Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Some kind of vast cosmic computer has all our information accurately stored within it, including data impossible for any man-made device to capture--thoughts and motives. Each deed or hidden purpose that conflicts with the foundation principle of the universe ("the law of liberty," James 2:12) will stand out on this computer record as evidence for a case, for Heaven's "commandment is exceedingly broad" (Psalm 119:96). The prophetic judgment scene appears calculated to warn us, and (many conclude) even to frighten us into preparation. But Christ will not coerce by fear what He would win only by love.
The One who presides is an impressive figure called "the Ancient of Days," Daniel says, before whom "a fiery stream issued and came forth" and "ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened" (Dan. 7:9, 10). The whole world is arraigned (see Acts 17:31), for "all have sinned," for which the "wages" is death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
But facing reality is always a healthy choice. It is a salutary thing to anticipate this judgment, for "we must all appear" in it (2 Cor. 5:10). And as of today, it is fortunately not too late to take constructive steps toward getting ready. To try to put the matter out of mind would be foolish, for if death and taxes are certain, this is even more so.
The Good News is that that Judge is your Brother "in the flesh," the Son of Man who took upon Himself "the likeness of sinful flesh" and knows exactly how "in all points" we are tempted. "In that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted" (Rom. 8:3; Heb. 4:15; 2:18).
He doesn't have to persuade the Father to accept you, for "the Father Himself loves you," He says (John 16:27). You are the key figure in this drama who needs help, who needs to be persuaded of something. Your first step is to believe the Good News of God's grace, which is infinitely better than you have thought it to be.
The result of such believing is that you are reconciled to God; all the misunderstandings about Him are cleared up. This is receiving the atonement, exactly the right thing to do in this grand heavenly Day of Atonement.
God knows that once you believe the good news, your faith will manifest itself immediately, for "faith work[s] through love" (Gal. 5:6). As sunshine is filtered through a prism to produce those glorious colors of the spectrum from infrared to violet, so the faith of Christ shining out from your heart finds prismatic display in your life of obedience to all His commandments.
We can never say a big enough Thank You to Him!
--Robert J. Wieland
From: The Good News Is Better Than You Think, 2002.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."
