How Do I Respond to God?
By Being Prepared
By Larry Fayer
It is no secret that every one of us must face the fact that we will all die someday. It’s not an easy concept to wrap our heads around. It’s much easier to think of someone we don’t know well, a friend, a coworker, just about anybody except ourselves dying than it is to think about that happening to ourselves. But Hebrews 9:27 tells us in a straightforward manner, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
For some, that judgment will be a time of rejoicing – for others not so much. But since we will all face the judgment it is important that we prepare for it. Paul warned the Philippians (2:10-12) “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Peter’s response was similar: 2 Peter 3:11 “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.”
It just makes sense that, if we are going to face something as sure and important as the judgment, we should prepare for it. How do we do that? Over this set of lessons I will give you the answer from the Bible. I hope you’ll read each section and consider your own response to God in light of what the scriptures have to say.