christ Jesus into our heart and life. This “first judgment” of our sins was done for us by Jesus Christ at The Cross!
So, dear one, as a true Believer in Jesus Christ, your sins and mine where fully paid for at the cross of Calvary! Therefore, it is a fact, “that if we confess our sins, He (God, the Father) is Faithful (He will do it without fail) and Just (Just because Jesus paid the sin debt for us so our sins are paid for in God’s Eyes) to Forgive us of our sin and Cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Note that we are not only forgiven by God but fully cleansed of the sin. Our sin is gone!! Therefore, The Holy Spirit can write through the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
THE SECOND JUDGMENT:
There is a second “judgment” awaiting the child of God (a true believer in Jesus Christ). This judgment is referred to in The New Testament of The Holy Bible as the “Bema Seat” judgment. This amounts to an awards ceremony for all Christians. (Remember, that our sins were judged long ago at the cross of Calvary. So, there is no future judgment of the sin of a true believer in Jesus Christ.)
The term “Bema Seat Judgment” is derived from a practice well known in the Greek world of the time of Paul. It comes from the athletic games of the Greeks. The “Bema Seat” was the “winner’s circle” or “the winner’s podium” in today’s terms. It was the place of honor where those who had already won the race came to receive their prize or reward. So, remember that everyone who appears before the Bema Seat Judgment is already a winner. The purpose is to receive our just rewards for deeds done as a Christian while on the earth.
SPECIAL WORD OF CAUTION:
I must insert a word of caution here. We find in God’s Word that mankind can easily be deceived by the devil and/or the demons of hell into thinking that our human works that we do “for Jesus Christ” or “in the Name of Jesus Christ” that come from our own human thinking or “sense of” what we ought to be doing will lead only to eternal death. Again, please note the words of Jesus Christ where He warns against “human works” in Matthew 7:20-23, (20) “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Yes, there will be “Many” at this Great White Throne Judgment who will be greatly surprised to be there, thinking that they have “earned” the right to be there for there great “works.”
The great danger here is in doing what we think is right. The emphasis here must be on the word “we.” If we do what we think is right – if we do what our demonination says to do – if we do what someone else says we ought to do – the we are following human reasoning and not following Jesus Christ. This will lead us down a sinful road to be included in that group of doomed people referred to in Matthew 7:20-23. Instead, we must surrender to The Lordship of Jesus Christ and allow Him to direct our lives – allow Him to do The Work and Will of The Father in us and through us! Then (and only then) will we be doing the Father’s Work. His Works done in us and done through us are the only Works of Eternal Value. The difference is a subtle difference but a vitally important difference! The difference is “being deceived” as opposed to “not being deceived” – In allowing Jesus to be Lord of Our lives as opposed to running our own lives ourselves.
For the reasons outlined in the preceding paragraph, I have held a very dubious attitude to the popular phrase of recent years, “What would Jesus do.” (WWJD) This is really the wrong question to ask. The issue is not (what would Jesus do?) rather the question should be “What does Jesus want to do in me and through me?” It will be our hands “doing the work.” It will be our feet doing the “going.” It will be our voice “speaking the Words.” Yet, Jesus as Lord of our life, will be directing the “doing” and the “going” and the “speaking.” Let’s remember the scripture found in Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” KJV
We need to resurrect the term “Bondslave” and put it into practice in our daily lives as did the Apostle Paul who often referred to himself as a “Bondslave” or “Bondservant” of The Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus must be directing our lives as Lord of our lives (as well as our Savior) for us to be truly “Christians” (saved, children of God, true believers, citizens of Heaven).
The Holy Spirit wrote through the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Also in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 we read. (11) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” KJV
These scriptures reveal that some men’s works will prove to be worthless and therefore compared to wood, hay, and stubble that cannot withstand the test of fire. These will be saved because salvation does not depend on our works. Instead our salvation depends on Jesus Christ and on Him alone.
