||Rhema for the Week||

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” — II Corinthians 5:10

One of the fundamental tenets of the Christian Faith is the belief in God’s final judgment or Christ’s Second Coming. It keeps us focused on believing and living as Christians because we will be held accountable for whatever we do now in this flesh. However, the idea of this judgment has become so tainted by how the world perceives it as a day of doom and gloom that even Christians have adopted this mental picture.

But the righteous approaches God’s judgement with a completely different attitude. Just as in any court of law, your confidence and attitude before a trial depend greatly on your standing before the judge. A guilty man dreads the verdict, while one whose case has already been settled does not approach the court with the same fear. Scripture says that each person will receive according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, what awaits the righteous cannot be viewed in exactly the same way as what awaits the unrighteous. The question then becomes: what is your standing before the Judge?

Interestingly, the phrase “judgment seat of Christ” in II Corinthians 5:10 comes from the Greek word Bēma. The Bēma was an elevated judgment platform in the Greco-Roman world from which official decisions were pronounced and, in certain settings, rewards were presented. Paul uses this familiar picture to describe the believer’s appearance before Christ. Every Christian will stand before the Lord and give an account of what he did with the life, grace, gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities entrusted to him. For the believer, therefore, the judgement seat of Christ is not to be understood simply as a place of condemnation, but also as a place of accountability and reward.

There is something known as the Assurance of Salvation. It is the hope and confidence the Holy Spirit gives to a believer concerning his salvation. Scripture says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). It is your spirit agreeing with the Holy Spirit that you belong to God. When one has this assurance, he does not live terrified of Christ’s appearing. On the contrary, he embraces it and even calls for it: Maranatha—O Lord, come! As believers, we do not run from Christ’s coming; we yearn for it. We are “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). No one runs away from the day his faithful service is to be rewarded.

Let us understand that our salvation hinges solely on the finished work of Christ and our faith in Him. We are saved by grace through faith, “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our good works do not purchase salvation. However, salvation does not remove accountability. The life we live after receiving salvation matters before God, and Scripture teaches that our works will be examined.

Revelation 20:12 gives the solemn picture of books being opened, including the Book of Life, and of men being judged according to their works. This shows us that God’s judgement takes into account what has been done in this life. For the Christian, therefore, the question is not only whether his name belongs to Christ, but also what he has done with the life Christ gave him. Even among those who belong to Christ, Scripture speaks of differences in reward according to faithfulness.

I Corinthians 3:11-15 makes this particularly clear. Paul first establishes that Jesus Christ is the foundation. A Christian does not build the foundation of his own salvation; Christ is already that foundation. But Paul then describes what each believer builds upon that foundation using the imagery of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. These materials represent the differing quality of our works.

Then comes the fire. I Corinthians 3:13-15 says that every man’s work will be tested to reveal its quality. If his work survives, he receives a reward; if it is burned, he suffers loss, “but he himself will be saved.” Notice that it is the work being tested, not the foundation—Christ remains the foundation. Salvation is received through faith in Christ, while reward concerns what we have done with the salvation, grace, gifts, and opportunities He has given us.

The Bēma Seat should therefore produce neither fear nor carelessness, but faithfulness. Paul looked forward to the Day when “the Lord, the righteous Judge,” would give him the crown of righteousness (II Timothy 4:8). He was not running from that Day; he was anticipating it.

As Christians, we therefore do not see Christ’s Second Coming through the same lens as unbelievers. We hope for it, yearn for it, call for it, and prepare for it. We look forward to the appearing of our King, the gathering of the saints, and the reward of faithful service. As children of light, that Day should not overtake us as a thief (I Thessalonians 5:1-5); we should be watching, waiting, and ready for His coming.

Further reading: 1 Cor 3:11–15, 2 Cor 5:10, Romans 8:16, Titus 2:13, Revelation 22:20