Standing Before the Son and the Book…
Why are we so spiritually bogged down and emotionally uptight?
The idea of a final day of judgment, when Yeshua (Jesus) evaluates every life is central to much of Biblical teaching and this share. It’s often described as both sobering and hopeful.
I will describe it for many as FEAR. I do like “sobering” because it confronts the reality of sin and accountability, hopeful because it promises restoration, justice, and mercy for those who trust Him.
The fact is, we will all stand exposed before our Holy Judge. The Bible tells us, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” –2 Corinthians 5:10.
No one is exempt.
If we know, understand and believe that the ELOHIM (Righteous Judge) has ruled properly and accurately, then He will replay each and every life before us. How will he accomplish this task? With Justice and Mercy. The other day I asked, “Lord, why not do this earlier?” I learned some interesting things about that question. What I learned was not any different than what we all already know.
Judgment isn’t only about punishment—it’s also about healing and the setting right of all things. What about vindication (the evidential proof of our willing disobedience)?
Romans 2:13-16 gives reasons for us to be prepared, because this set of verses describe the plan that GOD will pass judgment on everyone's hidden thoughts and actions through His Righteous Judge, Yeshua, the Messiah, according to the words of Paul.
“13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before GOD, but the doers of the Law who will be justified.
14 …for when Gentiles (nations) who do not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them
16 on the day when, according to my gospel, GOD will judge the secrets of mankind through Christ Jesus (the “secrets of mankind” refers to the hidden thoughts, motives, and inner life of people — the unseen realities of the heart that GOD will ultimately judge through Christ).”
There will be no room for excuses or tap dancing!
Verses 14-15, Paul explains that even Gentiles (Goyim/Nations) who don't have the Law show its work in their hearts through their conscience and thoughts. Mankind was created to be obedient and live in obedience and union with their Creator. Paul is describing how even those outside Israel, who were never given the Torah, still demonstrate its effect because GOD’s moral order is imprinted within them.
Jeremiah 31:33: Anticipates a new covenant where GOD’s Law is written on hearts, not stone tablets.
Psalm 19:1–4: Creation itself declares GOD’s glory, so even those without Torah encounter His moral order.
Torah as “work” means “Its effect is not just external regulation but the internal shaping of conscience. It is GOD’s Guidance inscribed into the human heart, forming identity, accountability, and readiness for covenant restoration.”
Stone tablets (external Torah at Sinai) and Heart tablets (internal conscience across humanity). Both of these are inscribed (emblazoned) by the same hand – one visibly, one invisibly.
What strikes me is how the Hebrew concept of mishpat (justice/judgment) isn’t just about legal verdicts—it’s about restoring balance, repairing breaches, and re-establishing covenant.
The “Day of Judgment” isn’t only a courtroom scene; it’s also a Holy Spirit act of healing. I imagine this is where brokenness is confronted and wholeness is restored.
NOTE: Reflect on the character of the LORD… Now thinks about the PLAN to unveil and judge us for every hidden sin. Do you honestly think he wants to embarrass those He has made to represent Him? Weve done that all by ourselves. Our face-to-face evaluation from the Omniscient One isn’t about shaming us, but about restoration, Covenant fidelity, reliability and faithfulness to keep our end of the agreed Covenant, and GOD’s Truth coming into light.
After the final adjudication and rule, all things will be made new. There is no living with Him if we are still working to hide the things we do.
Psalm 90:8: “You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the Light of Your Presence.”
Ecclesiastes 12:14: “…for GOD will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”
Daniel 2:22: GOD “reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness.”
Serving the All Knowing One automatically exposes us. My life is a mess! As much as I love Him and try to get my act together, my time before Him will not be a pretty run-down.
There is nothing hidden now and it will be very public then. However, if we are working to be in unition and right standing with His Holiness, I wholeheartedly believe, if we seek TODAY to know and understand the purpose of the unveiling of the deepest sins, we will work to get them unveiled sooner.
The key to all of this is honesty and openness with myself and yourself and then His Spirit of Truth we tell us if we got it right <wink wink>.
We must believe that the judgment throne serves a redemptive and relational purpose, not merely discipline. We do not usually think about the times Israel broke Covenant and GOD’s response was to judge them—but always with the aim of restoring them to Covenant relationship in Hosea and Jeremiah.
Ecclesiastes 12:14: “…for GOD will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing.”
Daniel 7:10: The heavenly court sits, and the books are opened—symbolizing full disclosure before GOD.
Everything of the HEART and MIND will be dissected. Look down below and tell me what you are thinking when you recall what is going on in your life right now in your “LEV”.
Seat of motives: The heart is where decisions are formed before they manifest outwardly (Proverbs 4:23).
Hidden thoughts: Even when words or actions look righteous, the heart may conceal pride, fear, or selfishness (Jeremiah 17:9).
True loyalty: The heart reveals whether someone is truly devoted to GOD or only outwardly religious (Isaiah 29:13).
Inner conscience: The heart carries the weight of guilt, shame, or integrity, unseen by others but known to GOD (Psalm 51:6).
The heart is the “authority inside the house”. It is the inner dwelling place where guidance and decisions reside. I have made some REALLY POOR decisions in my life. The unseen realities of my secret sins will undoubtedly be viewed as “unwilling to be reconciled with the LORD of Creation. That will include me. He will also show me the motives for my actions.
