Psalm 1:5 read “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” Because the ungodly are like chaff that the wind blows away to be burned in an unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12), they will not stand in the judgment, but the verse does not stop there, it goes on to state that the sinner (willful) will not stand in the congregation of the righteous.
The Bible records that it is appointed unto man, once to die and after that the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). This means that all of the dead, which includes the believers (both spiritual and carnal) and unbelievers (ungodly) will stand before God and be judged (justified) based on their works (James 2:24) recorded in the books (Revelation 20:12-13). Then a book, which is the book of life is opened and the one whose name is not recorded in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire, which is second death (Revelation 20:14-15).
Who are those who will be cast into the lake of fire? It is not just the unbeliever (ungodly) who chooses to reject and despise Jesus, unrepentant of their sins, but it is also the believer who chooses to willingly live a sinful life (walking according to the flesh), despite the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). Jesus said, he will not blot out the name of the ones who overcome (who don’t deny Christ Jesus before men, by their lips or lives (Titus 1:16)), from the book of life (Revelation 3:5). implying that the names were recorded in the book of life, when they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, but it can be blotted out, if they fall away in their faith and not overcome. The Bible is very clear that if a believer willfully lives a sinful life, and walks not according to Spirit but according to the flesh (Romans 8:1), after the knowledge of Salvation found in Jesus Christ, then there remains no more sacrifice by which that believer can be saved, because they have trampled under foot the Son of God, and counted the blood of his covenant, which brings about the remission of all sin, as an unholy thing (Hebrews 10:26-29). Such a carnal believer (sinner) can only look forward to a certain fearful judgment and fiery indignation, being condemned in the lake of fire as their names will be blotted out and this sinner will not stand in the congregation of the righteous.
Points to ponder:
Let us not be ungodly, but let us believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and repent of our sins and if we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and confessed of our sins, let us not continue to willfully sin against him, lest we be counted among those who are cast into the lake of fire and not be able to stand in the congregation of the righteous.
Psalm 1:5 (KJV)
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Revelation 20:11-15 (KJV)
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Hebrews 10:26-29 (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Revelation 3:4-5 (KJV)
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Titus 1:16 (KJV)
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
