Judgement Seat of Christ

Judgement Seat of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:10-15

The judgement seat of Christ or the “bema” is where Jesus Christ will evaluate the entire life of every Christian alive during the Church Age. (Pentecost to the Rapture of the church) This is not a judgement to see whether or not we enter into heaven. Christians have already been judged at the cross and we are passed the point of condemnation. (Romans 8:1, John 5:24, Galatians 2:20)  Rather this judgement is when God will personally reward us based on our earthly lives. (1 Corinthians 4:5) This judgment  will happen between the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) of the church and the second coming of Jesus Christ. (Luke 14:12-14, Revelation 19:8)

Bema: A place reached by steps or a platform. In Greek culture; it was where Olympians were awarded their medals. In the New Testament; it was also used to describe the judgement seat of Pilate and Festus.

2 Corinthians 5:10-15

¹⁰ 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.

·         Phaulos translated “bad” which means worthless or useless describes the mundane, neutral things that we did during our earthly lives that will not carry any eternal reward.

 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Romans 14:10-12

¹⁰ But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of ^[a] Christ. ¹¹ For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”

¹² So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

• This meeting is inescapable for all Christians alive during the Church Age.

·         God will ultimately judge our lives so we shouldn’t set ourselves up as judges towards other Christians.

1 Corinthians 3:10

¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

·         Each Christian Life will look different but faith in Christ is always the beginning.

1 Corinthians 4:5

⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the ^[a]counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

·         Our reward will personally come from Jesus Christ. (John 5:22)

1 John 2:28

²⁸ And now, little children, abide in Him, that ^[a]when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

·         It is possible that we will be ashamed if we squandered opportunities to serve Him.

Principles to Live By

1)      Make the most of your time to serve Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-16

¹⁵ See then that you walk ^[a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

2)      Never quit serving God because your reward is promised at the bema.

Galatians 6:9

⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

3)      Don’t dwell on past failures but keep your gaze fixed on moving forwards in your Christian faith.

Philippians 3:12-14

¹² Not that I have already attained,^[a] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have ^[b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

4)      Pursue God’s glory above selfishness.

Matthew 6:33 

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.