The Judgment Seat of Christ

“Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord -- for we walk by faith, not by sight -- we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

For the New Testament believer, there are three judgements which must be faced - not one.

- There is a past judgement - the judgement of our sin on Calvary. This is a judgement against original sin which was handed down from Adam and against all subsequent acts of disobedience. This judgement results in atonement and spiritual birth.

- There is a present judgement of our sin, and this can best be identified as the chastening hand of the Lord which we experience when we walk in disobedience. This also includes the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the work or convicting us of sin or warning us of the danger of turning to error. Whenever you sense the convicting prod of the Holy Spirit, it is a confirmation that you are a true child of God and that His intent is to keep you from greater judgement later on.

- There is a future judgement, known as the judgment seat of Christ where all believers - all those who are born again by faith in the atoning death of Christ - will give an account for all they have done.

For the surrendered, obedient, faithful believer - these three judgements pose no threat but are joyfully embraced, for they yield life, direction, and approval. Those who worry that others may ‘get by’ with sin forget that the Judge knows the whole story.