"SO SPEAK YE, AND SO DO"

Jas. 2:1-13.

INTRO:

1. There have been many lessons taught on the subject of the Judgement Day of God.

2. It has been approached from many different angles.

3. In this study, I want to approach the subject from the standpoint of what is said in Jas. 2:12,13.

A. "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment."

4.As we have seen from the text of our lesson, this statement is the conclusion of an effort by James to show that these Christians were inconsistent and wrong in showing respect of persons.

5. And in telling them this, he gave them somewhat of on outline of the judgment which is to be.

I. THE JUDGMENT IS CERTAIN, IT IS TRULY COMING.

A. Even though men find the idea distasteful, and even though some deny that it will be, still the certainty of the judgment is taught in many places in the Bible.

1. The First Psalm tells of judgment.

2. Jesus talks about it in Matt.25:31-46; Jno. 5:28,29.

3. Paul mentions it in Acts 17:30,31.

4. It was a part of the preaching of Paul to Felix in Acts 24:25.

5. The writer of the Hebrew Letter tells us that the judgment is just as certain as death. Heb. 9:27.

6. Paul warned the Corinthians of the judgment to come. 2 Cor. 5:9,10.

II. THE JUDGMENT IS FOR ALL, NONE WILL ESCAPE IT.

A. Yes, just as it is appointed for all to die, it is also appointed for all to be judged. Heb. 9:27.

1. Paul told the Corinthians that ALL must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Cor. 5:10.

a. But it will also be an individual matter, "Each One."

2. In Acts 10:42, it is said that Christ would be the judge of both the living and the dead.

3. Paul also told the Romans that all will stand before the judgment seat of God. Rom. 14:10.

III. THE WORD OF GOD WILL BE THE STANDARD BY WHICH WE WILL BE JUDGED.

A. Having stated that the judgment was sure to be, James proceeds to tell what the standard will be by which all men shall be judged.

1. He tells us that we will be judged by the law of liberty, which is the perfect standard of authority. Jas. 1:25; Rev. 20:11-15.

2. It needs to be stressed just here, that this judgment will not be based on our feelings, our wishes, our thoughts, or what men have said.

3. Jesus said, while He was still upon this earth, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." Jno. 12:48.

4. Paul said, "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Rom. 2:16; Phil. 4:3.

5. No doubt, it will be a big surprise to many to find out at the last day that they are going to be judged by what the Bible taught.

IV. NOT ONLY OUR ACTIONS, BUT OUR WORDS ALSO WILL BE A CONSIDERATION IN OUR JUDGMENT ON THAT DAY.

A. Note what James says in chapter 2, verse 12.

1. Jesus also warns concerning our speech, in view of the judgment. Matt. 12:36,37.

2. From scriptures that we have already noted in this study, we have seen that men are going to be judged by their works. 2 Cor. 5;10; Rom. 14:10.

3. But, let us take time to look at one more that is found in the very last book of the Bible. Rev. 20:12,13.

B. Even our thoughts are to be a consideration in the day of judgment.

1. Paul speaks of thoughts or reasonings of men as the secrets of men that will be judged. Rom. 2:15,16.

2. Jesus talks about thoughts that will condemn. Matt. 5:27,28.

3. Peter told Simon the sorcerer to pray God that the very thoughts of his heart be forgiven him. Acts 8:22.

4. Solomon goes so far as to say: "The thought of foolishness is sin." Prov. 24:9.

C. So, no doubt, many of us will be amazed at some of the things which we will find charged against us at the judgment.

V. THE TIME OR DAY OF JUDGMENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE DAY OF THE LORD'S RETURN.

A. Concerning that day, the Lord said: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matt. 24: 36.

1. He then says that the important thing is to be ready for that day to come. Matt. 24:42.

2. If we are prepared and ready, then it will not make any difference when the time is.

B. The fact that the judgment has not come yet, does not mean that it is not coming. 2 Pet. 3:1-7.

VI. WHAT WILL BE THE VERDICT ON THAT DAY?

A. The verdict handed down by the Judge on that day depends upon us now. Jas. 1:19-25; 2 Pet. 1:1-11; Isa. 66:2.

1. The judgment will not be a time of trial, God will already have in hand all the evidence.

2. We are told that He knows the righteous. 1 Pet. 3:12; 2 Pet. 2:1-9.

3. But we are also told that unbelievers are already under condemnation. Jno. 3:18.

4. The judgment will be a time for receiving the righteous unto Himself and of casting the unrighteous into outer darkness.

CONCLUSION:

1. Yes, there is a great day coming. Are you ready for that day to come?

2. When you stand before the bar of God on that day, what will your answer be?

3. Remember, that the wicked will not be able to stand in the day of judgment.

4. Why not obey Him today, that you might be able to hear Him say on that day: "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." ?

5. If you do not obey Him in this life, you will hear Him say, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

By Jim Sasser

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