Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

Introduction

Deeds for which there are no punishments are easily done without the normal sting of consciousness. And I believe that this is why we are experiencing a time now when men are now their own lawgivers. Things that they deem as harmless, they have no problem doing. And it is not for anyone to tell them differently, they have convinced themselves that because they have declared their own verdicts that it is binding with God. As if God is going to take recommendations when He calls your name. We are all traveling down the same road called life. And life should be viewed not as a time to live free without standards and regulations, but as a time to prepare for eternity and help others prepare as well. Because oneday it's going to be over and who shall be able to stand?

Is There Anyone Who Understands What Consequences Are?

The prevailing opinion today is that this is my life and no one has a right to tell me how to live it. This has subsequently led to a time of arrogance and ignorance.....A DANGEROUS COMBINATION! And now we see things as right because we say that they are right, not because they are built on a foundation of truth. Therefore, anything that I want to do is automatically right because it's what I want to do. Never once considering that consequences are sure to follow.

• In the Bahamas this week the story that was aired everytime I turned on the television was of five gang members who were robbing Dunkin Donuts Establishments all over Miami. And when they finally caught the first three they asked them why they were robbing and shooting patrons in these restaurants. One of the unrepentant shooters said simply " I did it to up my body count".
1. Then the judge began to talk to one suspect about the seriousness of the case only to have the young man get inthe microphone and bark like a dog.
2. The judge asked him again if he understood that he could face the possibility of life in prison or worse, the death penalty only to have him bark like a dog again.
3. This is what the devil desires to do. Blind us to the truth that consequences are sometimes more than we ever imagined that they would be.

Life Is Going To Catch Up With You

The Bible declares in Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Which simply means that it is there is a part of the human consciousness that leads us to believe that the punishment for our deeds will be averted based on the longsuffering of God. But there is coming a time when God is going to call it in.

• It matters not how long you have gotten by, the truth is that you will never get away!
1. If you only knew what lay ahead of you, you would consider your ways.
2. You would come to see that no one that you know has ever really gotten away from the natural consequences.
3. They say that the FBI always gets their man.
4. Even if there is someone who slips through the cracks and evades the FBI, how will you evade the judgment of God?
5. You can hide from the authorities, but you can't hide from God; because the soul shall return to it's Maker, and one day you will be conscious on this side and the next experience that you will have is YOU STANDING BEFORE THE LORD NOT KNOWING HOW YOU GOT THERE!
6. Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

You Will Stand Before God To Be Judged!

As if it wasn't bad enough that life judges you through the reaping of consequences from the misdeeds of our lives, there is a Supreme Judge Whose judgment goes far beyond natural punishments. His punishment is so severe that it's duration spans eternity.

• And in that punishment you will feel the full extent of the wrath of God!
1. We are so used to hearing that God can bless you so much that you can't stand it, but nobody wants to talk about the extent to which He can punish you.
2. And if God can love you out of your mind, how severely can He punish you.
• And what will you say when you stand before God and He requires your life at your hands.
1. You have been trusting in everything else but God, but what will they be able to do for you when you stand before God?
2. What will your money do?
3. If you died right now, is there enough money in your pocket to bribe God?
4. Can your money save you from the wrath of God?
5. All of the influences in your life will do no good when you stand before God.
6. Gang members won't have the support of the brotherhood when they stand before God.
7. Self-righteous, for all of your coming to church and counting that as salvation, will all of your deeds get you into the kingdom?
• What if you get there and hear Him say that your name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life?