Pastor Welton Watson, Central Baptist Church
2 Corinthians 5: 9,10 “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10. 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 hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
In this article, I want to discuss the Judgment Seat of Christ. First, let me say that this particular judgment is the judgment of the saved. It is a judgment of the works of a believer after he has been saved. Sin will not be judged here because Christ was judged for our sins on Calvary’s cross. This is not to determine whether a person will go to heaven or hell; that choice was already made before death. You will only stand at this judgment if you have put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are a born again believer. Verse 10 says, “that everyone may receive the things done in his body,” so, our deeds, or works are on trial here to see if we will receive rewards or suffer loss.” 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, for 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 burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved: yet so as by fire.” I don’t have the space in this article to cover the rewards and loss mentioned in these verses, but simply that we win or lose rewards and position in heaven because of our works, or lack thereof while we are here on this earth. The person who has trusted Christ will never face sin again at any judgment. In Romans 8:1 Paul says it like this: “There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Please understand that what you do in this life, after your salvation, is very important. You will be judged by Jesus Christ for what you have done with your Christian life. A slothful and wicked life down here brings chastening from the Father here, and the loss of rewards in heaven. Some may say “I’m not interested in all that, I just want to live my life the way I want to.” The problem with that is, after death you will be sorry you did not do more for Christ. Serve him while you can because someday you will stand before him and give an account. If you are a Christian and not right with God, you should fear. 2 Corinthians 5:11 “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” Be careful. God loves you as his child, but he is not deaf, dumb and blind. Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the son’s of men is fully set in them to do evil.”