Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

“Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4, NASB).

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment...” (Heb 10:26,27, NASB). Note Ps 89:14.

“For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding Him up to contempt” (Heb 6:4-6). Note Matt 12:31,32.

“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty [the Ten Commandments. Here’s the key: In the context of salvation (Justification – right standing before God), law keeping is of no avail, but in the context of Christian conduct Sanctification – right living before God), God’s law has value and validity]” (James 2:12, NASB).

‘Because He [the Father] has fixed a day [time] on which He will have the world [us] judged in righteousness by a Man [Christ] whom He has appointed, and of this He has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead [Christ’s resurrection]” (Acts 17:31). Note John 5:27; 2 Cor 5:10.

“For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing...”  (Eccl 12:14, NKJV). Note Matt 12:36,37; James 4:12.

“Now as he [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix [a Roman governor] was afraid...” (Acts 24:25, NKJV).

“Saying [the angel] with a loud voice, ‘Fear God [a due deep respect] and give glory to Him [honor Him], for the hour [the period] of His judgment has come [in other words, is currently in session, as He is bringing His reward with Him]...’ ” (Rev 14:7, NKJV).

“Then the temple [sanctuary] of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant [the depository of the Ten Commandments (1 Kings 8:9)] was seen in His temple [this argues eloquently of the Ten Commandments ‘centrality’ in earth’s final hours]...” (Rev 11:19, NKJV). Note Heb 9:4,24; 7:25.

“As I watched, thrones were set in place [a symbolic representation of the great final trial, fixing the destinies of men and of nations, now in process]...The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened [the Bible according to whose standard men are judged (the Ten Commandments – James 2:12); the book of death containing the record of the deeds of the unrepentant (Rev 20:12,15; Eccl 12:14; 2 Cor 5:10); the book of remembrance containing the record of the good deeds of the saints (Mal 3:16); and the book of life containing the names of the saved, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour (Rev 3:5)]” (Dan 7:9,10).

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life [containing the names of the saved]. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books [a written record of the sinful deeds of the unrepentant]” (Rev 20:12, NKJV).

“ ‘Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven ’ ” (Matt 7:21, NKJV).

“Since every thing will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and Godly lives”  (2 Peter 3:11, NIV).

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Rev 22:14, NKJV). Note James 2:24,26; Rom 8:6-8.

Yes, A Judgment Does Take Place

The Bible informs us about a solemn Judgment that takes place,
It stating that before His return, Christ will judge the human race.
Therefore, we’re warned in Revelation that this Judgment has begun,
So clearly, each one’s record is being examined by Christ the Son. 

Yes, all throughout the Word of God many references are made
To this period of Judgment where every person’s life will be weighed.
Hence why a court room's depicted where both the Father and the Son
Their just and careful scrutiny up in Heaven have now begun.

Paul warned a Roman governor who trembled at the very thought
Of this coming time of Judgment that's set in a heavenly court.
And those serious wheels of heavenly justice began to turn
Sometime after our Saviour's ascension, we, via Paul’s warning learn.

You see, God has a standard that He expects all to uphold,
And that such is His Ten Commandments, we, in the Scriptures are told.
The Scriptures call sin “lawlessness,” — therefore, to break God’s Law is sin,
And wilful sin will just void His grace, as rebellion’s still within.

The Bible says that righteousness and justice are the “foundation”
Of that Holy realm of our God from which He rules all creation.
For our God knows that rules are needed, as should lawlessness prevail,
Anarchy would soon rule the day, and His government thereby fail.

Thus, God’s Law is what we are judged by, for though we are saved by grace,
Grace is hardly a substitute for obedience’s rightful place.
And therefore, a Judgment must occur if justice is to be done,
For why should wilful sinning be overlooked by Jesus the Son?

Though our Saviour knows that only grace can release us from our plight,
He did not intend His grace let us off from doing what is right.
It was never our God’s intention that His grace should cover sin,
But that through His enabling, victory over sin we would win.

Thus, those doing their best to walk rightly, are covered by God’s grace,
But if they choose to walk wrongly, they will then simply grace displace.
You see, grace isn’t where it ends — rather, grace is the beginning,
For God hates “lawlessness,” and says, do not wilfully keep sinning. 

Yes, God’s mercy freely given is hardly for pardoning sin,
But just those repentant sinners no longer wanting sin within. 
God accepts us where we are, but there, gives us no excuse to stay,
Hence why it is that we’re judged by that Law that He said to “obey.”

Yes, despite God’s mercy and grace, a Judgment still has to take place,
But only those ones who are rebelling its condemnation face.
For all who are walking rightly, and motivated from the heart,
Are promised that if they are faithful, immortal life they’ll soon start. 

Thus, God’s Judgment isn’t an issue for those who truly love the Lord,
For they know that their faithfulness He has promised He will reward.
But God’s Judgment is an issue for those who're not covered by His grace,
For tragically, eternal death they will shortly have to face. 

Say, what about the non-Christian who of all this isn’t aware?
Well, Romans chapter two suggests that they won’t have a need to fear,
That is, provided that they're walking with a conscience that is clear,
And a heart that bears testimony that God’s Spirit is living there.

By Lance Landall


REGARDING NON-CHRISTIANS, SEE BELOW





Regarding non-Christians

Romans 2:14-16

“When Gentiles [pagans], who do not possess the law [the written revealed code], do instinctively [according to the promptings of conscience spontaneously] what the law requires [principles of the moral law], these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves [the need and the impulse to do good that exist in the reason and conscience are, in a sense, a standard and law to each man]. They show that what the law requires [the conduct the  law demands (James 2:12)] is written on their hearts [wherever there is an impulse of love and sympathy, there is revealed the working of God’s Holy Spirit], to which their own conscience [acts according to the light it has] also bears witness [some awareness of the will of God]; and their conflicting thoughts [hidden things (Eccl 12:14; 2 Cor 10:5; Matt 5:28)] will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge [the judgment (Dan 7:9,10; Rev 20:11,12)] the secret thoughts of all.”

“For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ” (Rom 2:14-16, NASB).

 

See also diagrams under the poem "God's Gift of Grace".  You might like to also read my poems: "Put Things Right" and "Regarding God's Judgment".