THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

Moses had to hide in the cleft of a rock when the great “I Am” revealed His glorious presence to this great prophet of God. What he encountered would forever embed the fear of God in this humble servant, for Moses recorded it as follows, ‘Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquities of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations,”’ (Ex 34 6-7). [Emphasis added by the author.] Moses clearly understood that “I Am” was extending the opportunity to encounter His gracious compassion in forgiving humanity’s sins because He abounds in covenant love and righteousness; YET, He would by no means compromise in His judgments. [See also Romans 2:4-11.]

In some way, by extending the gospel of forgiveness to humanity through the death of the Father’s only Begotten Son (John 3:16), this latter generation has stretched this unfathomable gift of God into “hyper grace,” furnishing a message which softened the fear of the LORD. In many ways, the Ancient of Days, the great “I Am” has been familiarized. Indeed, what a great gift of love! The only true God, the One who lives in “unapproachable light” (1 Tim 6:15-16), extends such a great salvation to man! Yet, we should be careful to maintain, to the core of our worship, that we are dealing with a righteous and holy Judge, for if we compromise on “the fear of the LORD,” we will soon compromise on holy living.

The Hebrew author included the promise of our future resurrection and God’s eternal judgment in his list when he laid down the foundation of our faith. This clearly stipulates that we should never lose sight of Almighty God’s DAY OF JUDGMENT, (Heb 6:1-2). In fact, in view of this very day, every Believer who aspires to live godly will experience the discipline of the Father through trials, tests, and tribulation (persecution), to complete His judgment in our lives in preparation of this final Day of Judgement, (2 Tim 3:12). Listen to the apostle Paul regarding this principle, ‘therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering,’ (2 Thes 1:4-5). [See also 1 Peter 4:12-19.]

Thus, every Believer who is committed to godly living WILL suffer judgment through trials and persecutions in order to purify his faith in preparation of this coming judgment, and thus to attain to the full measure of holiness  – ‘the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ,’ (Col 1:28). This “righteous judgment,” commencing with the Household of God, should not be mistaken for eternal condemnation, for ‘there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,’ (Rom 8:1). Condemnation involves a sentence, while judgment tests the quality and endurance of our faith. We should thus not lose sight of the warning that the quality of our faith will be tested (judged) by fire, (1 Cor 3:10-15). Eternal condemnation, which will amount to eternal confinement in Hell (Rev 20:11-15), and the continual judgment of our faith are two separate court procedures.

Scripture is clear, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he had done, whether good or bad,” (2 Cor 5:10). [See also Mat 16:27; Rom 2:4-11; Rom 2:16; Rom 14:10-12; Eph 6:7-8; Col 3:23-25.]

This knowledge should inspire us to live holy and godly lives as we continue our walk of sanctification, for we are rooted in Christ, yet we are now also being built up in Him, (Col 2:6-7). The notion that we can continue our lives however we choose after we received the forgiveness of sins through our initial repentance, is a lie from the enemy! Every Believer shall give an account for his walk of obedience in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:23-26), and each shall receive his reward according to how he built upon Christ, THE FOUNDATION, (1 Cor 3:10-15). We should thus take heed of this warning, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life,” (Gal 6:7-8).

As we see the Day of the Lord (Judgment Day) approaching, let us run with endurance the race set before us (Heb 12:1-3), “holding fast what we have, in order that no one take our crowns!” (Rev 3:11).