We are breaking Covenant with our Savior, when we are working more to displease Him, than honor Him. What about these areas? I lead the charge because I too find myself missing the mark in ways that tell me, “I am ignoring the obvious failures.”
My motives behind each action should cause me to ask, “What am I hiding?”, and “What are you concealing from people?”
My hidden sins can be encouraged by lust, envy, bitterness, or idolatry that may not be visible externally. “What am I hiding?”, and “What are you concealing from people?”
My unspoken desires and all of the personal longings, ambitions, or fears touch my choices. Each one can and will shape me as well. “What am I hiding?”, and “What are you concealing from people?”
My true faith or unbelief tell me and others that my trust in GOD may not be obvious until I am tested. Will you and I pass? Deception is evil. “What am I hiding?”, and “What are you concealing from people?”
My secret loyalties will eventually detail my divided devotion. Outwardly, you and I are serving GOD but inwardly we are clinging to “self” or “idols” of some kind. Again, “What am I hiding?”, and “What are you concealing from people?”
On the inside, we are broken and distant spiritually and emotionally. We want so desperately to BLAME another, but as we take the effort to start asking the Spirit of Truth “Where am I lacking?”, be ready for a few revelations. …Or, will they really be NEW to you?
The Searcher of Hearts is YHVH Himself. He is the Covenant GOD Who sees beyond ritual and outward obedience, into the truth of inner devotion. The Spirit and the Son intimately "search" and fully know the inner workings and motivations of the human heart and mind.
GOD as the Examiner of Hearts
1 Samuel 16:7, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Jeremiah 17:10, “I, the LORD, search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways.”
Psalm 139, David acknowledges GOD’s intimate knowledge—He searches, knows, and discerns every thought.
Revelation 2:23, Yeshua says, “I am He who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”
John 2:24–25, He “knew all people… He Himself knew what was in man.”
Hebrews 4:12–13, The Word of GOD pierces to the division of soul and spirit, exposing the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Scripture emphasizes that nothing is hidden from GOD. His knowledge goes beyond outward appearance to the inner self, the heart, and motives. In 1 Samuel 16:7 we read “ …for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Jeremiah 17:10, "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."
Proverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, observing the evil and the good."
In Isaiah 46:10, we see the foreknowledge of the Creator “end from the beginning”.
GOD’s knowledge is not limited by time. The future is known with perfect certainty.
"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’".
The manner in which GOD knows all things cannot be fully grasped by humans. GOD's knowledge is an inherent, infinite attribute of His being, not acquired through human processes like observation or learning. Isaiah 55:8-9 states, "…for My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My Ways...for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways, and My Thoughts than your thoughts."
Psalm 139:1–4: “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me… before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.”
This indicates that Jesus is the specific Agent or Mediator through Whom GOD will execute this final judgment. This aligns with other New Testament passages that speak of GOD entrusting all judgment to His Son (John 5:22).
When will WE start taking TRUE, DELIBERATE, HONEST and HARD looks into our own lives as if we KNOW we are being inspected in an hour.
Well… That is coming.
Deuteronomy 29:29 highlights the distinction between GOD’s hidden mysteries (the secret things) and His revealed will (the things revealed), which are given so that we may live faithfully and pass them on to future generations.
1 Corinthians 2:9–10: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things GOD has prepared for those who love him—these are the things GOD has revealed to us by his Spirit.” → Paul echoes the theme: GOD holds mysteries, but His Spirit discloses what we need for life and faith.
“Secret sins” are not minor faults but hidden transgressions that corrode trust, fellowship, and relational integrity with the Savior.
They do not automatically cancel eternal security in Christ, but if left unconfessed and unrepented, they can harden the heart, disrupt communion with GOD, and bring ruin to life and the community (marriage, friendships and worship locations) you are part of.
GOD’s Omniscience: Scripture affirms that nothing is hidden from GOD—Jeremiah 23:24 “Secret sins” are seen and judged.
Life Consequences: Hidden sins often bring ruin. One rarely spoke of example is Achan (Joshua 7) and the often referenced one David (2 Samuel 11–12).
Even forgiven sins can leave scars in relationships and communities.
What about us? We don’t want to forgive. We would rather be bitter and be bathed in hatred and anger. …and we wonder why we are mentally, emotionally and spiritually stuck, apathetic and broken.
NOTE: Much of our pains, anxieties and cares are caused by sin (others’ and our own). The stuff we hide is eating at us from the inside (stress and mental torture). Why is that? I believe it is the stuff we don’t confess. I believe it is the stuff we REFUSE to own up to. …Secret to others, but not the All-Knowing One. The spirit of truth knows.
NOTE: We work so hard to “LOOK GOOD” to and for everyone, but the One “Who Sees” everything and holds our futures.
Psalm 32:3-7
3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 for day and night Your hand was heavy upon me. My vitality failed as with the dry heat of summer.
Selah (think on this during the interlude of music)
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not hide my guilt. I said, “I will confess my wrongdoings to the Lord”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.
Selah (think on this during the interlude of music)
6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found.
Certainly in a flood of great waters, they will not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; You keep me from trouble. You surround me with songs of deliverance.
Riddle me this… When you reflect on that day, do you see it more as a moment of fear and reckoning, or as another appointed time for hope and renewal?