On February 24th, 2002, eight-month pregnant Laci Peterson, of Modesto, California, went missing. Investigators learned her husband, Scott, had been carrying on affairs and that he had made several incriminating statements to his mistress fourteen days prior to Laci’s disappearance. Prosecutors believe Scott killed Laci and dumped her body in the ocean weighed down by chains. In mid-April, 2003, the partial bodies of Laci and her unborn son washed ashore. Apparently, Scott thought nobody would ever know about his affairs, discover the bodies of his family, or learn of his attempt to flee the country. But, Scott was arrested, his actions made public, and he was convicted of murdering his family.

Scott Peterson is admittedly an extreme example of a sinful person thinking no one will ever find out. However, most people who sin probably think their sin and motives will not be discovered. But such a notion is just not realistic. God always knows exactly what we do. When King Asa “… relied not on the Lord…” he learned, “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth…” (II Chronicles 16:7-9). The message was that God saw what he did. King David acknowledged the Lord “…knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off…for there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether…” (Psalm 139:1-10). Solomon learned “…God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Not only does God know our sin, it appears the sin of believers will be revealed when judged in eternity. Paul wrote that when Christ comes for us He “…will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart…” (I Corinthians 4:5). Paul is implying the sins of believers will be public at the Bema Seat when he wrote, ”Some men’s sins are open beforehand going into judgment; and some they follow after” (I Timothy 5:24; compare II Corinthians 5:8-11; Luke 12:2-3).

It is extremely sobering to think that when we stand before the Savior for Him to judge our life after salvation, that our sins will be exposed. That is exactly the point. The Lord informs us of this concept to motivate us toward a more pure walk with Him. Don’t be paralyzed by this future scene. Be motivated to live in such a way that you will be richly rewarded and highly praised at this time.