THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST Epilogue to "Lordship

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST Epilogue to "Lordship One of the strangest things in my ministry has been to discover the multitude of Christians who have no working knowledge concerning the Christian's hour of reckoning, the believer's judgment. I am frequently, in this matter, reminded of a time in my college life when I had been granted the privilege of "unlimited cuts" since I had obtained a certain grade point average. This meant that I could not lose credit for missing class, so I proceeded to take advantage of this privilege. When I finally returned to class after more than a week's absence, I walked in on the day of a mid-semester examination. What a shock! I hadn't read the assignments and didn't even know the area of material to be covered. But I had to take the test! That will be the situation for countless numbers of believers. Our heavenly instructor has told us clearly what is required and has carefully announced the time and type of examination. In a very true sense, a consideration of these truths is most important for the believer today because it affects his priorities, motivations, and Christian life in every aspect. May this study help prepare and alert us for the test. Let's hit the subject head-on with specific scriptures that name this eternally significant event. "But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, 'As I live,' saith the Lord, 'every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then, every one of us shall give account of Page 1 of 11

himself to God." (Romans 14:10-12) "Wherefore we labor, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." (2 Corinthians 5:9-11) These are the only two times in the Word of God that the specific term "judgment seat of Christ" occurs, but the teachings concerning this examination are as numerous as any area of scriptural admonition. Please note carefully the pronoun used. In Romans 13, it is "we" shall stand at this seat, so that every one of "us" shall give account of himself. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, "we" are confident, verse 9 "we labor," and verse 10 "we must all appear." Now that is the pronoun of the family! It is not "they" or "them" but "we" and "us" the inclusive pronouns of the body of believers. One further note of importance on these passages is the suggestion of why we appear at this seat of examination. Is it by choice? May we in some manner avoid this situation? Romans 14:10 says, "...shall stand" and verse 12 says, "...shall give account." 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "...we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." In this chapter of Corinthians, the pronoun "we" is used 26 times and always refers to the children of God. The words "shall" and "must" leave no doubt about our keeping of that appointment! Page 2 of 11

We must quickly dissolve wrong understandings about this evaluation if we are to be guided by this study. This judgment seat has nothing to do with a decision concerning our salvation. In fact, as we have already stated, it is a family affair. There will be no unbelievers at this place. The very word that is translated "judgment" differs greatly from the word used for other judicial judgments such as the judgment of nations, the Great White Throne Judgment, and so forth. The original Greek word is "bema" and literally means a raised platform like on which the umpire of the Grecian games would sit and from which he watched the contestants and rewarded the winners. That specific seat was known as the "reward seat" and never had the concept of a judicial decision. Again, let us state specifically that this is not a place where the believer's salvation is brought into a condition of review; it is a place of inspection, examination, reward or loss based on life. To be even more specific, as we have stated frequently in the study on Lordship, every believer is called unto the "image of Jesus Christ" which, in its practical life, is to be lived as Jesus lived His earthly period of probation, namely that of the Sonservant. He lived His life according to the will of the Father and found His complete joy in that fulfillment. The form He had taken upon Himself according to Philippians 2 was the form of the "doulos" bondslave. So believers, called unto His image, are called to son-servants, living their period of probation beginning from their call to their coming to the Lord through death or the rapture of the saints at His return. In either case, the believer's next event in the race is the "stand" of evaluation. Thus, we can readily see that this "bema" will be the judging of the believer's servant hood under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This shall even be more obvious as we move through the Scriptures. Page 3 of 11

A Look at Scriptural Backgrounds Let us first remember a very clear scriptural principle: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Galatians 6:7-8) Of course, this states a law of God which applies to the natural and spiritual world and certainly applies to sinner and saint as well. But we must notice that the context of this verse of Scripture is an address to believers containing specific comments concerning Christian life and work. It states that the believer will receive or reap eternally the result of this sowing here. Another similar and related passage reads: "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6) The context here deals with Christian generosity and monetary investment for the cause and purpose of God in the gospel. Note the ninth verse of I Corinthians 3 that declares, "Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building...". Or, according to the Philips Translation, "You are a field under God's cultivation or, if you like, a house being built to His plan..." Every farmer is involved in the cycle of buying, planting, working land, and waiting with keen anticipation the reward of productivity abundant crops. God, at great price, has purchased and worked the soil of our lives. He expects results. That will be a major issue in that day of evaluation. Page 4 of 11

Now let us note parallel passages which were written by the Apostle Paul to two churches, but contain a great deal of similar teaching on this subject: "Doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same he shall receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free." (Ephesians 6:6b-8) "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done: and there is no respect of person." (Colossians 3:23-25) In the context of both of these Scripture portions, the Apostle has begun to address the servants who were in the church. However, he soon lifts his sights and broadens the statements to include all believers who definitely, in the Apostle's mind, are the servants of Jesus Christ. He advises both that there will be a time of reward for faithfulness, but warns also that we shall "receive for the wrong" which we have done. So far, in the scriptural background, we have had this judgment seat -"bema" as it is also called - described by the analogy of an expectant farmer who evaluates the land on the basis of its crop, and a master evaluating the good and bad works of a servant. A third analogy comes from Romans 14, one of the two locations where the specific term, "judgment seat of Christ," is used. The twelfth verse reads, "So then, everyone of us shall give account of himself to God." Again, notice the pronoun that of the family of believers us! I remember when, as a teenager, my father allowed me to drive Page 5 of 11

