What actions can we take to prepare for God's judgment as described here? A sober summons to the Valley of Jehoshaphat “Let the nations be roused and advance to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit down to judge all the nations on every side.” – Joel 3:12 The scene Joel paints is a real future courtroom where God Himself renders final verdicts. Preparation matters now, before the summons sounds. Step 1: Repent and return to the Lord • Joel’s earlier call still echoes: “Yet even now—declares the LORD—return to Me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). • Repentance is a decisive turning, not a vague regret. Acts 17:30-31 urges every person to repent because a judgment day is fixed. • Practical response: confess specific sins, forsake them, and realign life with God’s standards. Step 2: Trust the only righteous Advocate • Jesus alone satisfies divine justice. “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment” (John 5:24). • Those “in Christ Jesus” face “no condemnation” (Romans 8:1). • Receive Him by faith, resting in His finished work on the cross and empty tomb. Step 3: Cultivate consistent holiness • “Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Holiness flows from daily choices: – Feed on Scripture for renewed minds. – Flee sin’s invitations promptly. – Fellowship with believers who spur righteous habits. Step 4: Walk in justice and mercy toward others • Micah 6:8 summarizes God’s requirement: “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” • Jesus ties coming judgment to tangible compassion (Matthew 25:31-46). – Serve the poor, the stranger, the imprisoned. – Refuse partiality or exploitation. – Forgive quickly, mirror divine mercy. Step 5: Witness with urgency • “Since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). • Ezekiel 33:7 calls believers watchmen; warning is an act of love. – Share the gospel plainly. – Intercede for lost family and neighbors. – Support missions that proclaim Christ where He is not yet named. Daily habits that keep hearts ready • Reverent worship – Hebrews 12:28: serve God “with reverence and awe.” • Self-examination – 2 Corinthians 13:5: test faith regularly. • Accountability – confess sins to trusted believers (James 5:16). • Stewardship – use time, talents, and treasure as investments for eternity (1 Corinthians 3:12-14). A settled confidence on judgment day “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Those who repent, trust Jesus, pursue holiness, practice justice, and witness faithfully await that appearance without dread but with hope, longing to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” |
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