The Daily Word of Righteousness

Two Sons

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. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

In the day of reckoning God called two of His sons to stand before Him.

To the first son God said: "Son, I have loved you with an everlasting love. I found you when you were a Gentile without hope, in the guilt of your sins, in the filthiness and pride of your self-centeredness and self-love. I said to you at that time, ‘Live!' And you came to life in My Presence.

"I forgave your many sins. I taught you to take up your cross so you would have the opportunity to overcome your self-centeredness. I gave you the gift of My Son and put My Spirit in you. I watched over you night and day and guided you with My eye. Many times I forgave your ignorance and foolishness. All these things I did for you that I may be your God and you may be My son.

"What, therefore, have you done with your life?"

The first son answered God and said, "My Father and my God. I thank and praise You that You saw fit to reach down from Heaven and save me. Since that time I have served You with all my heart. Although I behaved ignorantly and foolishly on many occasions, when You corrected me I changed my ways and ceased from sin and rebellion.

"I redeemed the time to the best of my ability. I never sinned knowingly and willfully. Many times I set aside my greatest desires and chose to do Your will instead.

"I have laid down my life, have taken up my cross, and have followed Your Son, Jesus Christ. Whatever He has said to me I have done, as He has given me wisdom and strength.

"I have prayed, studied the Scriptures, and have fellowshiped with the saints. I have been loyal to my wife, family, and friends. I harbor hatred against no person but would rejoice to see everyone enter the Kingdom of God.

"I have been diligent in the ministry Christ has given to me and have placed the work of the Kingdom of God first in importance. I did not spend my days cultivating my own abilities or insuring my own security. Many have turned to righteousness as a result of my testimony.

"I have cheated no person but have made restitution whenever it has been clear that I should do so.

"This is what I have done with my life, as the Lord Jesus has helped and guided me through the Holy Spirit.

"I stand ready now to do, by Your grace, whatever You would have me to do."

To the second son God said: "Son, I have loved you with an everlasting love. I found you when you were a Gentile without hope, in the guilt of your sins, in the filthiness and pride of your self-centeredness and self-love. I said to you at that time, ‘Live!' And you came to life in My Presence.

"I forgave your many sins. I taught you to take up your cross so you would have the opportunity to overcome your self-centeredness. I gave you the gift of My Son and put My Spirit in you. I watched over you night and day and guided you with My eye. Many times I forgave your ignorance and foolishness. All these things I did for you that I may be your God and you may be My son.

"What, therefore, have you done with your life?"

To be continued.