But each one's work will be shown for what it is; the Day will disclose it.
The knowledge that every act whether good or bad carries its own reward or punishment should create in us a certain fear of Hashem. When I say 'fear of Hashem' I do not mean just respect, but the actual fear of the consequences of breaking His rule. This system of 'measure for measure' is actually meant to be a form of soul-policing imposed on us by the Holy Spirit.
There are many who claim that since the time they have applied the blood of Yeshua upon their souls they are regenerated into sinless being and therefore are impervious to sin. They claim that through this process the Torah of God is written in their heart as it is said in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 33:31-33). I have no problem with that except that if it were true, with the amount of people in this nation, and in the world, who claim to have been regenerated, we should see a substantial decline in crime and immorality, which is not the case. Instead, man seems to be receiving upon its own head the fruit of his own rebellious nature and unchecked actions.
Only one hope remains.
In the End, at the time when judgment calls and the books are opened, we will each stand before God. In the presence of the Ancient of Days who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, we will stand on the scales of judgment and our lives will be measured and weighed for virtue (1 Corinthians 3:13). As the scales drastically tip to a negative balance, the accuser and prosecutor of our souls will shout, 'middah k'neged middah' or, 'measure for measure', this is the law of all the Heavens. In the deep silence and awe of the courtroom, the Defender and Redeemer of our soul will then approach to step on the other side of the scales adding to the balance the righteousness earned by virtue of His stripes and innocent suffering. As the scales now tip to the other side, He will also claim, 'middah k'neged middah', 'measure for measure'. With a knock of His gavel, the Judge of the earth will then proclaim the final sentence: "the measure has been met".
I get saddened when I hear people talking flippantly about sin. Just because they don't pay for it they think that their redemption is so-called free. It is only free for them because someone else pays for it. In this case, Yeshua paid the price in the measure of His dedicated life and cruel suffering on the cross.