July 29, 2024

Obadiah 15 (NIV)

“As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your head.”

Although he’s extremely patient with us, one day he will hold us accountable for how we’ve lived.*

Verse one of Obadiah clearly states that God is addressing Edom – not me or you. But the principle in this verse can be found in other places in the Bible, so we can safely apply its message to ourselves.

 

We automatically interpret this verse with a negative spin. We don’t think of the phrases “as you have done” and “your deeds” as neutral terms, neither good nor bad; but in II Corinthians 5.10, Paul writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (Emphasis added.)

If we have not lived a righteous life, Paul’s words and God’s words to Obadiah could leave us with a sense of dread. But if we have lived our lives washed in the blood of Christ, we have nothing to fear. Our bad deeds will be erased from our record and only our good deeds will return upon our heads!

We can’t prevent God’s judgment but we can be saved from it.*