Glory Bound

Judgment Seat of Christ

The word judgment may invoke images of a courtroom, of judges passing down judgment and criminals being walked away in cuffs. Or maybe it is an image of injustice and fear. Whatever comes to mind when you hear the word judgment, I want to share another image.

 An image that will inspire hope and joy in the hearts of those who know Jesus. This is the image of Jesus in a magnificent throne room. He is seated in the place of honor, and He is looking at you. Instead of looking at you with judgment in His eyes, He is looking at you with love. He is about to judge your life, but it is a judgment of blessing instead of the condemnation we deserve.

This is what the judgment of Christ mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:10. “After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies.”

The Greek word used for judge in 2 Corinthians is a word that describes a place for the assessment of reward. It was a word well-known in Roman culture. It spoke of a place where judges of the games in Athens (think Olympic judges) sat. They were the ones who judged the performance of the athletes and handed out their rewards (Lexham Bible Dictionary).

This word is different than the word used in the scriptures referring to the great white throne mentioned in Matthew, or the judgment of the nations mentioned in Revelation (Lexham Bible dictionary). Paul is addressing the believers of Corinth. He is trying to motivate them to live a life that pleases God. And this verse is a major motivator.

If we have faith in Jesus Christ then we have been justified, made right, and have eternal life (John 3:15, 10:26-27, 12:44-45) As believers God has already judged us righteous (John 5:24). If our sins are already judged, then all that is left is for our lives to be assessed and rewards given. When we obey God, He sees and stores our reward up in Heaven.

Jesus tells us “Where your treasure is there your heart will be too” (Luke 12:34).

If we look forward to the treasure on this earth, then we will continue investing in things on earth to gain more rewards. We as humans are reward-motivated, that is how God made us. It is what reward we chase that is what is important. Are we chasing earthly rewards or are we chasing the rewards that Jesus will be giving at the judgment seat of Christ at the end of time?

Am I Saved?

As you think about Christ’s judgment seat, you might fight with the question am I saved? I know I fought with this question for a long time. I wrestled with it, every time I failed, or when things didn’t work out, but this is what God has to say about sin and salvation. You can think and pray for them when you are unsure of your salvation.

We are all sinners in need of God. “For we have all fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

God makes us right with Himself by our faith in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:22)

If you belong to God you don’t have to fear eternal punishment “If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished.”

There is nothing we can do to earn God’s acceptance. Christ made use acceptable through his sacrifice. “Christ never sinned. But God treated him as a sinner. So, Christ could make us acceptable to God.

When you accept Christ into your life, He renews your heart and mind, beginning the process of transforming you into a reflection of Him. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This doubt of our salvation is a result of the devil’s work in our lives and in the world around us. In Ephesians, we are warned of this. When we start to feel doubt creeping in, we must put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:14)

Fighting our adversary.

When the devil tries to whisper in my ear “You’re not saved” I fight back with the verses above and many more. I remind the devil and myself that I am a child of God. Like Paul writes “You are God’s children. He sent Christ Jesus to make us, wise, acceptable, and holy” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

God tells us that our enemy, the devil, has a plan of his own concerning us. “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is looking to destroy us and keep us from God.

The devil also wants to make you ineffective for the kingdom of God. One of the ways He does this is by making us doubt what God has done for us. It is hard to hear what God wants you to do next when you are too distracted by worrying about your own salvation and spirit.

Growing in confidence and maturity

Knowing you are saved and that the only judgment waiting for you is the one that determines reward should change you. It brought boldness, confidence, and peace to my personal life and I want to see the same for you, dear sisters.

I have found that as I grow in confidence about my own salvation and relationship with God, I can speak with more authority, confidence, and peace to others about their journey, which has been a humbling experience.

This is what Paul was talking about, in Ephesians, when he was talking about putting the armor of God on. We must fight our enemy; he wants to keep us from a thriving faith and from sharing it with others, but the armor of God will protect us and help us fight back.

Paul tells us to have our feet fitted with “the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15). The more I know the gospel and the more I read God’s word and get to know Him the more ready and motivated I am to share with others. That is because of the confident peace that comes from knowing God and His promises, bubbles up from within, and a joy and desire to share with others.

This is precisely what the devil wants to stop. He wants to keep each of us from shining our light; from spreading God’s kingdom over the earth. He wants the world to stay in darkness and despair, separated from God. If the devil can’t take our salvation, he will try and keep you from shining your light for others to see.

Conclusion

One day, in front of Jesus Christ, we will be rewarded for the good that we did while in these bodies. Knowing this can embolden us to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord. Encouraging us to run toward the goal, so we can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done (Philippians 3:14). 

We have glory through Christ Jesus waiting for us on the other side of this life. I don’t know about you, but my heart burns to see as many people in heaven as possible. With equal passion, I want to see other believers living and thriving in a deeply rooted faith that is contagious.

To reach others for Jesus and to have thriving personal faith I’ve learned to “throw off what hinders us” (Hebrews 12:1), like fear of judgment or uncertainty in our relationship with Christ. To throw off hindrances is to arm ourselves with the armor of God so that we might fight off our adversary.

In your personal time with God:

• I encourage you to read Ephesians 6:10-18.

• Ask God to reveal any uncertainties or doubts you have about your relationship with Him.

• Look up in the concordance in the back of your bible (or you can search it in a Bible app like Logos or you version, both work well) verses that help combat your doubt. Ex verses on salvation or forgiveness.

• Comment below what verses have helped you the most when combatting doubt. If you want, you can also always contact me directly at emilyb@moreofjesusplease.com with comments, thoughts, stories, or if you need prayer.

Until next week I am praying that the Lord will give you “complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then you will live lives that are honoring and pleasing to the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better (Colossians 19:10) Amen.