If we have died in Christ, died while we were in intense interaction with Him, then we will be wildly, extravagantly joyous because we have attained the first resurrection from the dead. We will be on the earth once again, ready to be with Jesus forever. God has accepted the Divine judgment on our conduct that took place during our discipleship and we have been sentenced to eternal life in the Presence of God.

But if our life has not been one of abiding in Christ, of fervent discipleship, then we will awaken to a trial. At the trial we will be rewarded according to our works whether or not we have at some point in our life made a profession of faith in Christ. We need to understand today that a profession of faith in Jesus Christ does not prevent our being judged, for all shall be judged. Neither does making a profession of faith cause God to overlook our behavior. This is what is taught today but it is not scriptural. The teachers who are leaving people with the impression that making a profession of Christ is their ticket to Paradise will have to answer at the Judgment Seat of Christ for the moral havoc they have created in the churches, and consequently in the world that looks to the Christian churches for moral guidance.

One time on a trip by car across the country we stopped at a restaurant. We were tired, dirty, our clothes were wrinkled, hair uncombed. We wanted to eat and get on our way.

We were not presentable, but we said, "They'll never see us again so it doesn't matter how we look." Have you ever done that?

Well, when we teach that we will never see our body again, this kind of thinking takes place. If we realize we will be called forth in our body to give an answer for how we have behaved in the body, we might be more careful how we speak and act. There is no escaping the voice of Jesus Christ in that Day!

The worst lie of all is the tradition that we can never be lost once we have been saved. I wonder what would happen if all the Christian leaders announced to their churches that unless a believer lives according to the New Testament Commandments, given by Christ and His Apostles, he or she will face an angry Christ in the Day of Resurrection.

I think there might be, at least in the United States, nationwide repentance.

But how would Americans react? In anger? In unbelief? Would they look for churches that told them even if they do not serve Christ fervently they still will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?

Would they still hop up and down next to their pews to prepare for an unscriptural rapture to deliver them from trouble? Probably not if they realized that were they caught up in their present lukewarm condition they would face the fire of God's wrath because of their worldliness, lust, and self-willed disobedience.

I am afraid if the Christian leaders do not warn the people, telling them we have been following incorrect traditions, the leaders as well as their congregations will not find life after death to be the paradise they are expecting.

Does all this make sense to you? (from Six Unscriptural Traditions)