“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

Everything.

That’s pretty much inclusive of…well…everything.

That’s the thing about words like that – there are no loopholes, no escape clauses, no ifs and or buts.

Everything pretty much includes everything.

Had it said, “So in most situations…”, or even better, “So in some situations…” do to others what you would have them do to you, it would be more to my taste.

Now, what is it that we are to do in everything? What is it that God is calling us to do in every situation? Jesus tells us, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”

But what if the other person really hurt me? But what if the other person really doesn’t deserve respect, kindness, forgiveness? What if the other person is a total jerk? What if I am really the victim? What if I was really wronged? What if I really don’t even like the other person?

Everything.

And there is that word again…everything. In every situation, do to others what you would have them do to you.

• Do you like being treated with respect?
• Do you like being given the benefit of the doubt?
• Do you appreciate being recognized and honored?
• Do you like being included?
• Do you appreciate being forgiven?

In all these things, in every situation, in everything…do to others what you would have them do to you.

Finally, guess what voice the verb “do” is written in. Yup. It’s an imperative. This is a command. If you’re a disciple, you follow Jesus. Jesus commands: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Some things are so plain and clear that it needs no explanation.

Verses like this make it crystal clear that Christ is coming again and at that time:

• We will all stand in judgment
• Each of us will be held accountable for the things we have done

The day of judgment will be truly terrifying for all because we are all sinners.

Then how come the Bible says that this day will be a day of rejoicing and celebration for Christians? How does that work? The text makes it clear that each one will be judged and held accountable for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

This is bad news because we are not only sinners, but we are repeat sinners. So how can this be good news for Christians?

All sin will be judged on that day. Everyone will have to answer for their lives.

BUT…when the time for judgment arrives for Christians, there will be a huge difference for the person who has received God’s plan for salvation in Jesus Christ.

For the person who has received and accepted God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ, what will happen at the time of judgment is that Christ himself will stand in our place and remind God that he has already paid the penalty for sin on our behalf. And that he has risen from the dead so that we might share in Christ’s resurrection.

Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, what God will see is Christ’s righteousness. Christ’s righteousness will cover our sins.

We will rejoice and worship not because we are sinless, but because the penalty of our sins have been paid for by Jesus. That is why he is Savior. That is why he is Lord.

The fancy Christianese word for this is “Substitutionary Atonement.” Christ stands as our substitute. Christ stands in judgment on our behalf that we might stand in God’s glory as his sons and daughters.

Friends, listen to what Steven Lawson says, “Every sin in the history of the world will be punished by divine justice. It will either be punished in hell or punished at the cross. But every sin will be punished.”

The reason why Christians will rejoice at the day of judgment is because of what Christ has done on our behalf.

This happens because we humbled ourselves to receive God’s plan for salvation.

The question is, why wouldn’t we all receive Jesus as Lord and Savior? Is he your Lord and Savior? What are you waiting for?

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

You can lose everything and still have everything.

What? That makes no sense.

How can you lose everything and still have everything?

Look at the verses of the day. That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul is saying. You can lose everything that is of this world and still have everything that matters and counts in eternity when you have Christ as Lord.

Everything in this world will all end up in the junkyard. Everything. And, you know what belongs in the junkyard? Garbage:

• Money,
• houses,
• bank accounts,
• art collections,
• the newest laptop,
• the latest iPhone,
• our cars,
• everything.

Everything that we hold valuable in this world is junk. It’s all stuff that will end up in the junkyard. There is not a single thing in this world that we can take to eternity when we die. NOT ONE THING. It’s all junk.

But, if you know Christ as Lord, if you gain Christ, you’ve got everything. In fact, knowing Christ as Lord will help us to appreciate and know how to use the things of this world to make a difference for eternity. Everything that we have in this world is to be used to help people to know Christ. Everything in this world is to be used to help people transition from this world for eternity.

When Paul says, “I consider them garbage,” the Greek word is skubalon.

Say that- skubalon.

The NIV translation is very mild compared to the actual Greek. What is skubalon? It’s the stuff that comes out of the other end when we consume food. skubalon. It’s not even the nice word, feces. It’s kind of the rough word. You know…s#&t. The King James Version translates this as dung. Everything in this world is skubalon! When we die, all of it is skubalon!

Don’t live to acquire and amass skubalon! That would be skubalon!

Make your life count. Use what we have in this world so that you can introduce as many people to Jesus Christ as Lord. That’s the only thing that counts.

You can lose everything in this world and still have everything. Because everything in this world is skubalon. And as long as you have Christ as Lord, you have everything!

Make your life count. Live well. Use skubalon to usher as many people to Christ.