The Day of Reckoning

Sometimes I find it difficult to understand what God is doing, or perhaps not doing, when something doesn’t seem to be ‘fair`. I catch myself thinking, “Come on God. Do something. Don`t You see the injustice?” Clearly my idea of justice doesn’t always align with God’s, which shouldn’t be a surprise, because His ways are not my ways, and the way He thinks and sees things isn’t the same as the way I do (Isaiah 55:8).

But one thing is clear. God is a just God.

`He is the Rock; His work is perfect for all His ways are justice. A God of truth and without injustice, righteous and upright is He (Deuteronomy 32:4).

As we consider our world, it’s difficult not to be aware of some glaring injustices that seem to go on without any questioning, and sometimes even seem to be rewarded. I find it comforting (but also a bit personally challenging), to know that there will be a day of true reckoning. On that day, every person from every organisation, and from every nation, will have to give account of their actions. Were they just or not?

Jesus points to this day in the parable of the talents when He is clear that on a given day the lord of the servants came back, ‘to settle accounts’ with them, or some versions say, to ‘reckon’ with them (Matthew 25:19). It was a day of reckoning for those servants.

Paul is clear about his understanding that this day of reckoning will surely come for us all.

`For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad` (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV).

But, despite the fact that our God will one day condemn and punish all injustice, the amazing truth is that, until that day comes, He is reaching out to those whom He will one day call to account. They are those who are rebelling against Him and His ways, the ways of righteousness and justice. God says, `I have stretched out my hands all day long to rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts` (Isaiah 65:2, NKJV).

God’s arms are open, and His love is still offered to all people, even those who are rebellious, evil, or unjust. He longs for them to repent of following their own selfish and unrighteous ways. If they don’t heed His call ‘while in the body’ then the day of reckoning is a day that they should fear.

In our world, where there is so much obvious injustice, we need to intercede for those who perpetrate it, or allow it to continue, that something of the love of God will break through into their lives and they will wake up to the knowledge that a reckoning is coming. Only turning to Jesus will change the outcome.

And, in our own lives, as we seek to become more like Jesus, we need to be aware of our own actions that may cause, or lead to, unjust situations for people whom God created and loves. It’s a challenge, but one day we will have to give account of all our actions.

On that day, the day of reckoning, all injustice will be exposed, and all wrongs will be righted. There is no injustice in the Kingdom of Heaven.