The other day I was thinking about God's judgement and forgiveness. Jesus says, in Matthew 12:36: I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgement for every empty word they have spoken. 37: For by your words you will be aquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
The verses say, everyone, including Christians. Why is it by our words (not our actions even), that we are condemned? These 2 verses seem to be confusing because the Bible also says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
I was thinking, if God has already forgiven us, then why will He judge us? Is there a jail in heaven that you have to spend time in for a while if you deserve a sentence for something you did/say or didn't do/say?
As I was thinking about it, I couldn't understand, why is there judgement and accountability after we have already been saved? Then am I really forgiven?
Usually, when there is a question I have in my mind about a particular verse in the Bible, it's useful to find other passages about the same topic, or to read around the verse, to put it into context.
In Matthew 12, Jesus was talking to the Pharisees, who had just accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan. In verses 31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees that "If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you're sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives" (Message version).
In other words, if you won't accept forgiveness, then you won't receive it. It's like someone leaving a Christmas gift for you under the tree that will make your life a whole lot better, but you refuse to go and open it. Or, you open it, then trash it when you find out what it is. Maybe that's what the Pharisees did. They trashed what they knew was God's gift. It's not like they didn't know about it. So if you want forgiveness, you have to realise your fault, ask for forgiveness, and accept it, and be grateful for it. How does this relate to us giving an account for the words we have spoken?
One answer could be, that if we have to account for all the wrong and idle things we said, when we stand (or bow face down?) before God, we could ask Him for forgiveness when we meet Him. However, I'm still not sure if that's the answer, asking God to forgive me again, when He said that He has already forgiven me for past, present and future sins (including sinful words).
Possibly, even if we have spoken regrettable things in the past (or will in the future), we could be condemned for it. BUT....
Is it God who condemns us?
Verse 37: For by your words you will be aquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
The verse does not say, "God will condemn you for your words".
Does this then mean we should be relieved? Maybe not. Who, or what is going to condemn us for our words? I will tell you why I think it is not a "who".
Romans 8.33-
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Therefore, God does not, and will not condemn us for our words. He is even interceding for us, and is on OUR side. He's like, our lawyer, as well as our judge.
Sometimes, it's not about looking around the passage for the answer, it's shortening the verse:
by your words you will be condemned
Our own words condemn us!
The message version says, "Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation".
It's not someone else's words condemning us, it's our own. Have you ever said something you've regretted? Sometimes, it's easier to deal with the things that have been said to us, than with the words we've said to others. Even when we know that we've been forgiven, there are still consequences for our actions. And our words. More often, we think, "I wish I'd never said that to him/her", instead of "I wish he/she never said that to me".
I know that you know how powerful words are, and there are many verses in the Bible that tell you about how they reflect what's in the heart, and how they can direct our life.
"Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief" - Proverbs 21:23
So, be careful about what you say, because those words in themselves will be your regret or your blessing. Guard your heart, be wise, and make every word you say count for good...because it can!
Blogger needs a like button :)
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