The Judgment that is Severe

“When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me’” (Luke 19:15-27).

At times, this parable reminds me that Jesus Christ wants me to be a part of His kingdom-building business. I’ve been excited that in Heaven, Jesus will recognize and be blessed by the fruit my meager kingdom building work here on earth. I’ve been challenged and convicted that I have not been as fully engaged in the business of the kingdom as I could be. Often I have felt sorry for the third servant that had the gift of gospel truth removed from him because he disobeyed Christ’s command to “Engage in business until I come”. Today, we are exhorted to be urgently engaged in sharing the gospel Christ has gifted to us until He returns by a fresh examination of the judgment that is severe.

Christ’s severe judgment reflects His sincere love for the lost. It’s genuine love that compelled Christ to come near to sinners… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It’s agape love that offers underserved grace and mercy to sinners… “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). It’s the sinner’s response to Christ’s love that makes all the difference between eternal blessing and severe judgment… “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). Evidence that we are truly born again is a growing awareness and appreciation of the sincere love of Jesus Christ.

Christ’s severe judgment reveals the sympathetic heart of true disciples. Truly transformed hearts cannot resist the same compelling love that moved Christ to give His life for sinners as it moves us to share His gospel with the lost… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Confirmation that we are truly born again is a sympathetic heart that keeps us fully engaged in kingdom business.

Christ’s severe judgment results in supreme rewards for diligent disciples. True disciples of Jesus Christ have no fear of the severe judgment of God… “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18). But we look forward to His judgment of our earthly life after we are saved… “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10). That’s where He will reward those who are faithfully engaged in His kingdom business… “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven” (Luke 6:23). Diligent disciples don’t live for the temporary praise of men but eagerly and humbly anticipate Christ’s supreme rewards in heaven.

As we grow up into Christ, our engagement in kingdom business grows in the light of…

The Judgment that is Severe.