In concluding this section, I must remind all of us that there is a single horrible judgment awaiting the unbeliever in Jesus Christ. This is called the “Great White Throne Judgment” and is explained in Revelation 20:11-15 where we read, (11) “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead, which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead, which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
We must also remember that Jesus stated that there would be many that would be deceived into thinking they are “Christians” due to their so-called “great works.” Jesus point this our emphatically in Matthew 7:20-23, (20) “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Yes, Jesus said there will be “many” at this Great White Throne Judgment who will be greatly surprised to be there, contending with Jesus that they should NOT be there rather, that they should be in Heaven for there great “works.” We don’t want to be among this crowd of deceived sinners.
1 TIMOTHY 5:24 (24) Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment ; and some men they follow after. KJV
HEBREWS 9:26-28 (26) For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (28) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. KJV
2 PETER 3:7 (7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. KJV
GIL’S COMMENT:
This phrase, “reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” refers to the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation chapter 20. The people who will be at this judgment are those who rejected Jesus Christ while living on this earth in their human bodies.
We need to note that many will be there at The Great White Throne Judgment who were deceived by the devil and the demons of hell into believing that their works would get them into Heaven. Note the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 where He said, (21) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (22) “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?” (23) “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” KJV
1 JOHN 4:16-18 (16) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. KJV
GIL’S COMMENT:
In 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, The Holy Spirit writing through the Apostle Paul stated, (1) “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (3) And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (4) Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, (5) does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, (6) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; (7) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (8) Love never fails;”
And in 1 Corinthians 13:13 He concludes, “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” NASU
Love is always the measure of the Christian. As Jesus said in John 13:34-35, (34) “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (35) “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” KJV Also in Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said, (37) “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (38) “This is the first and great commandment.” (39) “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (40) “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” KJV
JUDE (VERSE 6)
(6) And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. KJV
JUDE (VERSES 14-15) (14) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (15) To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. KJV
REVELATION 14:7 (7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. KJV
REVELATION 20:4-6 (4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (5) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. KJV
1 CORINTHIANS 3:11-15 (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. KJV
The Following is Commentary from several well-known Biblical Scholars of the past.
COMMENTARY:
1 CORINTHIANS 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[For other foundation] It is "implied" by the course of the argument here, that THIS was the foundation which had been laid at Corinth, and on which the church there had been reared. And it is AFFIRMED that no other foundation can be laid. A foundation is that upon which a building is raised; the foundation of a church is the DOCTRINE on which it is established; that is, the doctrines which its members hold-those truths which lie at the basis of their hopes, and by embracing which they have been converted to God.
[Can no man lay] That is, there is no other true foundation. [Which is Jesus Christ] Christ is often called the foundation; the stone; the cornerstone upon which the church is reared; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Peter 2:6. The meaning is, that no true church can be reared which does not embrace and hold the true doctrines respecting him-those which pertain to his incarnation, his divine nature, his instructions, his example, his atonement, his resurrection, and ascension. The reason why no true church can be established without embracing the truth as it is in Christ is, that it is by him only that people can be saved; and where THIS doctrine is missing, all is missing that enters into the essential idea of a church. The fundamental doctrines of the Christian religion must be embraced, or a church cannot exist and where those doctrines are denied no association of people can be recognized as a church of God. Nor can the foundation be modified or shaped so as to suit the wishes of people. It must be laid as it is in the Scriptures; and the superstructure must be raised upon that alone.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[Now if any man] If any teacher in the doctrines which he inculcates; or any private Christian in the hopes which he cherishes. The main discussion doubtless, has respect to the teachers of religion. Paul carries forward the metaphor in this and the following verses with respect to the building. He supposes that the FOUNDATION is laid; that it is a true foundation; that the essential doctrines in regard to the Messiah are the real basis on which the edifice is reared. But, he says, that even admitting that, it is a subject of vast importance to attend to the kind of structure which shall be reared on that; whether it shall be truly beautiful, and valuable in itself, and such as shall abide the trial of the last great Day; or whether it be mean, worthless, erroneous, and such as shall at last be destroyed. There has been some difference of opinion in regard to the interpretation of this passage, arising from the question whether the apostle designed to represent ONE or TWO buildings.
