Mission Venture Ministries

The Bible says that believers will have to give an account to the Lord one day. Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us that, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” The judgment seat of Christ, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ. 

The Bible talks about the Judgment Seat of Christ, also referred to as the bema seat in three places: Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; and 2 Corinthians 5:10. Only church-age saints will appear at that judgment, as written in 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” 

This event will take place shortly after the rapture of the Church and the tribunal of Christ will be conducted in the heavenly regions. The apostle Paul declares that the examination of the works of believers will be carried out before the Son of God (2 Corinthians 5:10). And that all judgment is placed in the hands of Jesus and is part of the exaltation of Christ after His victory on Calvary, receiving from the Father all the authority and power to judge. 

The purpose of this judgment is an exhaustive evaluation of our lives. First Corinthians 4:5 says that the Lord will come and “bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” 

The Lord’s return for His believing children and what it means to us individually is a very prominent subject of the New Testament. It is so significant that among the final words of Revelation, the Lord tells us: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). 

Think about this, God might be asking you one day, “What did you do with your money, time, resources, opportunities and the talent that I gave you?” The reason is that all true born again believers have been giving talents and blessings that we should use for the Lord. 

Therefore, at the judgment seat of Christ, believers are rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ. Some of the things we might be judged on are how well we obeyed the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), how victorious we were over sin (Romans 6:1-4), and how well we controlled our tongue (James 3:1-9). 

The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things done based on how faithfully they served Christ. The various crowns are described in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, the incorruptible crown; in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, the crown of rejoicing; in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, the crown of righteousness; in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10, the crown of life; and in 1 Peter 5 2-4, the crown of glory. 

James 1:12 gives us a good summary of how we should think about the judgment seat of Christ: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” 

Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself. 

• If I have time to be on Facebook or to watch TV, then I should make time to share the gospel with lost people.
• If I can read and talk, I can teach the gospel. Since faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Romans 10:17).
• If I say that I love Jesus, I should live as Christ lived, reflecting His love and His grace through my life. Because the Bible says that God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). 

The point is this, the most important and rewarding thing we can do in life is to teach people about Jesus, not only thru Scripture but also through our speech, actions, attitude and good works (Romans 10:17, Matthew 5:16). 

We need to understand that God will give rewards in heaven at the bema seat of Christ, based on our faithfulness in serving Him (2 Corinthians 5:10). The rewards will show the reality that we are no longer a slave, but God’s child (Galatians 4:7) and God will not forget our work and the love we have shown Him (Hebrews 6:10). God will give rewards in heaven in order to fulfill the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7–9) and make good on His promise that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). 

Remember that the greatest consequence of unfaithfulness here on earth is that it disappoints our Lord and Savior who gave His life for us. First John 2:28 says, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” That is a sobering thought because we could be ashamed in the future when we stand before the Lord. At the same time, our diligence and obedience should encourage us with the prospect of receiving His bountiful rewards if we serve Him faithfully during our time here on earth. 

Every day He gives us another opportunity to evaluate our life since our presence before Him is rapidly approaching, and we will soon have to give Him an account of what we did during the time He allotted us here on earth. So, what are you doing to prepare for this day? The day when you will face the King of kings and the Lord of lords whose eyes penetrate like flames of fire (Revelation 2:18), and where there will be nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known (Luke 12:2). 

And lastly, Peter leaves us with a very important reminder: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. (1 Peter 4:17-19) 

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