This part of the verse reveals one reason sin is becoming rampant in our culture – not only in America but also around the world. Some people foolishly think that because God does not act immediately to judge sin that He will not act at all.

The truth is that He always sees what people do, think, and fail to do what they should. He hears every word spoken and will even judge them for wrong words and for taking His Name in vain. Matthew 12:36,37 says: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

It needs to be remembered that we live in time and our lives are short. God is not in a hurry to judge because He has all eternity to wait for the ungodly – and to punish them. Make no mistake – He will judge all sin, and those who have not made Him their Savior will give account for every sin committed.

Our lives are brief. Before we know it, we become old and wonder where our life went. But God never changes. He is always holy and intolerant of sin.

Another reason He waits to judge is because He would rather show mercy than judgment. His mercy, however, does have limits and He has a set day when He will judge all people. There will be no escaping that day.

The Bible tells us that when He comes, it will be as in the days of Noah. When the flood came that destroyed the old world, people were carrying on as usual – not heeding the plain message given them by God’s messenger – Noah. Because they would not turn from their sin (repent) – they perished. A way of escape was available (as it is today) – but they wanted their sin more than God’s message of mercy to them.

Which way will you take? Going the same way you have been living, or turning from it to Christ for mercy and salvation?

Certainly, one of the hardest things to control at all times is the tongue. It is especially true when we get upset at someone – whether a co-worker, a store clerk, a spouse, or a child.

Yet, our Savior wants His children to exhibit control in that area as well. Either our tongues are under His control, or they are not. In fact, if He is not helping you control your tongue, then there is no telling what might come out of it if you are irritated by someone.

Proverbs 18:20,21 tells us that a person will reap what they sow with their tongue: “A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.“ Chances are that most people do not want to reap what they have sown with their words.

The One that we must be most concerned about pleasing with our speech is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew 12:36,37, He tells us that He watches over what we say: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

The Lord gives us instruction on how we should use our tongues. He tells us in Romans 14:19: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.“

Are you using your tongue to edify others? If not, are you willing to ask God to help control your tongue?

In John 5:24, Jesus clearly tied His very words to eternal salvation. He said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Jesus repeated this thought in John 6:63: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” With these words, Jesus testified that His words (and that of the Bible already in existence) must be understood and then believed for salvation. This means that there is no salvation apart from His words.

This makes it very important that anyone that wants to go to Heaven understand the message of the Bible concerning salvation. There is no other source of accurate information that came from God.

Because many people only have a surface knowledge of the Bible, they are unaware that the Bible provides a sure answer for those that want to know the truth about salvation and how to be saved. You really cab be sure that you are on your way to Heaven if you follow the Bible’s clear directions about being saved.

The Bible’s directions to get into God’s family can be completed quickly. You can be saved from He’ll right where you are – whether you are at home, at work, or even while commuting.

The way to be saved for sure comes from the Word of God. The Bible says that all that is needed is to repent (turn from sin in your heart) and believe only on Christ for salvation. Jesus said this in Mark 1:15: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.”

The word “repent” implies a confession of wrongdoing to God with an attitude of not wanting to do them anymore. Everyone, including you and me, has broken His commandments, as stated in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

The Gospel that you must believe is defined in I Corinthians 15:3,4: “that Christ died for sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” Notice that the “Gospel” that must be believed says nothing about works of any kind for salvation.

Believing the Gospel means that you repent and then ask Jesus Christ – in prayer directly to God – to forgive you and save you. He has already paid the full price for your sin. Now He just wants you to accept His gift of pardon and eternal life. Repenting and believing means that you have turned from sin and self-righteous works to love and serve God as you should.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).