Since Jesus already forgave our sins on the cross, on Judgment Day we will be judged and rewarded for our acts of righteousness, not for our sins. That’s not to say sin has no effect on us. Sin can still affect us by opening the door for Satan to attack us as long as we are still on this earth. When we do not walk by faith, we give Satan the right to destroy our lives (Romans 14:23). Through sin we can separate ourselves from God’s protection.

First John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Forgiveness removes Satan’s legal right to our life. On the Day of Judgment, Christians will be judged for the works they did during their lifetime. We will be rewarded according to what we have done. (See 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3; Romans 14; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; and Revelation 11:18, 22:12.)