“Paul…spoke of faith in Christ…discussing righteousness, self-control and judgment to come” (Acts 24:24-25).
The Judgment Seat (Gr. bema) where Paul appeared before Gallio (Acts 18:12)
Some think they can cleverly escape the consequence of their crimes. For example, the U.S. has only a 61% conviction rate for murders.There are many criminals on death row that file innumerable appeals as a delaying tactic, trying to evade their just end. The rich who are guilty of a crime can buy the best lawyers to try to evade justice.
However, “judgment to come” is a coming day when a higher court will render a final, infallible verdict that cannot be evaded, to which no appeal can be made.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).
What do we learn about this inevitable appointment before the judgment bar of Christ?
1. Judgment will be Universal: “All” who have ever lived will be there. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). We may cancel or postpone an appointment with a doctor or get a “continuance” to delay our day in court, but this is one appointment we will all have to keep (Rev. 20:11-15).
2. Judgment will be Revealing: We must “appear” (“be made manifest,” ASV), which translates the Greek word phaneroo: “to make…visible or known what has been hidden or unknown” (Thayer).
A man may outwardly appear to be pure and good while inwardly he cherishes and indulges in secret sins which defile his soul and makes him unfit for heaven (1 Tim. 5:24-25). Politicians and public figures are humiliated and disgraced when their private, nefarious deeds are exposed. Others never get caught. Yet no one will escape the all-seeing eye of God (Heb. 4:12, 13). It is foolish to conceal our pet sins from others, only to have them exposed before the whole universe on the day of judgment!
3. Judgment will be Personal: “…That everyone may receive the things done in his body.” We cannot blame anyone else for our fate, because we alone are responsible for ourselves (Rom 14:12). “The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezek. 18:20).
4. Judgment will be Based on our Earthly Life: “…That everyone may receive the things done in his body.” There is no second chance after death (Lk. 16:26). How we end this life is what we will forever be in eternity (Jn. 5:28-29, Rev. 22:12). There is a complete and perfect record being kept in heaven of all we think, say and do.
5. Judgment will be Righteous: “…According to what he has done, whether good or bad.” God’s faithful people can gladly look forward to rewarding rest at the return of Christ, while the disobedient will receive eternal vengeance (2 Thess. 1:7-9). No wonder the Lord is so longsuffering with sinners (2 Pet. 3:9). Those who die lost, by living in disobedience to God, will remain separated from Him for all eternity.
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 24), be thanksgiving and glory forever through the Lord Jesus!
At the Judgment Seat of Christ, there will be a day of reward and vindication for the saving grace of the gospel. The justified in Christ, who faithfully trusted and followed Him in absolute devotion, will enter the eternal bliss of fellowship with God and all the redeemed forever!
Similar Posts:
- Confident Joy In The End / December 19, 2010 / Frank Walton
- What Paul Saw In The Dark / April 1, 2011 / Frank Walton
- Christ Is the Answer / February 28, 2009 / Todd Stickler
