Posted on 08/20/2016 7:45:03 AM PDT by Salvation
Msgr. Charles Pope Catholic, August 28, 2016
Question: How will God judge non-Catholics at the time of their death? — William Bandle, Manchester, Missouri
Answer: Scripture says, “God does not see as a mortal ... The Lord looks into the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Thus, God, who knows our hearts, will judge us based on what is there. Not all have had the same opportunity to come to know the Lord, his Church and the help of the sacraments. God is just; he knows this and will judge accordingly.
Jesus says, “That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations or act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating, shall be beaten only lightly” (Lk 12:47-48).
In terms of non-Catholics who lacked some knowledge or sacraments of the Church, God will look into their hearts and judge them based on what they reasonably could have known and their actions based on that.
Therefore, to say that God looks into the heart does not mean that he merely looks to a person’s feelings or disposition. Rather, as Scripture says, we will be judged by our deeds (see Rom 2:6-11). Did our actions correspond to what we knew was expected of us or not?
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Thus, the degree of a person’s knowledge of God’s will and his obedience to that knowledge in deeds will be key on the Day of Judgment. This does not mean all non-Catholics and other nonbelievers simply get a pass. Their ignorance of full Catholic teaching must be what is called “invincible ignorance,” meaning a lack of knowledge that they could not reasonably overcome. Thus, if one is lazy or makes excuses when seeking the truth, God will take it into account.
Since the Lord alone sees into our heart, he alone will be our just judge.
(Some do it daily...)
Ping to post 878. Thank you.
Believers do NOT come into judgment when they die as they have already been judged when they accepted/believed on Christ.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
We are saved NOW, today, seated in the heavenly places IN Christ Jesus. Positionally, in the spirit realm, we are already in heaven.
We are saved, we are judged righteous.
What is examined is the quality of their works for reward. And that reward is NOT salvation. The salvation is already a done deal. Jesus rewards us beyond that for faithful service.
And the lost sinners who appear at the great white throne, are not there to determine if they are going to Heaven or Hell. They are going to Hell. That was determined on earth. They are simply there to receive their final judgment and punishment in Hell.
It doesn't have to be that way, but they don't go to Hell for any other reason, but that they refused to accept God's provision for sin. Unbelief is the only sin God made no provision for.
If that’s his name, you’ve highly complimented him.
And that is also based on their works for two reasons, maybe more.
For one thing, they rejected Christ and there is nothing else to judge them on.
The other is that is what they wanted God to judge them on. Remember that Jesus said that there would be many who said, *Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?* and He said His response would be *‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.*
If someone is counting on their works, deeds, acts of mercy, adherence to sacraments, church doctrine, ritual, whatever, they are going to be sadly disappointed.
God is not impressed by what we are doing that we think is going to please Him.
And He takes our motives into account. He knows the heart and knows why we did what we did. Was it out of pure love, or looking for brownie points?
I believe that is an understatement of Biblical proportions. They will not only be sadly disappointed, they will be utterly shocked, and terrified at the prospect of eternity in hellish oblivion, while trying to figure out how they will endure the agony forever.
I believe God has a kind of fire that we know nothing about, but the lost will be there, because they chose to be there.
I am glad I don't trust in all that strange stuff anymore. I am sure you are too.
And every time I think about it, it makes me run to Jesus.
From the creator of the universe?
Probably not.
Can you think of ANYTHING a sinful man can do while alive on this earth that might make a favorable impression on the Father in Heaven, drawing his smile of acceptance to such as we, so much so that He might cause us to be alive with Him forever and more?
Anything?
Any Way?
Any One?
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. <
I’m glad you asked.....
Incoming.....
Well, not enough to gain salvation from it, but there are things that we can do to please God, and that is a comforting though after being raised in a works based religious system where God was portrayed as just waiting for you to make one mistake, and SHAZAM! You’re toast.
So here are some things we can do that please God.
PLEASING GOD
ACTIONS TOWARDS GOD
1. Faith towards God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebrews 11:5,6 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
2. Abstaining from sexual immorality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
3. Growing in the knowledge of God. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Colossians 1:9,10 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
4. Being strengthened with might. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colossians 1:9-12 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
5. Patience, long-suffering with joy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colossians 1:9-12 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
6. Prayers of the upright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proverbs 15:8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
7. Fearing God and hoping for His mercy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psalm 147:10-11 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
8. Being fruitful in every good work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colossians 1:10 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
9. To walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.............Colossians 1:9-10 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the, Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
10. Giving thanks to God in all things. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psalms 69:30-31 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
Colossians 1:9-12 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
11. Praising the name of God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psalms 69:30-31 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs
12. Obeying the voice of the Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
13. To love God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
14. For God to save people through the folly of preaching ….............1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
15. To reveal His Son to man ….........................Galatians 1:15-17 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
16. For the fullness of God to dwell in bodily form in Jesus and reconcile all things to Himself…...........Colossians 1:18-20 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
17. Delights to prosper us..............................Deuteronomy 30:9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers,
18. He delights in truth in the inward being ….....................Psalm 51:6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
19. A man whose ways are blameless.........................Proverbs 11:20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
20. Jesus............. Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
21. The man that understands and knows God............................Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
22. In steadfast love …...............................Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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