Q: #88. When a believer appears at the Judgment Seat Of Christ, will any of
his sins be brought up?
A: I must admit, until recently, I had not really put the time into
studying this that I should have. However, a recent little debate got me
looking into this more deeply . The person I was discussing this with did
not believe that any sins were brought up at the Judgment Seat Of Christ, and I
did, although I was not really sure I could explain why.
I came to find that there are basically 3 positions regarding sin at the
Judgment Seat:
1. No sins will be brought up.
2. Sins will be brought up, but not judged or punished.
3. Sins will be brought up, including unconfessed sins, and there will be
judgment, and possibly even some punishment.
The 2nd view is called a moderate view, and that is the position I hold. Let
me explain why I hold this view.
(2 Cor 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.
(1 Cor 3:12-15) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) 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. (14) If any man's
work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If
any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be
saved; yet so as by fire.
These verses tell us two things I would like to examine. First, if
there are "bad" things, and things that will be "burned up" at the judgment,
this certainly isn't things of which God approves. If God doesn't approve of
them, that tells me they are sin, and therefore, sin will be brought up at the
judgment.
In addition, the word "appear" in (2 Cor 5:10) comes from the Greek word
"phaneroo." According to Strongs, this word means "manifest as opposed to what
is concealed and invisible; To be revealed in one's true character." This is
what will happen to ALL believers at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. Christ is
going to TOTALLY examine our lives.
(Eccl 12:14) For God (Jesus) shall bring every work into judgment, with every
secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
(1 Cor 4:5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who
both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest
the counsels (motives) of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of
God.
EVERY aspect of our lives will be brought into the open. All secret things,
and things hidden in the darkness, will be brought to light. According to
(Rom 14:10-12), "every one of us shall give account of himself to God." When we
do, many of us will be ashamed (1 Jn 2:28).
Everything that we did all through our lives is going to be tried and
tested by fire. MANY things will be burned up. For example:
Things we did with wrong or selfish motives.
The deeds we did to be seen before men (Mt 6:16-17).
Things we did not do faithfully.
Wasted opportunities to bring God glory.
Missed opportunities to bless someone less fortunate.
Wasting our God given gifts.
I also believe this will be a time when:
Teachers will receive the stricter judgment (James 3:1).
Leaders will give an account (Heb 13:17).
We will give an account for not warning the wicked (Ezek 3:18).
We will answer for knowing to do good, and not doing it (James 4:17).
Can you imagine the sorrow as we see these missed opportunities pass by?
Can you imagine the shame as the motives of our hearts are revealed? Can you
imagine the sadness at seeing how much God had for us, if we had only taken it?
Can you imagine the heartbreak as we see the souls that could have been won?
Is it any wonder that God will wipe away tears (Rev 7:17)(Rev 21:4)?
Now, it might surprise you to hear me say this, but I still believe the
predominant emotions we will feel at this judgment are ones of JOY, PEACE, and
THANKFULNESS. Why?? Well, let me tell you .
Even though the balance of this study has been focused on the sins aspect
of this judgment (in response to the question asked), I do not believe the
majority of this judgment will be focused on our sins. It is for being rewarded!
This judgment is not punitive, nor will it be one of condemnation. Let me give
you a picture of how I view it.
I see it like a father having a talk with his son. Out of his love for him,
he wants to show him where he did wrong in some area. He isn't out to punish,
nor condemn him. The father wants to show him the path he should have taken,
and if he had, how much better off he would have been. For instance, in this
judgment, I picture Jesus as saying, "My son, WHY did you choose this, I
wanted so much to bless you there. WHY didn't you do this, I would have given
you a reward if only you had listened. I blessed you with SO many gifts, WHY
didn't you use them? I sent that person who needed help to you, because you
had a gift to help them, but you didn't use it...
Yes, this will be a sad moment as we see those rewards we could have had,
however, I also believe we will fully understand just how AWESOME the grace of
God is, and how much we needed it. We will understand that even while our lives
are being examined, we have TOTAL assurance that we will not be condemned, nor
judged for these failures. We will NOT lose our salvation! Judgment and
punishment for ALL of our sins was paid for by Jesus Christ on the cross.
(Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Jn 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Jesus Christ gave Himself that He might redeem us from all iniquity
(Titus 2:13).
