[Writer’s note: Discussing ‘judgment’ is a bit presumptuous since countless books have been written. This is only a beginning discussion, an introduction. For many believers, it’s one study they really don’t want to begin. But there is wonderful news. Yes we all face Judgment, and No it won’t be devastating… except when we realize the time we have wasted.
I can’t take credit for this… I was listening to Pastor Robert Morris and one part of his teaching on Eternity dealt with the Great White Throne Judgment and The Judgment Seat of Christ. There is so much confusion about the ‘final judgment’ and how this relates to the believer. Hopefully I won’t add to the confusion but provide a path to understanding.]
As context to my understanding and interpretation on Pastor Morris’ teaching are the following scriptures he used. I am using the Amplified Bible as my source: 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, 1 John 2:28, 1 Corinthians 3: 14-15, Matthew 6:1-4, and Revelation 20: 11-13. To begin your understanding, read these scriptures and know what you understand about judgment…and how it affects you. The admonition for believers is Romans 14 and I would add – never compare.
“But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].”
(Romans 14:10, AMP)
This post is directed to the believer. It’s not pie in the sky nor rose colored glasses, it’s meant to be a cogent and logical argument based in God’s word to us. However, if you haven’t accepted Jesus as Lord, this is the place to start – the ONLY beginning. This post IS Good News for the believer, but it can’t be taken as license. We are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2;12) so once saved, we do have our responsibilities. Obviously, we are far from perfect so we need a scriptural support from which to act and speak into our world and for me, recognizing that I don’t always do what I should, these are critical:
“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].” (1 John 1:9, AMP)
“He has not dealt with us according to our sins [as we deserve], Nor rewarded us [with punishment] according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him [with awe -filled respect and deepest reverence]. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father loves his children, So the Lord loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence] ” (Psalms 103:10-13, AMP)
If, when we do what we don’t want to and don’t do what we know we should, we do have a way to restoration. We need to recognize that in repentance, BUT we are taking a vow not to repeat the behavior. When you consider ‘judgment’, Pastor Morris pointed out that there is belief and there is behavior. Belief is where we determine where our eternity will be spent (heaven or hell). Behavior is what we do with our belief, what and how our actions speak here and now.
“For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].” (2 Corinthians 5:10, AMP)
Repaid is not punishment. If we’ve done nothing beyond accepting salvation, then that is our repayment – entry into heaven. I do find it difficult to imagine anyone who has accepted Jesus’ Lordship to do nothing with it….However, all believers have the same destination based on our beliefs, just like all non believers have their destination. But… not all of us receive the same rewards, because this is based on what we, each/individually, have done with our time, gifts, etc.
If it appears that I am interchangeably using The Judgment Seat of Christ and The Great Throne Judgment [ – they are different. One of the best and succinct comparison’s I’ve seen is from Turning Point Ministries (Dr. David Jeremiah) The Judgment Seat of Christ [Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 2 Corinthians 5: 8-10] and The Great Throne Judgment [Revelation 20: 11-15, Hebrews 9:27]
“Now, little children (believers, dear ones), remain in Him [with unwavering faith], so that when He appears [at His return], we may have [perfect] confidence and not be ashamed and shrink away from Him at His coming.” (1 John 2:28, AMP)
“If any person’s work which he has built [on this foundation, that is, any outcome of his effort] remains [and survives this test], he will receive a reward. But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3: 14-15, AMP)
Do you understand how all these scriptures both tell us what is going to happen and what we can do now… and how?
“Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.”
(Matthew 6:1-4, AMP)
As believers, we are supposed to be living the abundant life, but this is impossible if we are in fear of what will happen in the next life. We may not have a cake walk, but we have equipping, enabling, gifting, armor, etc. here and promise for there. As believers, we should be sharing through our behavior who we are and prompt a response in the viewer’s eyes to questions. We should always be prepared to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15) so that we can introduce the viewer to the Lord by our words and actions. We should be intent on helping others to avoid the judgment of hell.
“And I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them [for this heaven and earth are passing away]. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged according to what they had done as written in the books [that is, everything done while on earth]. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and Hades (the realm of the dead) surrendered the dead who were in them; and they were judged and sentenced, every one according to their deeds.” (Revelation 20: 11-13, AMP)
I have provided a great deal of scripture to underscore what I believe about judgment and what we will face. Without scripture as source and foundation all you have is opinion and judgment is too serious a discussion to be based on opinion.