The former has been the more common interpretation, and the sense according to that is, "the true foundation is laid; but on that it is improper to place vile and worthless materials. It would be absurd to work them in with those, which are valuable; it would be absurd to work in, in rearing a building, wood, and hay, and stubble, with gold, and silver, and precious stones; there would be a lack of concinnity and beauty in this. So in the spiritual temple. There is an impropriety, an unfitness, in rearing the spiritual temple, to interweave truth with error; sound doctrine with false." See Calvin and Macknight. Grotius renders it, "Paul feigns to himself an edifice, partly regal, and partly rustic. He presents the image of a house whose walls are of marble, whose columns are made partly of gold and partly of silver, whose beams are of wood, and whose roof thatched with straw." Others, among whom are Wetstein, Doddridge, Rosenmuller, suppose that he refers to TWO buildings that might be reared on this foundation-either one that should be magnificent and splendid; or one that should be a rustic cottage, or mean hovel, thatched with straw, and made of planks of wood.
Doddridge paraphrases the passage, "`If any man builds,' I say, 'upon this foundation,' let him look to the materials and the nature of his work; whether he raise a stately and magnificent temple upon it, adorned as it were like the house of God at Jerusalem, with gold and silver, and large, beautiful, and costly stones; or a mean hovel, consisting of nothing better than planks of wood roughly put together, and thatched with hay and stubble. That is, let him look to it, whether he teach the substantial, vital truths of Christianity, and which it was intended to support and illustrate; or set himself to propagate vain subtilties and conceits on the one hand, or legal rites and Jewish traditions on the other; which although they do not entirely destroy the foundation, disgrace it, as a mean edifice would do a grand and extensive foundation laid with great pomp and solemnity." This probably expresses the correct sense of the passage. The foundation may be well laid; yet ON this foundation an edifice may be reared that shall be truly magnificent, or one that shall be mean and worthless. So the true foundation of a church may be laid, or of individual conversion to God, in the true doctrine respecting Christ. That church or that individual MAY BE built up and adorned with all the graces which truth is suited to produce; or there may be false principles and teachings superadded; doctrines that shall delude and lead astray; or views and feelings cultivated AS piety, and believed TO BE piety, which may be no part of true religion, but which are mere delusion and fanaticism.
[Gold, silver] On the meaning of these words it is not necessary to dwell; or to lay too much stress. Gold is the emblem of that which is valuable and precious, and may be the emblem of that truth and holiness which shall bear the trial of the great Day. In relation to the figure which the apostle here uses, it may refer to the fact that columns or beams in an edifice might be gilded; or perhaps, as in the temple, that they might be solid gold, so as to bear the action of intense heat; or so that fire would not destroy them-So the precious doctrines of truth, and all the feelings, views, opinions, habits, practices, which truth produces in an individual or a church, will bear the trial of the last great Day.
[Precious stones] By the stones here referred to, are not meant "gems" which are esteemed of so much value for ornaments, but beautiful and valuable marbles. The word "precious" here timious means those, which are obtained at a "price," which are costly and valuable; and is particularly applicable, therefore, to the costly marbles which were used in building. The figurative sense here does not differ materially from that conveyed by the silver and gold. By this edifice thus reared on the true foundation, we are to understand:
(1) The true doctrines which should be employed to build up a congregation-doctrines which would bear the test of the trial of the last Day; and,
(2) Such views in regard to piety, and to duty; such feelings and principles of action, as should be approved, and seen to be genuine piety in the Day of Judgment.
[Wood] That might be easily burned. An edifice reared of wood instead of marble, or slight buildings, such as were often put for up for temporary purposes in the East-as cottages, places for watching their vineyards, etc.; see my note at Isaiah 1:8.
