It is (Hebrews 9:27) “…appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”  Therefore, we all can conclude thoughts on life by knowing that when all is said and done we will be judged for it.  Some people think the little things in life do not matter.  The young man may think his words of frustration (in a language he ought not to speak) while working on his car will not matter.  A mother may think her slothfulness during the day while no one is around to watch, will not matter.  However, the Scriptures conclude: (Matthew 12:36) “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”  (II Corinthians 5:10) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”  Therefore, you can know that when it is all said and done, you will be held accountable for what you have said and done!

     Elders, when it is all said and done, your leadership or lack thereof within the body of Christ will be brought into judgment.  The Lord has given elders the work of oversight, instruction, protection, guidance, and balance (Acts 20:28 and I Peter 5:1-3).  Elders need to be informed that they may protect the flock and instruct the gainsayers (Titus 1:9).  Elders cannot be dependent upon the leadership of preachers, or strong minds.  Elders must be able to do their own work and they must meet the qualifications set forth in the New Testament (I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9).  Dear elders, when it is all said and done will you be prepared to meet the Lord?

     Doing the work of a preacher is not something to be taken lightly (James 3:1).  To dedicate oneself to the furtherance of the Kingdom through proclamation of the word of God is an honor and privilege.  Preachers of the Gospel have the responsibility to teach only that which appears in the word of God (II Timothy 4:2 and I Peter 4:11).  Men of God who dedicate themselves in this avenue of work for the Lord cannot be influenced by outside sources, but must be solely dedicated to instructing others in what God has revealed (Galatians 1:10-12).  Preachers cannot be individuals who spend more time on the CPU or golf course, than in preparation and the teaching God’s word.  A preacher on should be able to say: (Acts 20:26-27) “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”  Dear preachers, when it is all said and done will you be prepared to meet the Lord?

     The work of a deacon is vital in a scripturally organized local congregation.  Deacons are to meet the qualifications that Paul listed to Timothy (I Timothy 3:8-13).  Being a deacon is a busy work.  Those appointed as servants in Acts 6:1ff. were responsible for a work that would have occupied much time and this is often cited as a good example of the work of a deacon.  Deacons allow the elders to carry on the work of oversight and teaching while also allowing the preacher to evangelize without having the other matters in a local congregation fall to the side.  This is a significant role that God designed to be filled.  Dear deacons, when it is all said and done will you be prepared to meet the Lord?

     As members in a local congregation there is much to be done.  When you put your money in the collection plate on the first day of the week (as you ought to do – I Corinthians 16:1-2) that is not all there is in your work.  As Christians there is much to be done.  For one, Christian men should be striving to be deacons and elders.  Christian men should be involved in leading in worship and growing that they may be teachers in a local work (Hebrews 5:12-14).  Christian women should be guiding the home (Titus 2:5).  The older Christian women should be helping the younger to meet their God given roles (Titus 2:3-5).  Women are often the backbone of the men who lead in local works (I for one can say that).  All Christians have the responsibility of evangelism (Acts 5:42, Acts 6:7, and Acts 20:20).  All Christians should be examples for the world to see and follow (Matthew 5:14-16 and Philippians 2:15-16).

     Every Christian is to grow and mature spiritually (II Peter 1:5-10 and II Peter 3:18).  Studying (John 5:39), attending every meeting of the local church (Hebrews 10:25), worshipping correctly (John 4:23-24), loving your brethren (Hebrews 13:1), loving your neighbors (Matthew 22:39), and producing the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are just small portions of obeying every part of the word of God (James 2:10).  Dear Christians, when it is all said and done will you be prepared to meet the Lord?

     Christian mothers and fathers form the building blocks for the church of tomorrow by being good parents and training up their children properly.  If the home is properly guided and the word of God is the center of our home lives, our children will take what we have instilled in them to further the kingdom for years to come.  The Scriptures conclude: (Proverbs 22:6) “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  What greater home could a child be raised other than that of faithful Christians?

     Husbands and wives ought to treat each other with love and respect.  The Lord likened His love for the church to that of the love between a man and his bride (Ephesians 5:22-32).  Wives are to be submissive and husbands should be godly to help their wives follow their lead.  Paul concluded: (Ephesians 5:33) “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”  Husbands and wives, when it is all said and done will you be prepared to meet the Lord?

    A non-Christian is someone who has not obeyed the Gospel through faith, repentance, confession, and immersion in Christ through water (Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 2:38, and Galatians 3:27).  For those who have not done so, there is one of two realities.  One: that person may be too young or mentally incapable of knowing right from wrong.  If that is the case, they do not have sins to be remitted as sin is an action that can only be committed by those of capable minds (James 4:17 and I John 3:4).  The second reality is for one who is at a mental point wherein they know right from wrong.  To that person, the Scriptures teach: (II Thessalonians 1:8-9) “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”  If you are that person, I need not ask you if you will be prepared to meet the Lord when it is all said and done, for you currently are not!

     The whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  The reason: (Ecclesiastes 12:14) “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.”  God is not fooled by our seeming delusions, He knows our hearts and our secrets are uncovered before Him (Hebrews 4:13).   Knowing the terror of the Lord I wrote this article that just touches on some aspects of the life of a Christian and a thought to those who are not Christians.  Much more could be said.  Those who do not examine themselves are not concerned about eternity for whatever reasons.  Sadly, many will stand unprepared to meet the Lord having taken this life as a meaningless existence.  Dear reader, your life is a stage and your performance will be judged by the greatest Judge of all.  So I must ask in conclusion, when it is all said and done, will you be prepared to meet the Lord?