The Judgment Seat of Christ

Help me to see You more clearly, Lord, as I focus on these truths. Amen


"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" (2 Corinthians 5:10)


We can thank God we don't have to go before the Great White Throne to face judgment for our sins, which are under the blood of Jesus! But there is another reckoning for us as Christians at the judgment seat of Christ.


The word "judgment" seat here is the Greek word "bema", which was a raised platform on the Olympic field where athletes received their rewards. At the end of our race, we  will be rewarded for how we have lived our lives for Christ. Our works will be reviewed and tested by God's purifying fire to see what remains:


Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 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. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward" (1 Corinthians 3:12-14).


Jesus Christ is the foundation for our spiritual lives. Whatever we build on that foundation will be put to God's torch test. Anything made of inferior materials will be incinerated.


God is looking for quality, not quantity. A handful of diamonds is worth more than a truckload of hay. And He'll be judging motivation, rather than achievement. Whatever you do for the Lord, do it with a willing heart, desiring to please Him (1 Corinthians 9:17). God neither wants nor rewards anything you would offer Him begrudgingly. Give cheerfully; praise freely; pray sincerely; serve willingly; share Christ joyfully - because you want to bring joy and glory to Him!


The gold and silver and jewels from our lives may be the materials  for the crowns we will la at Jesus' feet! (Revelation 4:10). So when you stand before Him, will anything in your life endure? Or will everything you've lived for go up in smoke?


~Adrian Rogers~