Living Joyfully Under Christ’s Gaze
"Walking joyfully in the light of His loving gaze."
Oswald Chambers, in today’s entry from My Utmost for His Highest, gently reminds me that the judgment seat of Christ is not merely a distant reality, but a present-day invitation to live transparently under His gracious gaze. Judgment is often misunderstood as something frightening, something to dread at the end of life. But Chambers reveals it as an opportunity—a chance to experience the liberating purity of Christ’s loving inspection right now. It’s about allowing Jesus to show me what He has been doing in me all along, affirming His loving workmanship rather than merely exposing faults.
This posture of transparency before Christ also radically reshapes how I view others. I am not to judge, lest I invite a destructive hardness into my own heart. Chambers vividly describes the danger of even one worldly judgment against another person. Such judgments, seemingly harmless at first, eventually consume me from within, creating an internal hell, a persistent bitterness and blindness that numbs me to sin itself.
Yet, even here, Chambers offers hope: Judgment itself is not something I can conquer by mere determination or religious effort. Instead, it’s only through the continual power and presence of the Holy Spirit that true freedom from judgmental attitudes becomes mine. Walking in the light means looking only at Jesus—His holiness, His purity, His love—as my standard, not imposing my own standards upon others. This daily, moment-by-moment awareness brings me to rest joyfully under Christ’s loving and cleansing judgment.
Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture
Beloved, you stand before the judgment seat of Christ, clothed not in fear but in righteousness. There is now no condemnation for you because you are in Christ Jesus. You are My workmanship, created anew in Christ to walk in the good works prepared for you beforehand. Set your heart and mind upon things above, not on earthly things, because you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, appears, you will also appear with Him in glory.
Therefore, judge nothing before its appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the true motives of the heart. You are not called to judge others, for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. But if you keep yourself under My grace, living in My light, you will have fellowship with Me, and the blood of Jesus continually purifies you from all unrighteousness.
Do not allow bitterness to take root and defile your heart, but put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Keep yourself in My love, and let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Remember, it is I who work in you, both to will and to act according to My good pleasure. Trust that I am faithful; I will sanctify you completely—your spirit, soul, and body kept blameless at the coming of your Lord Jesus Christ. I who call you am faithful, and I will surely do it.
(Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:2-4; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Matthew 7:2; 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 12:15; Colossians 3:14-15; Jude 1:21; Philippians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
Prayer of Trust and Thanksgiving
Father, thank You for placing me in Christ, where I stand complete and unafraid in Your presence. I rest confidently in the truth that Your judgment is not to condemn but to lovingly reveal the beautiful work You have accomplished in me through Jesus. I rejoice in Your Spirit, who faithfully continues Your transforming work within, freeing me from every temptation to judge others. Lord, You have already provided everything I need to walk daily in Your pure and loving light. Thank You for keeping me secure in Your grace, moment by moment. I celebrate the joy of living transparently before You, knowing my life is hidden safely and eternally in Your beloved Son. Amen.
Insight adapted from Oswald Chambers' devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest," entry: "The Judgment Seat of Christ."
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Image Intent:
An inviting, peaceful pathway bathed in soft sunlight filtering through trees, representing openness, freedom, and transparency before Christ.