1. God's just standard (6-11)

God's judgment is righteous because he is just. He judges every person according to what that person has done. His righteous standard is Jesus (16). God does not look at the outward things, but at the inner motives of the heart--at what a man seeks. Man was created to glorify God. When a man seeks glory, honor and immortality from God, God will give him eternal life. But when men are self-seeking and reject the truth to follow evil, there will be wrath and anger, trouble and distress.

2. Not what we know, but what we do (12-16)

God does not judge us by how much we know but by how we put what we know into practice. Those who know the Bible will be judged more strictly. But God created all men in his image, with consciences, so every man can know enough to be responsible for his own choices and his actions. God judges the secrets of the heart by the perfect standard, Jesus.

Application: Lord, I want to seek you, and glorify you. Forgive my self-seeking habits.
One Word: Who can stand before the Judge?