our brand new car for the first time alone. The car was beautiful. It seemed so, wide and long that I felt it was like a battleship. Oh, how careful I was so that it would not even be scratched. During that night, however, in a careless moment, I put the car in reverse while the door was open only to have it hit a tree and be driven into the front fender. I knew I would have to given an account. My family's largest single investment had been entrusted to my care. Although it had not been intentional, I was returning this precious investment in a condition worth less than when it had been given to me. The believer must "give account." This word of a ledger system even suggests a setting down or comparison of our blessings and opportunities; God's investment in us versus our profitable return to Him. This concept is further amplified in 2 Corinthians 5:9-22 as follows: "Wherefore we labor that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." This passage states that every believer shall actually appear or be manifested before the Lord. At that time, the results of his entire life "things done in his body according to that he hath done" will be reviewed. Now clearly, this does not mean a recounting of sin. The blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin. No! Sin will enter the issue only to the degree that its influence has kept us from being the profitable field, the worthy building, and the exemplary image of Jesus Page 6 of 11

Christ that the Holy Spirit attempted to help us be. But let us not gloss over this point. This will be a terrible moment. And it is the "terror" of this moment that is to be a great incentive to the believer to do the work and will of God. It has been said, with amusement, that after many centuries the best incentive to learning is still the examination or test. Paul makes it clear that being manifested before Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, may easily be heaven's most embarrassing moment. It will be so particularly for the Christian who has consumed the grace of God but has borne no fruit. We are working hard with all this in mind, states the Apostle in verse 9. A Look at I Corinthians 3 Above all, the scriptural passages concerning the believer's judgment and there are many more than we can possibly cover in this small study of the subject the passage in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians stands most prominent in many minds. In this passage, the writer uses one of the clearest analogies of all. 'Life is a building," he seems to be saying. We have initially a choice of foundations; the sand of the world or the foundation of solid rock, Jesus Christ. Christ is indeed Tie foundation that is laid." Thus, every believer begins with identical beginning, the foundation of Jesus Christ. The believer then begins to build upon that foundation. He builds with carelessness or craftsmanship; he chooses his materials well or builds cheaply. In the words of the Apostle, he builds of "gold, silver, precious stones, or he builds of "wood, hay, stubble." Can we doubt the meaning of the comparison? Then the message becomes specific. "Ever man's work shall be made manifest Page 7 of 11

(exactly the same word as 2 Corinthians 5:10, "every man shall appear or be manifest"): for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (I Corinthians 3:13) The alternatives for the Christian are: "If any man's work abide which he hath built upon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (I Corinthians 3:14-15) Here is a clear picture. Every believer begins his building when he receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior Christ the foundation. His building materials are shaped from attitudes, choices, priorities, maturity, carnality, Christian character or its lack, things he does which affect God, which affect others, which affect himself: doctrine, use of finance, stewardship of possessions and time, words, habits, motivations, the quality of his Christian service, and on and on. The list seems endless. Every day consciously or unconsciously, active or inactive we add to the structure of choosing the materials as it pleases us. But rapidly, there comes upon us the moment of inspection. So serious it is that it shall test the fabric of our building like a fire. Construction that is useless, careless, un-christ-like, selfish and carnal, shall quickly be consumed. Some Christians have so invested their lives that, when this is burned, nothing else will remain. Their Christian service shall be without reward. It will be as though they had never lived past their salvation. Others will experience loss, but shall find the fire powerless to consume what remains of true Christian works. These Page 8 of 11

shall be rewarded. And what better reward than to feel we have returned in wise investment the field and building which our blessed Lord purchased at the price of His life. Applying the Scalpel Actually, every portion of Scripture that explains how God intends the believer to live becomes part of the "evidence" at the judgment seat of Christ when it is finally determined if the Christian took this advice. Colossians 3 and Romans 14 are but facets of that discussion. I Corinthians 4:1-5 is also an example. Perhaps you are now asking, "Just where does this bring me? What should I do now?" Here are several points to consider: It should not surprise us that such a costly salvation, entrusted into the hands of men, shall demand an accounting. Think or read through the parables of the Lord. How many of them concern servants left with responsibilities and eventually are drawn up before their Lord for an accounting? Ask yourself this question: Does this scriptural review of the judgment seat of Christ make me more conscious of my responsibility of having received "so great a salvation?" There is a clear implication in the Scriptures that the believer who is exercised concerning this moment of judgment can make changes in his priorities and life that will make the "examination" more successful on his part. For example, clearly consider these words: For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." (I Corinthians 11:31-32) Page 9 of 11

We can scrutinize our lives now against a future judgment. We can change priorities and attitudes, review motivations and redirect our energies toward the things that matter in God's sight. Above all, may we remain open to the Holy Spirit to guide us into fruitful, spiritual Christian life and service. Allow me to share at the conclusion of our study a poem that has greatly helped me. Many Bible teachers I know keep this in their Bible. HIS PLAN FOR ME When I stand at the judgment seat of Christ and He shows me His plan for me, The plan of my life as it might have been had He had His way, And I see how I blocked Him here and I checked Him there, and I would not yield my will, Will there be grief in my Savior's eyes? Grief, though He loves me still? He would have made me rich, and I stand there poor, stripped of all but His grace While memory runs like a hunted thing down the paths I cannot retrace. Then my desolate heart will well-nigh break with tears that I cannot shed; I shall cover my face with my empty hands, I shall bow my uncrowned head. Lord, of the years that are left me, I give them to Thy hand; Take me and break me, mold me to the pattern Thou has planned. - Martha Snell Nicholson Page 10 of 11

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