Basketball fans will recognize the name Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game.

On one occasion, Jordan returned to his beloved alma mater, the University of North Carolina, to watch a ball game. Arriving at the gymnasium with a friend, they noticed that the parking lot was full. The friend suggested that Jordan park his car in an empty spot reserved for those with handicaps.

Jordan refused the friend's suggestion and said, "Oh no, I couldn't do that. If Coach Smith (the UNC basketball coach) ever knew I parked in a handicapped parking zone,
I wouldn't be able to face him."

Commenting on Jordan’s words and actions, Neil Richey writes: “We all have people in our lives that, when thinking of making a decision we ask, ‘What would so and so think if they found out?’  We want their respect so much that we manage our behavior so as not to let certain individuals down.” *

Consider facing God in judgment…  Recognize that He is omniscient: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight; everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:13

Because of our sin, we can’t “face” Him and expect Him to bless us because of our own righteousness.

Because of our sin, the holy God cannot “look” upon us with divine favor.   Habakkuk the prophet said of God, “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness” (1:13).  Isaiah said, “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:1-2

The only Way that we can “face” God in judgment is to be clothed with Christ.

God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we might be reconciled to Him (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).  “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

In Christ, we can “face” God and receive His favor, but not because of our own personal righteousness – because compared to His holiness, our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  In Christ, we can “face” God and receive His favor because when He looks upon us, He sees the righteousness of Christ, because the blood of Jesus cleanses the sins of one who is found in Christ.

To be found “in Christ,” one must place his faith and trust in Christ (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ,” wrote Paul to the Christians in Galatia.  Then, as one continues to “walk in the light” of God’s Word, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse him from sin (1 John 1:7).

As hard as we may try, we can’t face God in judgment thinking that we can earn our way into His grace.  But because of Jesus, we CAN  face God and receive His grace.  Because of His mercy and His grace, it should be our greatest desire to live the rest of our days in humble, grateful, and trusting obedience, never wanting to “let Him down.”

Won’t YOU place your trust “in Christ” for your salvation by doing His will today?

David Sargent, Minister