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There are several spiritual standards God will use to condemn non-Christians and send them to the Lake of Fire. The first standard is the fact that creation actually reveals the existence of God - even if they claim otherwise. Excuses about evolution, philosophy or something else will not satisfy God. His creation gives witness to His existence.
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For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (NASB) Rom. 1:20 |
The second standard God will use is any standard they use to judge others. God will use their standard against them - to judge them. If they believed murder was wrong, then God will show them that they have murdered others. Jesus declared in the Sermon on the Mount that even anger is murder in the heart (Matt. 5:21-22). All murders deserve the lake of Fire.
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Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (NASB) Rom. 2:1-2 |
Finally, the God given sense - their inner sense of right and wrong - will be used against them to condemn them to the Lake of Fire. Their secret thoughts of justice will be used to show them that God had a moral standard of evil and good. They may claim there are no moral absolutes, but their secret thoughts are a testimony against them.
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For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. (NASB) Rom. 2:14-16 |
Conclusion: Jesus will be a righteous judge. He knows our secret thoughts. He knows those who are really His. He has a reward for those who long to see Him. What a joy awaits us.
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. . . in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (NASB) 2 Tim. 4:8 |
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