The Judgment Seat of Christ

From: The Christian Shepherd: 2001

• 2 min. read • grade level: 8

For believers, it is not people that are on trial, but their works. It is like the judge at a county fair. He is judging what people have made or done, not the person—even though it is the person who receives the reward. The judgment seat of Christ for the believer will never be a question of being judged for sin. That was all taken care of at the cross (Heb. 10:14¹⁴For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)).

In the New Testament the judgment seat of Christ for believers is taken up in four different ways.

1. “Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him” (2 Cor. 5:9⁹Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (2 Corinthians 5:9)). Here our whole life is brought into review, suggested by verse 10, “The things done in his body.” Everything will be manifested in the light of His presence.

2. In 1 Corinthians 3:8-15⁸Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. ¹⁰According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. ¹¹For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; ¹³Every 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. ¹⁴If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:8‑15), the judgment seat is in connection with our service—“laborers together with God.” We (believers) have the privilege of building on the foundation which has already been laid—the truth of God’s Word. “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”

3. “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 of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Cor. 4:5⁵Therefore 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 of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)). Here it is a question of motive. We sometimes say that we cannot judge motives. But the Lord can and will. He “will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” Our God wants us to not only do the proper thing, but to do it with the right motive as well.

4. In Romans 14:7-12⁷For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. ⁸For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. ⁹For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. ¹⁰But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ¹¹For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. ¹²So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:7‑12) we have the spirit in which we do things taken up. Our actions affect others, and God wants us not only to do the right thing with the right motive, but He also wants it done in the right spirit, or with the right attitude. (See Psalm 32:2²Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:2) and Caleb in Numbers 14:24²⁴But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (Numbers 14:24).)

Of course, we will all cast our crowns (rewards) back at His blessed feet—He who alone is worthy (Rev. 4)—realizing the full import of that verse, “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13¹³For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)).

J. Hyland

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