While eternal life is a free gift given on the basis of God’s grace, “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8—each of us will still be judged by Christ.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” 2 Corinthians 5:10.
All Christians must give an account of how we lived –not to see if we get to heaven, not to be condemned for our forgiven sin for that is thrown in the deepest sea. “….I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12) but to acknowledge how much heaven was seen in us on earth and to confess the sins that we never acknowledged or asked God to forgive..
God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from faithful obedience, nor does it free us from earthly heartache and pain, but it does assure us of the comfort of God’s love.
We live each day with a heart full of gratitude for the gift of salvation from our Heavenly Father. Like a loving parent, God wants us to make Him proud.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane