As Solomon gave the final parting words in the book of Ecclesiastes, he issued a plea to readers to exercise the fear of the Lord and to obey Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Then, he gave the reason behind this plea, which we looked at in our Bible study time yesterday: we will stand before God and give an account for how we lived this life on earth (verse 14). This truth gives us every reason to focus on Him and to live solely for Him. Ecclesiastes is not the only place where we learn that everyone will give an account of how we lived our lives; however. During His ministry on earth, Jesus talked about the judgment before God we will face one day. He said in Matthew 12, “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad…A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (verse 37). We will stand before God on judgment day, and our fruit, the things we said and did as we lived our lives here on earth, will prove the state of our hearts.
During the weekend message, we were reminded of the two different types of judgment that will take place one day. The first is known as the Great White Throne Judgment. We learn about this judgment in Revelation 20. This judgment is for those who have not placed their faith in Christ. Those who chose not to place their faith in Christ will be condemned for rejecting Christ and for their actions, and “thrown into the lake of fire,” set to spend an eternity apart from Christ (verses 12-15). The second judgment is what followers of Christ will face, the Bema Seat Judgment. We learn about this judgment in 1st Corinthians 3. This passage of Scripture reveals that all followers of Christ are building on the foundation of Christ, using their gifts and resources that God has given them to know Christ and to make Christ known (verses 10-11). At this judgment, we followers of Christ will be judged for how we leveraged our gifts, talents, and resources, and will be rewarded accordingly (verses 12-15). After studying these judgments, we can be certain that the way we live each and every day is significant and matters for eternity. Every day is an opportunity to honor God and an investment in eternity.
The question we have to answer today is what kind of fruit are we producing with our lives? Are we producing good fruit that shows evidence of spiritual growth and a commitment to make Christ known everywhere around us, or does our fruit reveal that we are living for ourselves alone? Let’s commit to living for the things of eternity that will last forever so we will be ready to stand before God one day.
Take a few moments to get alone with God and pray. Invite Him to search your heart and reveal areas where there is room for growth in how you are leveraging the one life God has given you for His kingdom. As He reveals any sin or area that needs to change, take steps to confess any sin or make necessary changes, remembering that as you do these things, you are investing in the things of eternity.
22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”
24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
