Heaven (Part 2)ნიმუში

Justice Meets Grace

Recently, my wife, Kerrie, started jury service. Can you imagine the weight of that responsibility? Sitting in a courtroom, listening to evidence, and knowing you’re helping to decide someone’s future? I don’t know exactly how she feels about it, but I know her well enough to know she will be making her decisions carefully and seriously.

It’s made me think a lot about justice, how messed up it can be in human hands, but how perfect it is in God’s.

In Revelation 20:11-15, we’re given a glimpse of the ultimate courtroom. Everyone stands before the great white throne, and books are opened. These books contain a record of our lives, every thought, word, and deed laid bare before God. It’s a crazy thought, isn’t it? But then there’s another book mentioned, the Book of Life, and that changes everything for those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and the free gift of grace he gives to us – forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

For Christians, the Book of Life holds the names of those who have put their faith in Jesus. It’s not about what we’ve done, but about what He has done for us. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has dealt with the judgment we deserve. If your name is written in the Book of Life, you’re welcomed into Heaven, not because of anything you’ve earned, but because of God’s amazing grace.

But here’s a question I’ve often thought about: if salvation isn’t based on our deeds, do our deeds really matter? The Bible’s clear that they do, but not in the way other religions might suggest.

In Islam, deeds are weighed on scales, and your eternal destiny depends on whether your good outweighs your bad.

In Sikhism, karma determines whether you achieve liberation or remain stuck in the cycle of rebirth. These systems focus entirely on human effort, on trying to do enough.

Christianity turns that idea upside down. Salvation is a gift, but how we live still matters.

'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast' (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

For Christians, the books that record our deeds aren’t about condemnation, they’re about God recognising the ways we’ve served Him.

Paul writes, 'For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad' (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV).

It’s not about fear of judgment, but about seeing how our lives have reflected the grace we’ve received.

Thinking about Kerrie made me reflect on how human justice often gets it wrong. Decisions can be flawed, evidence might be missing, or emotions might cloud judgment.

But God’s justice is different. It’s perfect. In Heaven, every wrong will be made right. For those who trust in Jesus, there’s no fear, only the promise of peace, restoration, and the joy of being with Him forever.

Reflect

• How does knowing your name is written in the Book of Life change the way you live?
• If Heaven is secured by grace, what does it look like to live in gratitude for that gift?

Pray

Lord, thank You for the promise of Heaven, where Your justice is perfect and Your mercy overflows. Help me to live in a way that honours You, not to earn Your love, but because You’ve already given it. Teach me to trust in Your grace and to reflect that grace in everything I do. Amen.

Further Study

• The books in Revelation 20:11-15: How do the books reflect God’s justice, and the Book of Life reflect His grace?
• Deeds and Christian life: Read 2 Corinthians 5:10. How do your actions reflect your faith and gratitude for salvation?
• Heaven’s promise: Reflect on Revelation 21:4. How does the hope of Heaven shape your perspective on life today?