Live 4 The LORD

RIGHTEOUS

The resurrection of the righteous, those who have lived in accordance with God's will and have accepted His grace, will experience a resurrection to eternal life. This resurrection is characterized by the transformation of their bodies into a glorified state, free from corruption and death. This resurrection is a fulfillment of the promise of eternal life, where the righteous will enjoy communion with God forever, reflecting the hope that is central to Christian faith.

 

The righteous, those who have lived in accordance with God's will and have accepted His grace, will indeed face judgment, but this judgment is fundamentally different from that of the unrighteous. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that after death, the souls of the righteous are immediately rewarded in heaven, where they experience the fullness of joy and communion with God. However, they will still undergo a particular judgment that reflects their lives and actions.

1. Particular Judgment: Upon death, each individual is judged based on their faith and works. The righteous will be rewarded according to their fidelity to God's commandments and their love for others.This judgment affirms the goodness of their lives and the grace they have received, leading to their eternal reward.
2. Eternal Reward: The righteous will receive a glorified body at the resurrection, and their eternal life will be characterized by perfect happiness and union with God. This reward is not merely a result of their actions but is also a manifestation of God's grace and mercy.

While the righteous do face judgment, it is important to note that their judgment is not punitive in the same way as that of the unrighteous. Instead, it serves to affirm their good deeds and faithfulness. The righteous are not punished for their sins in the same manner as the unrighteous; rather, they are rewarded for their virtues and the grace they have accepted.

 

UNRIGHTEOUS

The resurrection of the unrighteous pertains to those who have chosen to reject God and His commandments. This resurrection does not lead to eternal life in the same sense as that of the righteous; rather, it results in a judgment that reflects the choices made during their earthly lives. The unrighteous will face the consequences of their actions, which may include eternal separation from God, often referred to as hell.

This judgment is not arbitrary but is based on the moral choices made in life, emphasizing the importance of free will and the acceptance or rejection of divine grace.

 

WE HAVE A CHOICE TO Say Yes or No

 

FREE WILL:

Human beings are incapable of changing themselves and require God to radically alter their lives sovereignly through the Holy Spirit. [SURRENDER]

 

The free will we have, is to say: 

 

* YES, I want to live for your glory.

 

* or NO I don’t want to live for your glory, but to do what I want with my life (that you gave me, that you have authority over, and that you have given me commandments to live fruitfully – which I am rejecting).