WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JUNE 23, 2025
TOPIC: JUDGMENT DAY: GOD HAS ALL THE EVIDENCE AGAINST SINNERS
BY T. O. BANSO
“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 New International Version).
Not many guilty people go to court and plead guilty. Most times, when they know they are guilty, they still plead not guilty. Some people have said that’s the fault of their lawyers who assure them they can help them win their cases. In many cases, some guilty persons have been declared innocent based on the evidence before the court.
God is the perfect judge. One may do evil and go into hiding, and nobody knows he is the perpetrator. However, God knows. The earthly judge may declare a guilty person innocent but that doesn’t mean that the person is free in the court of God. Everything doesn’t end here on earth. We may hide our sins, but nothing is hidden from God.
Hebrews 4:13 says there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. On Judgment Day, God will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts (1 Corinthians 4:5b).
You have committed some sins. You may even have escaped the punishment by the human authorities. But don’t let that give you false confidence that you’re smart and you can continue to do that. Some people felt like that in the past but today they know better. The long arm of the law eventually caught up with them or their crimes were uncovered somehow. But punishment by the civil authorities is little compared to eternal punishment in hellfire. That’s why God has given room for repentance. Nevertheless, the opportunity will not last forever.
The Bible says in 1 John 1:8-10, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us” (New King James Version). Addressing the people of Athens, who were worshipping the God they didn’t know, Paul said, “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30 New International Version).
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). As I have said, most guilty people don’t admit that before the court. They believe there is no evidence or not enough evidence to find them guilty. As the maxim goes, “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.”
Truly, there may not be any evidence before a court to convict an accused person or declare a defendant in a case guilty. However, it does not mean there is no evidence before God. Therefore, nobody should be encouraged to continue to do evil or commit sin. We may escape human justice, but we cannot escape the justice of God.
To escape justice, people could even desperately destroy the piece of evidence that could be used against them. It is not new. Such people could succeed and walk away freely but God the judge of all, will one day give His judgment (Hebrews 12:23b). “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 New International Version). People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Each person shall give an account of himself to God (Romans 14:12). And the truth is this: He has all the evidence already.
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. There is evidence though it may be before human beings presiding over your case, it is right before God. You may conceal, hide, or destroy the evidence that proves you’re guilty, but you can’t do that with God; it’s already in His possession.
Repent! Numbers 32:23b says, “Be sure your sin will catch up with you” (Christian Standard Bible). Repent before it does, either on this earth or on Judgment Day. Someone may believe that nobody saw him when he committed an offence or sinned. He can only be sure that he didn’t see anybody. Nevertheless, he can’t be sure nobody saw him. Such a person may be shocked one day when someone comes forward as an eyewitness or presents against him the evidence he never thought existed. Every sin starts with a lie, such as nobody will know or find out.
Some people feel that they have covered their tracks very well, but they are exposed later. Moses did that too. But he was wrong. Exodus 2:12 says that when Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren, he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
Moses thought nobody knew he had killed an Egyptian and buried him in the sand. On the second day, two Hebrew men were fighting in Egypt, and Moses tried to be a peacemaker. But the Hebrew, who was wrong, told Him, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Exodus 2:14a New International Version). The Hebrew Moses defended against an Egyptian and witnessed the murder, might have told somebody and the news spread.
Moses knew his action would have grave consequences. He feared and said, “What I did must have become known” (Verse 14b New International Version). As soon as Pharaoh heard about the murder, he sought to kill Moses, and he fled to the land of Midian.
Referring to this incident, the book of Acts says, “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons” (Acts 7:27-28 New International Version).
Confess and renounce (forsake) your sin. Don’t try to cover up your sin. Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (New International Version).
Cain probably thought nobody would have evidence that he killed his brother, Abel! He told him to let them go out to the field. Abel didn’t suspect any evil intention, and he went with him. Cain rose against him and killed him. God enquired from him about the whereabouts of his brother. God asked the question not because He didn’t know the answer. However, Cain gave a rude answer. “‘How should I know?’ Cain retorted. ‘Am I supposed to keep track of him wherever he goes?’” (Genesis 4:9 Living Bible). Did you see Cain’s rude answer? Instantly, Cain did not escape the judgment of God (verses 10-15). God produced the evidence against him. “The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground” (verse 10 New International Version). God always has all the evidence; He doesn’t ask for any. No lawyer will defend anyone before Him! The lawyer will face Him for his account. Repent before it’s too late.
David should have repented of his sin of sexual immorality with Bathsheba, but he chose to engage in a cover-up by killing Uriah, the husband of the woman he impregnated. He killed a very loyal, dedicated, and innocent officer. But David covered one sin with another sin! He covered adultery with murder! That was foolishness. Uriah might not be alive, but God exposed David’s two sins through the prophet Nathan. God had the evidence that David thought he had destroyed! However, He immediately admitted his guilt. Nevertheless, he wasn’t free from the consequences of his actions. God pronounced His judgment on him but forgave him, not allowing him to die (2 Samuel 12:7-13).
After Nathan had confronted David about his sins of adultery and murder, he was shattered. David is believed to have written Psalm 51 when Nathan came to confront him with his sin of adultery and murder. He said in verses 3-4, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge” (New International Version).
Confess your sins promptly. Don’t be deceived that there is no evidence against you. David said in Psalm 32:3-4, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (New International Version).
Another example is that of Ahab and Jezebel. Jezebel plotted the murder of Naboth so that her husband, King Ahab, could possess the vineyard Naboth had refused to sell to him to use for his vegetable garden or exchange it for another vineyard. The law forbade Israelites from selling family inheritance; tribal inheritance must be kept within the tribe. If it is sold in an extreme case of poverty, it must be returned to the original owner in the year of release or Jubilee (Leviticus 25:23-28; Numbers 36:7-9).
Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and other leaders of the city where Naboth lived. She asked them to call the citizens together for fasting and prayer and give Naboth a place of honour. Then they should find two scoundrels who would accuse him of cursing God and the king. After which they take him out and stone him to death (1 Kings 21:8-10). Unfortunately, the elders and nobles of Naboth’s city did exactly that.
It appeared to be a neat job. Jezebel told her husband to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard because he was dead. The only obstacle had been removed. There is no record that Ahab asked how he died. He went to take possession. He must have felt there was evidence against him possessing the vineyard. But God had the evidence.
He said to Elijah the Tishbite: “Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’” (New International Version). Ahab and his wife had been exposed. What they thought was top secret would become an open secret!
When Elijah met Ahab in Naboth’s vineyard, he didn’t know he was already in serious trouble and asked Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” (Verse 20a New King James Version). But by the time Elijah finished delivering God’s judgment to him, he became sober. He tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted; he lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Because Ahab humbled himself before the LORD, He told him that the judgment on Ahab’s house would not begin in his days but in the days of his son. Ahab’s house didn’t escape God’s judgment, which was carried out by Jehu, who even went beyond what God commanded him to do.
Repent of your sins today. You may escape human judgment, but not God’s unless you repent. God is a perfect judge. Stop pretending. You may be righteous in your eyes, but your righteous acts are like filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6).
These words of Jesus are still valid today: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:27-28 New King James Version). If you’ll come to Him today, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18).
God has all the evidence against everyone. Whoever comes to Him, He will not turn away (John 6:37b). Isaiah 55:7 says, “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon” (New International Version).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, I confess my sins to You. No more cover-up. Forgive me, Lord. Holy Spirit, help me to live according to the Word of God; empower me to live victoriously over sin. Father, touch the hearts of sinners who outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly are full of sin.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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