What Will you Be at the Last Judgment, Wheat or Chaff?
Psalm One compares those who trust and obey God to those who do not by calling the former wheat and the latter chaff. Chaff is the outer covering of the wheat kernel, whose purpose is to protect the valuable kernel until harvest time. At harvest, the wheat is separated from the chaff, in biblical days by threshing it. The threshed wheat would be tossed into the air, when a breeze would blow the light and airy chaff away, but the heavier wheat kernels would fall to the ground. Over time, the worthless chaff would be completely separated from what was valuable and life giving.
The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:4–6 (NASB95)
We all come into this world as chaff. Our bodies are the “husk” that contains the spirit breathed by God. Sin crushed the God-life out of our spirits, leaving us empty husks of a person. When someone responds to the gospel by faith through the power of the Spirit, God’s life re-enters that person through what the Bible calls the new birth.
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:5-7 (NLT)
This new birth radically transforms the believer from within. God’s life is planted in that person and will invade every portion of his being.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NLT)
This new life is what makes us eternally valuable to God. Without it we are lifeless, worthless chaff, fit to be destroyed at the last judgment. The only way to be transformed from chaff to wheat is through faith in Christ and his saving work. He died on the cross to take away our sins. We must receive his gift and give back to him the gift of ourselves. He is the risen Lord. He wants us to believe in him, follow him, and serve him faithfully. That is what it means to be a Christian.
Do you want to have confidence on the judgment day? Do you want to live forever in God’s presence? Do you want to know God’s amazing love, which is the most liberating and fulfilling force in the universe? You can have it all by surrendering your life to Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I have lived independently from you for long enough. I realize now that without you I have no hope, but with you I can experience God’s life and blessings. Thank you for dying for my sins. I receive the forgiveness you provide. Come into my life. Be my Lord from this day forward. I receive the eternal life you provide. Thank you for reconciling me to the Father and making me part of your eternal family. Please reveal Father God and his love to me in a greater way. Baptize me in the Holy Spirit so that I can serve you more faithfully. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, the next step is to find a body of believers who are walking in step with our Lord and be water baptized as a public declaration of your allegiance to Christ. If you need help, please contact me.
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