Make Every Day CountSample

Live Reverently!
By Rev. Patrick Feldhus 

It can be hard to find an impartial judge. Everyone has a slight bias toward one philosophy or another. But on the rare occasion that you find a judge who just sticks to the evidence, it is refreshing. The judge tends to gain respect from people because he or she does not take sides but instead listens to the evidence. The judge is not swayed by public opinion or ideology. 

Now, apply this to the Father! He does not judge according to emotion. He does not judge based on a group. He judges each person based on his or her own merit. The Father follows the evidence in his judgment! He will base his judgment according to his law and his interpretation of that law. 

Each person’s work will be judged according to God’s law, and he will not compare you with another. Knowing this can fill people with dread. There is no way around this judgment unless someone steps in to do something about it. 

Our Father chose to judge his Son in your place. Jesus was put in the hot seat for you. He was declared “guilty” for you. Jesus did not try to defend himself but willingly took that “guilty” verdict for everyone, including you!

This changes everything! 

· Your Father allowed Jesus to free you from guilt. 

· Your Father chose to send Jesus to hell so that you can be in heaven with him. 

· You are strangers here. Heaven is your home! 

How do you respond to this good news? Honor and respect the one who died and rose for you. By doing this, you will live reverently. By living to honor the Lord, you will be declaring the praise of him who brought you from darkness to light, the one who brought you out of hell and placed you in heaven. 

Prayer: Dear Holy Father! Thank you for giving Jesus our guilt and for giving us a new home in the glories of heaven. Help us to honor you and your Son every day as we live reverently! In Christ’s name we pray.