Standing At The Judgment Bar

Dan 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
Dan 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
Dan 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
Dan 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

God’s judgment is absolute. He doesn’t grade on a curve. It is terrible folly when one tries to seek approval from other men with no regard for the demands of a Holy God. 2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Yogi might have been smarter than theaverage bear’ but he was still a bear. To be as good as or even better than the average sinner is not enough because God doesn’t approach judgment with a plus or minus tolerance for sin.

I. There is a standard of spiritual righteousness which MUST be met for salvation. Departments of Weights and Measures in every state determine the standard of accuracy for those who sell goods.
A. The very name of ‘SIN’ denotes the coming short of a standard. Missing the mark by falling short.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

B. The pharisees had not reached this goal.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

C. All men are judged by the unvarying standards of God’s perfect demands. If you have ever felt the hopelessness of trying to satisfy some demanding parent, teacher, coach, employer, etc. then how do you expect to ever satisfy a Holy God who CANNOT be satisfied or even look upon any imperfection?
It is necessary that we come to the knowledge of our complete failure and inability to do anything about it, so that God can then bring us in complete humility to the ONLY answer.

D. Christ was NOT given to men as a standard of righteousness, but as the answer to God’s demands for righteousness. God does not say, "Now you must measure up to this man", but rather, "HE has done what I expected from man and I will accept it in man’s behalf. In only this way can God remain Just and yet the Justifier of sinful men.
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Here is the seal of approval of the heavenly department of weights and measures-
Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Only Christ can balance the scales for you...

II For those who are saved, there is a standard of living that must be met. Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

A. We are weighed and found wanting in wrong speech; in perverseness; in licentiousness; in worldliness.
There is a standard of POSITIVE performance.
Some have accepted the standards of rebellious souls and are losing all hope of rewards.
B. To become strong in all manner of doctrinal teaching, but be calloused to the needs of men in material things,is to give short weight toward men
C. To be concerned about the needs of men and care nothing for the Word of God is to shortchange God.