The Weight of Opportunity: What Will You Do With Truth?

# The Weight of Opportunity: What Will You Do With Truth?

There's a sobering reality woven throughout Scripture that many of us would rather not confront: we will be judged not just for what we've done, but for what we had the opportunity to know and failed to act upon. This isn't about earning salvation through works—it's about the fruit that genuine faith inevitably produces in a transformed life.

## The Gospel That Changes Everything

The apostle Paul often referred to "my gospel" throughout his letters, a phrase that might initially seem possessive or even presumptuous. Yet there's profound significance here. Unlike the other apostles who walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry, Paul encountered the risen Christ on the Damascus road. Tradition and Scripture suggest he then spent three years in Arabia—the exact length of Jesus' earthly ministry—being taught directly by the Lord.

This wasn't Paul claiming ownership of the gospel, but rather testifying to its personal, transformative power in his life. He had received it directly from Jesus, and it had completely reoriented his existence from persecutor to proclaimer. The gospel isn't just information to be acknowledged; it's a life-altering encounter with the living God.

## Judged According to Opportunity

Romans 2:11-16 presents a crucial principle: God judges people according to what they had opportunity to know. For the Jews, this meant the Law given directly by God through Moses. They heard it read weekly in synagogues, studied it, and built their entire culture around it. They had no excuse for ignorance.

The Gentiles, meanwhile, didn't possess the written Law, but they had something equally significant—the law written on their hearts. Even without Scripture, humanity possesses an internal moral compass, a conscience that testifies to right and wrong. The ancient Greek philosophers recognized this universal moral awareness, and it remains true today.

But what about us? We possess something neither ancient Jews nor Gentiles had: complete access to the entire Bible. We can read it, study it, carry it with us digitally, and hear it taught regularly. This unprecedented access carries unprecedented responsibility.

**The books will be opened.** Revelation 20:11-12 paints a sobering picture of standing before God's throne as the record of our lives is laid bare—every action taken, every opportunity ignored, every excuse we made. "I was too tired." "I was too busy." "I had to work." "I meant to, but..." None of these will carry weight in that moment.

## Hearing Versus Doing

Perhaps the most challenging truth is this: merely hearing God's Word doesn't justify anyone. Romans 2:13 states plainly, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."

We can attend services every week, listen to sermons, even agree wholeheartedly with biblical teaching—and still be completely deceived about our spiritual condition. James 1:22-25 warns that hearing without doing is self-deception. It's like looking in a mirror, seeing your reflection, walking away, and immediately forgetting what you look like.

Faith comes by hearing, according to Romans 10:17, but genuine faith never remains passive. You can claim faith in a diet all you want, but until you actually follow it, you won't see results. You can believe a chair will hold you, but until you sit in it, you haven't truly trusted it.

Here's the startling reality: even demons believe in God. James 2:19 tells us they believe so strongly they tremble. What's the difference between demonic belief and saving faith? **Action. Fruit. Transformation.**

Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Love isn't just a feeling; it's demonstrated through obedience. When we hear truth and fail to act on it, James 4:17 identifies this clearly: "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

This means sin isn't just doing wrong things—it's also failing to do right things we know we should do. When God lays something on your heart and you ignore it, that's sin. When Scripture calls you to forgive and you refuse, that's sin. When you know you should serve but choose comfort instead, that's sin.

## The Greater Works Promise

Jesus made an astounding promise in John 14:12: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

Read that again. Jesus—God in flesh—said His followers would do greater works than He did. Where is this reality in our lives? Where are believers setting captives free from demonic oppression? Where are we healing the brokenhearted and proclaiming liberty to those bound by sin?

We're engaged in spiritual warfare whether we acknowledge it or not. Demons are real, active, and oppressing people all around us. Our fruit should include, through the power of Christ, liberating those held captive by the enemy.

This isn't optional. It's not a suggestion for super-spiritual Christians. It's Jesus' expectation for all who believe in Him.

## The Danger of a Double Life

Perhaps the most dangerous deception is living a double life—appearing righteous outwardly while harboring secret sin. Romans 2:16 warns that God "shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ."

Many people master the art of looking the part. Church face. Work face. Family face. Social media face. But God sees the heart. He knows the pornography addiction hidden behind the worship leader's smile. He sees the unforgiveness festering beneath the deacon's prayers. He knows about the gossip, the pride, the lust, the greed we carefully conceal from others.

A double-minded person is unstable in all their ways, according to James 1:8. Living multiple versions of yourself creates internal chaos and spiritual bankruptcy. You cannot serve two masters. You cannot honor God on Sunday and self the rest of the week.

Matthew 7:21-23 contains some of the most terrifying words in Scripture. Many will come to Jesus claiming they prophesied, cast out demons, and did wonderful works in His name. His response? "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Works without relationship mean nothing. Performance without genuine love for Christ leads to hell. It's entirely possible to do religious things with an unredeemed heart.

## The Question That Matters

So where does this leave us? With one crucial question: **What will you do with the truth you've heard?**

You cannot unhear it. You cannot claim ignorance. You now have opportunity to know, and with that opportunity comes responsibility.

Will you remain merely a hearer, deceiving yourself? Or will you become a doer, building your life on the solid rock of obedient faith?

The choice is yours. But remember—the books will be opened, and every opportunity will be accounted for.