God's judgment operates in two distinct ways: His interventions in present history and His final Judgment at the end of time. While He sometimes brings immediate judgment upon nations and churches in this life, as seen in the Flood and Sodom and Gomorrah, He also has a formal Judgment moment! At the end of the age. Christians will face the Judgment Seat (Bema) of Christ where their works will be tested by fire and non-Christians similarly face final Judgment in the Lake of Fire of the Book of Revelation. Those who reject God's free offer of righteousness given through the Gospel face an eternal judgment, precisely because they have left themselves "in their sins". Christ's forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice offers complete cleansing from all unrighteousness for those who come by faith to Christ, confessing their sins. The severity of both God's judgment and His forgiveness are both the outworking of His perfect righteousness and justice.
Christian conversion is more than a change of religion or joining a church; it is a spiritual awakening brought about by the Holy Spirit. This awakening involves a conviction of sin, a turning to Christ as Saviour, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. The process of conversion is often contested by Satan, but Christ intercedes on our behalf. True conversion results in a transformed life, described in Scripture as being 'snatched from the burning'. The need for genuine conversion applies not only to individuals but also to entire communities and nations.
God's love for us precedes our love for Him. This truth is central to understanding spiritual awakening and growth in the Christian life. Many believers struggle to live out their faith fully, but there is a deeper work of the Holy Spirit available—an awakening that leads to spiritual vitality. This awakening often begins with prayer and a renewed awareness of Christ's constraining love. His love holds us fast, like a safety cord for mountain climbers, allowing us to persevere in our spiritual journey despite our weaknesses and failures. The Western Church is in great need of such an awakening to rekindle its love for Christ and experience His transformative power.
"I don't know about you, but wanting to think of yourself as able to maintain an enthusiasm for Christ across all the differences in the times and the changes in seasons and all the difficulties that come to us is a very good way to know from the scriptures that can be done. The heart of an enthusiast."
Bible Text: Genesis 1:26-30, 9:6, Hebrews 1:1-4, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 3:18 | Speaker: Rev Dr Jim Gibson
Bible Text: Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 1 Timothy 1:5, James 3:17, 1 Peter 1:22 | Speaker: Rev Dr Jim Gibson
Bible Text: Ephesians 1:11-14, Romans 4:6-8, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 | Speaker: Rev Dr Jim Gibson | Series: Ephesians
Bible Text: Colossians 1:14-16, John 12:32-37, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 | Speaker: Rev Dr Jim Gibson
Bible Text: Romans 5:12-21, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 | Speaker: Rev Dr Jim Gibson | Series: Expositions about Christian Victory
Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1, 1:18, 2 Corinthians 2:15 | Speaker: Rev Dr Jim Gibson | Series: 1 Corinthians