Living With Final Judgment in Mind

The View From Above: Thoughts to Help With Everyday Life

July 6, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

Living With Final Judgment in Mind

We are all marching toward a final judgment—an accountability and assessment of the quality of life we have lived for Jesus Christ.

We should be living now in anticipation of that.

If you live wisely, in preparation for that great day, it will be the greatest moment of your life thus far.

Scripture Focus

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”

I think far too many Christians do not live with this in mind.

We do not take it as seriously as we ought, and therefore we live far too carelessly.

That should change.

We are going to stand before God alone to give account.

Every feature of our lives will be evaluated.

Our attitudes and actions.

Our obedience and sacrifice.

Every word we have ever spoken.

Every thought we have embraced.

It is all there in the record of our lives, stored in heaven before God, waiting for our turn at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Rewards will be determined—or not.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

It should be the longing and desire of every born-again believer in Jesus Christ to live a life pleasing to God that will be worthy of reward on that great day.

We must live our lives now in preparation for this occasion.

How would you do right now if you were standing at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

Would there be reward?

Or would your works be burned up, unworthy of reward?

Today’s Challenge

Take time today to evaluate your life.

Consider your attitudes, actions, obedience, sacrifice, words, thoughts, and priorities.

Are you living carelessly, or are you living with eternity in view?

Recalibrate where needed.

Take this seriously, and live your life with final judgment in mind.