[Hay, stubble] Used for thatching the building, or for a roof. Perhaps, also, grass was sometimes employed in some way to make the walls of the building. Such an edifice would burn readily; would be constantly exposed to take fire. By this is meant:
(1) Errors and false doctrines, such as will not be found to be true on the Day of Judgment, and as will then be swept away;
(2) Such practices and mistaken views of piety, as shall grow out of false doctrines and errors-The foundation may be firm. Those who are referred to may be building on the Lord Jesus, and may be true Christians. Yet there is much error among those who are not Christians. There are many things MISTAKEN for piety, which will yet be seen robe false. There is much enthusiasm, wildfire, fanaticism, bigotry; much affected humility; much that is supposed to be orthodoxy; much regard to forms and ceremonies; to "days, and months, and times, and years" (Gal. 9:10 ); much over-heated zeal, and much precision, and solemn sanctimoniousness; much regard for external ordinances where the heart is missing, that shall be found to be false, and that shall be swept away on the Day of Judgment.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[Every man's work shall be made manifest] What every man has built on this foundation shall be seen. Whether he has held truth or error; whether he has had correct views of piety or false; whether what he has done has been what he should have done or not.
[For the day] The Day of Judgment. The great Day, which shall reveal the secrets of all hearts, and the truth in regard to what every man has done. The event will show what edifices on the true foundation are firmly, and what are weakly built. PERHAPS the word "day" here may mean time in general, as we say, "time will show" - and as the Latin adage says, dies docebit; but it is more natural to refer it to the Day of Judgment.
[Because it shall be revealed by fire] The work, the edifice which shall be built on the true foundation shall be made known amidst the fire of the great Day. The "fire" which is here referred to, is doubtless that which shall attend the consummation of all things-the close of the world. That the world shall be destroyed by fire, and that the solemnities of the Judgment shall be ushered in by a universal conflagration, is fully and frequently revealed. See Isaiah 66:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Peter 3:7,10-11. The burning fires of that Day, Paul says, shall reveal the character of every man's work, as fire sheds light on all around, and discloses the true nature of things. It may be observed, however, that many critics suppose this to refer to the fire of persecution, etc. Macknight. Whitby supposes that the apostle refers to the approaching destruction of Jerusalem. Others, as Grotius, Rosenmuller, etc. suppose that the reference is to "time" in general; it shall be declared ere long; it shall be seen whether those things which are built on the true foundation, are true by the test of time, etc. But the most natural interpretation is that which refers it to the Day of Judgment.
[And the fire shall try every man's work] It is the property of fire to test the qualities of objects. Thus, gold and silver, so far from being destroyed by fire, are purified from dross. Wood, hay, stubble, are consumed. The power of fire to try or test the nature of metals, or other objects, is often referred to in the Scripture. Compare Isaiah 4:4; 24:15; Malachi 3:2; 1 Peter 1:7. It is not to be supposed here that the material fire of the last Day shall have any tendency to purify the soul, or to remove that which is unsound; but that the investigations and trials of the Judgment shall remove all that is evil, as fire acts with reference to gold and silver. As they are not burned but purified; as they pass unhurt through the intense heat of the furnace, so shall all that is genuine pass through the trials of the last great Day, of which trials the burning world shall be the antecedent and the emblem. That great Day shall show what is genuine and what is not.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
[If any man's work abide...] If it shall appear that he hast taught the true doctrines of Christianity, and inculcated right practices and views of piety, and himself cherished right feelings: if the trial of the great Day, when the real qualities of all objects shall be known, shall show this.
