Good students study the questions that will be on the exam. No point in wasting time with non-essentials.

There will be a final exam, and Jesus Christ will be the grader. 2 Cor. 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

Do you see that He’s given away the question on the final exam? We will be graded on whether we have done good or evil!

When we hear that, immediately we are thinking morality. “Good? That’s giving to charity, going to church, not cussing… Evil? That’s cheating on the taxes, selling drugs…” But the Bible makes it very clear there is no one who does good. (Romans 3:10)

Now what? If no one can do good, and we are going to be graded on it, what chance do we have? We must rely on Christ to impute His goodness on us. And from that point on, we do everything by faith in Him who made us good.

“For whatever does not come from faith is sin.” Rom 14:23b

So, how do we do good? They can only be done by Christians who do things out of faith.

If in doubt (as to whether it’s good or not), ask yourself, “Can I truly say that this will increase my joy in God?” That’s a very different question than, “Will I get in trouble if I do this?” In the former, you are asking the question of faith. In the latter, there is no faith involved.

What a beautiful day today. As you look out the window today at work, at school, at home, thank God that He’s given you breath for this hour and live this moment in gratitude and joy. That’s living by faith!

PH