The Bible says,
“And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27
As a young man I do not naturally think about death on a regular basis, but the truth of the matter is that death is sure for every man, woman, boy, and girl, and none of us are guaranteed another day. Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1
But more sure than the fact that someday all of us will die, is the fact that everyone of us will stand in judgment for the life in which we have lived while we were here. And I saw the dead, smal 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. Revelation 20:12 The verse states that everyone will be judged according to their works. Many people get confused thinking that this means that they can somehow do enough good works to be able to earn a place in Heaven. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galations 5:19-21 The Bible tells us very emphatically that our works have indeed caused this predicament that we, as individuals, are facing.
But, there is indeed a work that man must do in order to be prepared for that judgment. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him who he hath sent. John 6:29 The only thing that a man must do to prepare for the judgment is to trust in the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary 2,000 years ago.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3: 4,5
So finally there are 2 options in the judgment that follows after death, you can either be judged according to your works(which we have seen will end in destruction), or you can be judged according to the mercy found in Jesus Christ. How do you stand?
shodfeet 