REV. DANIEL ROHAN Judgment awaits all who don't heed call

Jesus said that when he shall come again with all the hosts of heaven he shall 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 divides his sheep from goats (Matthew 25:31-32).
One day we will all stand before the judgment of God. It is significant that we will be judged by Jesus Christ and not by God the father, for it was the Son of God who became man for us and lived a perfect human life (John 5:27).
On that day we will stand before the one who lived a perfect human life in complete love and obedience and who gave his life for the salvation of others.
His very presence will be a great judgment, for all of our deepest desires and motives will be brought to light as well as all our deeds. We will be called to give an account for every idle word we have spoken (Matthew 12:36).
Revelation: On that day the innermost treasure of our hearts will be revealed, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things (Matthew 12:34-35).
Thus, how we live in the life to come depends on how we live in this life. If in our deepest heart we love God and seek his kingdom, we shall surely find it. But if we are wrapped up in ourselves instead, we shall be unable to enjoy life that God grants freely to all.
Judgment does not mean that God loves some people and hates others, or that God takes delight in the punishments of sinners.
God loves all people equally and desires that all share in his life of love, yet there are some people who by the selfish dispassion of their own hearts render themselves incapable of receiving and responding to God's love.
When we stand before Christ on the Day of Judgment, the true and eternal disposition of our heart will be revealed; there will be no more opportunity for change or repentance.
However, when we think of judgment, we are often inclined to compare ourselves to people we consider to be worse than ourselves. We comfort ourselves with the thought that while we may not be perfect, we are not as bad as Hitler.
Yet most of the trouble in the world is caused by ordinary people like us. Few people set out in life with the goal of becoming evil. It is the little things -- petty jealousies and grievances -- which act as cancerous cells within the heart.
What to do: Unless we are prepared to take drastic action -- to seek the help of the Great Physician who can replace these cells with His love and mercy -- then eventually our heart will be overcome with the cancer of selfishness.
Have you ever known someone who is completely wrapped up in his or her own selfishness and bitterness? Such a person can never be pleased. Others are always a fault.
Even though such a person may never have done anything really bad, his or her bitterness becomes positively infectious and affects the lives of others.
This is an example of what can happen to each of us if we allow the cancerous cells of selfishness and pride to grow within us. The inner disposition of our heart will determine not only how we will fare in our old age in this life, but more importantly, how we shall fare in the life to come.
Thus the innermost depth of our heart is a battleground. We see the effects of sin every time we turn on the television or read a newspaper. You know the effect which sin can have in your life.
Are you willing to come to the one who has the power to deliver you from the bondage of price and selfishness? Are you willing to place your life in the hands of the one who has the power to deliver you from the living death of sin and give you the unending life of God?
Jesus Christ is waiting to lead you back to the house of the Father. By turning to him in faith, you can know the peace and love of God.
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
XThe Rev. Daniel Rohan is pastor of St. Mark Orthodox Church, Liberty.