In the Bible, Paul likens our lives on this planet to a race (1 Cor 9:24-27)
(Heb 12:1). We spend our whole lives training for and running this race. When we
die, the race is over. The Judgment Seat of Christ will be like the awards
stand (Judgment in the Greek is "Bema" which can actually mean this). Yes, I
would guess that few of us will receive a "first place trophy." but maybe some
reading this won't be that far away. However, we should keep something in mind.
What happens to those who don't win the race? Are they punished for not winning?
No! Are they judged or condemned for not finishing higher? No! Will they wish
they had run the race better? I think nearly everyone will.
There will be no sin in Heaven. Jealousy or envy is a sin (James 3:14-16)
(Gal 5:21,25-26)(Rom 13:13)(1 Pet 2:1). Therefore, I think we can conclude
that while we may miss out on rewards, we will not be jealous or envious over
those who got many rewards. We will rejoice with them, and completely
understand why they got those rewards. Won't it be wonderful to be rid of our
selfishness?
Friend, it is not too late! The treasures we lay up in Heaven will one day
be our rewards. Be rich with God instead of laying up treasures on Earth
(Lk 12:21). Do good, be rich in good works and deeds, be generous and willing
to share, to store up a good foundation for the time to come (1 Tim 6:18-19).
Be willing to sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have
treasure in Heaven (Mt 19:21)(Mk 10:21)(Lk 12:33)(Lk 18:22). Start today to lay
up treasures in Heaven that neither moth, nor rust can destroy, nor thieves can
steal (Mt 6:19-20), and that will be IMPERISHABLE (1 Cor 9:25). These are the
treasures that will survive the fire!
. The person I was discussing this with did
not believe that any sins were brought up at the Judgment Seat Of Christ, and I
did, although I was not really sure I could explain why.
I came to find that there are basically 3 positions regarding sin at the
Judgment Seat:
1. No sins will be brought up.
2. Sins will be brought up, but not judged or punished.
3. Sins will be brought up, including unconfessed sins, and there will be
judgment, and possibly even some punishment.
The 2nd view is called a moderate view, and that is the position I hold. Let
me explain why I hold this view.
(2 Cor 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.
(1 Cor 3:12-15) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) 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. (14) If any man's
work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If
any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be
saved; yet so as by fire.
These verses tell us two things I would like to examine. First, if
there are "bad" things, and things that will be "burned up" at the judgment,
this certainly isn't things of which God approves. If God doesn't approve of
them, that tells me they are sin, and therefore, sin will be brought up at the
judgment.
In addition, the word "appear" in (2 Cor 5:10) comes from the Greek word
"phaneroo." According to Strongs, this word means "manifest as opposed to what
is concealed and invisible; To be revealed in one's true character." This is
what will happen to ALL believers at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. Christ is
going to TOTALLY examine our lives.
(Eccl 12:14) For God (Jesus) shall bring every work into judgment, with every
secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
(1 Cor 4:5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who
both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest
the counsels (motives) of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of
God.
EVERY aspect of our lives will be brought into the open. All secret things,
and things hidden in the darkness, will be brought to light. According to
(Rom 14:10-12), "every one of us shall give account of himself to God." When we
do, many of us will be ashamed (1 Jn 2:28).
Everything that we did all through our lives is going to be tried and
tested by fire. MANY things will be burned up. For example:
Things we did with wrong or selfish motives.
The deeds we did to be seen before men (Mt 6:16-17).
Things we did not do faithfully.
Wasted opportunities to bring God glory.
Missed opportunities to bless someone less fortunate.
Wasting our God given gifts.
I also believe this will be a time when:
Teachers will receive the stricter judgment (James 3:1).
Leaders will give an account (Heb 13:17).
We will give an account for not warning the wicked (Ezek 3:18).
We will answer for knowing to do good, and not doing it (James 4:17).
Can you imagine the sorrow as we see these missed opportunities pass by?
Can you imagine the shame as the motives of our hearts are revealed? Can you
imagine the sadness at seeing how much God had for us, if we had only taken it?
Can you imagine the heartbreak as we see the souls that could have been won?
Is it any wonder that God will wipe away tears (Rev 7:17)(Rev 21:4)?
Now, it might surprise you to hear me say this, but I still believe the
predominant emotions we will feel at this judgment are ones of JOY, PEACE, and
THANKFULNESS. Why?? Well, let me tell you