Understanding the Judgment Seat of Christ
The judgment seat of Christ is one of the most important yet misunderstood concepts in Christian theology. While many believers focus on salvation, few consider what happens after we're saved -specifically, how our Christian lives will be evaluated and rewarded.
What Is the Judgment Seat of Christ?
Not About Salvation, But About Rewards
The judgment seat of Christ is fundamentally different from the great white throne judgment. As Christians, our guilt or innocence was already determined at Calvary when we accepted Christ. "'For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son'" - John 5:22
God judged every person at Calvary, which is why Jesus could say "it is finished." Our sins are removed from us "'as far as the east is from the west'" - Psalm 103:12 This distance never closes - you can walk east forever and never reach west.
The Greek Understanding of "Bema"
The Greek word for judgment seat is "bema" - not a courtroom bench, but a raised platform where judges handed out rewards at athletic events. This judge monitored the rules and distributed proper rewards to winners and losers. At Christ's judgment seat, Christians will be judged for our performance as believers, with some receiving rewards and others suffering loss of rewards (not salvation).
Why Does Christian Living Matter?
We Are Called to Newness of Life
"'What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?'" - Romans 6:1-2
When we're saved, we're saved to a new life. Being born again means something significant has changed. If you can sin carelessly with no regard to this new life, you need to examine yourself. True Christians will not continually live carelessly in sin.
We Are Builders on Christ's Foundation
"'According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made 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'" - 1 Corinthians 3:10-13 .
Once saved, we become builders with Jesus Christ as our foundation. We either build with supernatural materials produced by the Holy Spirit (gold, silver, precious stones) or with natural human efforts (wood, hay, stubble). Even good deeds done without the Holy Spirit's leading will burn like wood, hay, and stubble.
How Can Christians Earn Rewards?
By Sharing the Gospel
"'And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or fathers, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life'" - Mark 10:29-30 .
When you share the gospel with Christ as number one in your life, you will be rewarded regardless of whether anyone accepts what you share. Your reward is based on your faithfulness in sharing, not on results.
By Exhibiting Christian Kindness
"'And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward'" - Matthew 10:42 .
Simple acts of kindness done in Christ's name will be rewarded. Whether it's handing out water at a fair or meeting the needs of the youngest child or oldest saint, Christ notices and rewards Christian kindness.
By Supporting Your Pastor
"'He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward'" -Matthew 10:41.
Receiving your pastor with open arms, taking care of his needs, and praying for his ministry will be rewarded. You'll receive the same reward as the pastor because of your support.
By Keeping Christian Company
The second part of Matthew 10:41 shows that we're rewarded by keeping company with other Christians. Christians miss out on great strength and power by not fellowshipping with other believers. Church attendance and Christian fellowship are not optional for spiritual growth.
By Enduring Temptation
"'Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him'" - James 1:12.
The crown of life isn't eternal life (that's already given at salvation) but a quality of life available to Christians who rely on Christ instead of flesh when facing temptation.
"'There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it'" - 1 Corinthians 10:13.
God always provides a way out of temptation. When you take that way out, you'll be rewarded.
What Is the Purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ?
To Prepare the Bride for the Wedding
The church is currently betrothed to Christ, like Mary was to Joseph. The judgment seat of Christ prepares the bride to be presented to the bridegroom.
"'Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints'" - Revelation 19:7-8.
Notice it says "righteousness of saints," not "righteousness of Christ." We will have been purified and made ready.
To Assign Responsibilities for Eternity
During the millennium, Christians will have responsibilities given out at the judgment seat of Christ. We will be rewarded with authority to reign.
"'And hath made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth'" - Revelation 5:10.
"'It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself'" - 2 Timothy 2:11-13.
To Judge Fallen Angels
"'Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?'" - 1 Corinthians 6:2-3.
Christians will be given authority to judge fallen angels. Those who caused trouble on earth will be judged by the very people they tormented.
Why Should We Care About Rewards?
We Will Cast Our Crowns Before Christ
"'The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created'" - Revelation 4:10-11.
Can you imagine sitting around Christ's throne when the call comes to throw your rewards at His feet, and you have none to throw? Yes, you're saved and in heaven, but you were also supposed to lay up treasures in heaven.
Living Boldly Without Fear
"'Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him'" - 2 Corinthians 5:9.
"'Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment'" - 1 John 4:17.
If we live our lives with Christ as number one, we have nothing to worry about in this world or the world to come.
Life Application
This week, examine your daily life through the lens of eternity. Are you building with gold, silver, and precious stones, or with wood, hay, and stubble? Every interaction with another human being is an opportunity to earn rewards or suffer loss.
Consider these questions as you evaluate your Christian walk:
• Am I allowing Christ to live through me in my daily interactions?
• Do I look for opportunities to share the gospel and show Christian kindness?
• Am I faithfully supporting my church and pastor through prayer and encouragement?
When faced with temptation, do I look for God's way of escape?
• Am I using my spiritual gifts to serve others and glorify God?
Remember, you're not standing still as a Christian - you're either earning rewards or suffering loss. The judgment seat of Christ isn't about condemnation but about rewards and responsibilities in eternity. Live boldly for Christ, knowing that every faithful act done in His name will be rewarded when you stand before Him.