“Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”
Grumbling
The second coming is not just a topic to do with the dim and distant future. Nor is it an issue that should only interest those with a particular interest in the minute details of doctrine. The reality of Christ’s promise to return again to this earth has some very practical consequences. The way we live now will have a direct impact on what happens to us when Jesus does return. If we have not believed and repented in this life, we will be rejected for all eternity. If we have turned to Christ, but are not living as we should be, we will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ.
Grumbling is one serious issue that needs to be addressed before Jesus comes again.
Don’t grumble
Moaning, whinging and grumbling are natural characteristics for the average person. But they don’t impress God. Rather, God hates grumbling and has outlawed it. Sorry, but if you are a follower of Christ you are not allowed to grumble. “Oh dear,” I hear you say. There is no wiggle room here. Grumbling is a sin. Whatever the subject and cause of grumbling, the grumbling itself is off limits for the Christian. However justified you may feel about your particular grievance, you are not permitted to grumble about it. “Well, that is just unreasonable,” you may say. Tough. You are a Christian. Live like one. And if you really can’t live without grumbling, then don’t tell anyone you are a Christian. It will only confuse them.
You will be judged
If you don’t think that grumbling is such a serious matter, give some thought to Moses and people of Israel. The people grumbled their way around the wilderness and all perished in the sand. Not one of the original Israelites who left Egypt actually entered the land of promise, except for Caleb and Joshua. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ one of the matters that will be raised will be our grumbling. Jesus will ask us about it and require an account from us. When we are in the middle of our grumbling it never occurs to us that we are digging a massive hole for ourselves. Each word that comes from our lips is offending God and heaping up trouble for us on judgment day.
The Judge is standing at the door
Christians are generally enthusiastic about the second coming of Christ, and rightly so. But there is a frightening aspect to the second coming, if we are grumblers. Like the owner of the house who has walked up the path to his front door and has his hand on the door handle while the burglars are still inside, so Christ is nearly here. He is right at the door. Are we ready to greet Him? Or will we be embarrassed to see Him?
Christ’s coming is very near. Sort out the grumbling and get rid of it.