[He shall receive a reward] According to the nature of his work. See the note on 1 Corinthians 3:8. This refers, I suppose, to the proper rewards on the Day of Judgment, and not to the honors and the recompense which he may receive in this world. If all that he has taught and done shall be proved to have been genuine and pure, then his reward shall be in proportion.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
[If any man's work shall be burned] If it shall not be found to hear the test of the investigation of that Day-as a cottage of wood, hay, and stubble would not bear the application of fire. If his doctrines have not been true; if he has had mistaken views of piety; if he has nourished feelings which HE thought were those of religion; and inculcated practices which, however well meant, are not such as the gospel produces; if he has fallen into error of opinion, feeling, practice, however conscientious, yet he shall suffer loss.
[He shall suffer loss]:
(1) He shall NOT be elevated to as high a rank and to as high happiness as he otherwise would. That which he supposed would be regarded as acceptable by the Judge, and rewarded accordingly, shall be stripped away, and shown to be unfounded and false; and in consequence, he shall not obtain those elevated rewards, which he anticipated. This, compared with what he expected, may be regarded as a loss.
(2) He shall be injuriously affected by this forever. It shall be a DETRIMENT to him to all eternity. The effects shall be felt in all his residence in heaven-not producing misery but attending him with the consciousness that he MIGHT have been raised to superior bliss in the eternal abode-The phrase here literally means, "he shall be mulcted." The word is a legal term, and means that he shall be fined, that is, he shall suffer detriment.
[But he himself shall be saved] The apostle all along has supposed that the true foundation was laid (1 Corinthians 3:11), and if that is laid, and the edifice is reared upon that, the person who does it shall be safe. There may be much error, and many false views of religion, and much imperfection; still the man that is building on the true foundation shall be safe. His errors and imperfections shall be removed, and he may occupy a lower place in heaven, but he shall be safe.
[Yet so as by fire] hoos dia puros. This passage has greatly perplexed commentators; but probably without any good reason. The apostle does not say that Christians will be doomed to the fires of purgatory; nor that they will pass through fire; nor that they will be exposed to pains and punishment at all; but he "simply carries out the figure" which he commenced, and says that they will be saved, AS IF the action of fire had been felt on the edifice on which he is speaking. That is, AS fire would consume the wood, hay, and stubble, so on the great Day everything that is erroneous and imperfect in Christiana shall be removed, and that which is true and genuine shall be preserved AS IF it had passed through fire. Their whole character and opinions shall be investigated; and that which is good shall be approved; and that which is false and erroneous be removed.
The idea is not that of a man whose house is burnt over his head and who escapes through the flames, nor that of a man who is subjected to the pains and fires of purgatory; but that of a man who had been spending his time and strength to little purpose; who had built, indeed, on the true foundation, but who had reared so much on it which was unsound, and erroneous, and false, that he himself would be saved with great difficulty, and with the loss of much of that reward which he had expected, AS IF the fire had passed over him and his works. The simple idea, therefore, is, that that which is genuine and valuable in his doctrines and works, shall be rewarded, and the man shall be saved; that which is not sound and genuine, shall be removed, and he shall suffer loss. Some of the fathers, indeed, admitted that this passage taught that all people would be subjected to the action of fire in the great conflagration with which the world shall close; that the wicked shall be consumed; and that the righteous are to suffer, some more and some less, according to their character. On passages like this, the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory is based. But we may observe:
(1) That this passage does not necessarily or naturally give any such idea. The interpretation stated above is the NATURAL interpretation, and one which the passage will not only bear, but which it demands.
(2) IF this passage WOULD give any countenance to the absurd and unscriptural idea that the souls of the righteous at the Day of Judgment are to be re-united to their bodies, in order to be subjected to the action of intense heat, to be brought from the abodes of bliss and compelled to undergo the burning fires of the last conflagration, still it would give no countenance to the still more absurd and unscriptural opinion that those fires have been and are still burning; that all souls are to be subjected to them; and that they can be removed only by masses offered for the dead, and by the prayers of the living. The idea of danger and peril is, indeed, in this text; but the idea of personal salvation is retained and conveyed.
(From Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Pastor J. Gilbert Hammond