Standing Before the Lord

 I am glad I was never sent to the principal's office when I was in school. I would have been scared to death to face him. Also, I am thankful that I have not had to go to court to face a judge because of something I have done wrong. I have had traffic tickets, but I always just paid them, instead of going to court. However, one day we will all stand before Someone who is much more imposing than a principal or an earthly judge. We will all stand before the Lord.

Malachi gave us a clear message about what that experience will be like. (Malachi 3:2) He conjectured about who will be able to endure that day and stand before the Lord. Then, He told us that the Lord will be like a refiner's fire and a launderer's soap. I believe that gives us all the insight we need to prepare for the day we give an account of our lives to the Lord. Let's think about what he said for a moment.

A refiner's fire is very hot. It heats the metal so hot that it melts. Then, the impurities come to the surface so they can be removed, leaving a pure metal. That is what the Lord wants from all of us. He wants us to have a pure heart before Him. He doesn't want us to have any allegiance to anyone, but Him when we go to heaven. Then, when we are wholly devoted to Him, we will be ready to serve Him perfectly in heaven forever. That is why He will purify us on that day.

A launderer's soap is effective at removing any dirt and stains from the fabric. It makes the clothes radiant with no soiled spots to mar their appearance. We, as believers, have been forgiven and cleansed of our sins when we came to know Jesus. Those sins are washed away. However, when we sin after we get saved, we are admonished to "confess" our sins. Then, the Lord will cleanse us, so we can have a close relationship with Him. I believe that day we will be given the opportunity to confess any of them we have missed, so we will have a perfect relationship with Jesus and others for eternity.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 1-3