Burning the Books

Scripture tells us that when unbelievers stand before the great Judge on the final day of reckoning, records will be opened which show a complete history of their deeds in order that they can be judged “according to their works” (Revelation 20:13). Every thought, every deed, every unjust motive, every act of rebellion and disobedience—from the beginning of their lives until the very end—will be brought before them by their Maker to determine the severity of their eternal punishment (Luke 12:47,48), and to affirm God’s righteousness in condemning them.

Believers, on the other hand, will face a much different set of records when their lives are reviewed at the evaluation known as the Judgment Seat of Christ. Though every believer will certainly “give account of himself to God,” receiving reward or suffering loss as our works are reviewed (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10), we are assured that “their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12). Whatever records God kept of our lives until our conversion, we can rejoice that through the finished work of Christ “Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back” and “Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Isaiah 38:17; Micah 7:19). In Colossians, Jesus is seen “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross” (Colossians 2:14). For the Christian, the old records have been destroyed!

When one comes to Christ for salvation, he is made anew (2 Cor. 5:17), purged from his old sins (2 Peter 1:9), and justified from all things (Acts 13:39).

Is God still recording your sins?