Scriptural Passages:
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the
body, whether good or evil.
Romans 14:10c
For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;
1 Corinthians 3
11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which
is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—13 each one's work will become
manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire,
and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that
anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If
anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be
saved, but only as through fire.
Salvation is through grace by faith in Jesus Christ and
not based upon works, but yet we are called to do good works once we are saved.
(Ephesians 2:8-10) There are two main judgments
seats or tribunals in Scripture; one is the Great White Throne Judgment for
those who do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Revelation 20) and the
Bema Seat for followers of Jesus Christ.
The focus of this post is on the Bema Seat.
What is the Background of the Bema Judgment Seat?
The major cities of the biblical regions during the Roman
Era had raised judgment platforms and seats, Bema Seats. Paul’s original audiences would have been
very familiar with Bema Seats. The main
two functions of these seats were for official government business and crowning
victorious Olympians. Additionally, the
context of the three above passages demonstrates that the Bema Seat Judgment of
Christ is for believers in contrast to the Great White Throne Judgment.
What is the Purpose of Christians being Judged?
“Apparently, we (believers) will be judged/ rewarded for
our motives, availability, and use of spiritual gifts. Sin and sins have been completely dealt with
in Christ’s substitutionary death, but discipleship is an issue!”[1]
(Romans 8:1) All Christians are give
spiritual gifts on top of natural abilities, sometimes the spiritual gifts are
enhancements of natural abilities but the purpose of the gifts are to bring
glory to God by furthering the Kingdom. (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:4-6a) Therefore,
there will be a judgment on how we use our gifts, as in how we live our daily
lives on this Earth.
What is the outcome of the Judgment Seat? (See 1 Corinthians
3 above)
Works with the wrong motives will be revealed and burned
up.
On the other hand, good works will receive a reward.
Five unique crowns for good works:
1.
Incorruptible Crown (1
Corinthians 9:24-27) - Those believers who live a disciplined life, purging of physical
inducements and pleasures of this world will receive this crown.
2.
Crown of Life (Revelation
2:10) - This crown is also known as the Martyr’s Crown for those who have
suffered for the faith, especially unto death.
3.
Crown of Glory (1 Peter
5:2-4) - Also known as the Shepherd’s Crown this reward is for faithful ministers
(all ministers not just fulltime pastoral staff at a local church) of the Word
of God.
4.
Crown of Righteousness (2
Timothy 4:8) - Although similar to the Incorruptible Crown, this crown is
different in that this one if for believers who live their live in the hope of
the imminent return of Jesus Christ and therefore live a holy and righteous
life for His glory. Somehow the doctrine of the imminent return of Christ has a
purifying effect upon believers, see Titus 2:12-14 and 1 John 3:2-3.
5.
Crown of Rejoicing (1
Thessalonians 2:19-20) - This crown is reserved for those who bring people to
the Lord, both publically like in evangelistic services and privately with individual
Christians ministering to the Lost and leading them to Christ.
What are we to do?
These truths should dramatically change the way we live,
for our actions will be evaluated by our Master.[2] So, the point of all this is that as we grow
in our walk with the Lord, discipleship, there will be changes in our attitudes
and behaviors that will lead to more and more good works for His glory. 2 Corinthians 13:5 states that we are to test
ourselves to see if we are in the faith, because if we are, than we will live as
a new creation or creatures from 2 Corinthians 5:17.
May the Lord Bless and Keep You!
[1] Robert James Utley, vol. Volume 6, Paul’s Letters to a Troubled Church: I and
II Corinthians, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons
International, 2002), 238.
[2] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay
Allen and H. Wayne House, Nelson’s New
Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 2 Co
5:9–10.
