14:10-12 What is the Judgement Seat of Christ?

(CP also 2Cor 5:10). The judgement seat of Christ is not to be confused with the great white throne judgement (CP Rev 20:11-15). The great white throne judgement is for all those going to hell. The judgement seat of Christ is for all those who go to heaven. It is a judgement, not to determine our eternal destination, but our position in heaven.

The judgement seat of Christ is where Christ will judge every one of our earthly works, and how those works stand or fall will determine our place in the future eternal kingdom (CP 1Cor 3:11-15). Every one of the earthly works we build upon the foundation of Christ will be evaluated, but only the works symbolized by gold, silver, and precious stones will be able to withstand the heat of the refining fire. All lesser works represented by wood, hay, and stubble will burn up.

Christians will not lose their salvation when this happens, but there will be a loss of heavenly rewards (CP Rev 22:7, 11-12). V7 and 12 here refer to believers and the first resurrection - when Jesus comes to take all the saints of God back to heaven with Him at the end of the church age - and highlights the impending doom that awaits the unbelievers and reprobates of V11 (CP 1Th 4:13-18 with 2Th 2:10-12).

Although the judgement seat of Christ does not involve punishment, it should not be regarded lightly or carelessly (CP Php 2:12; 1Pe 1:17).

God is no respecter of persons - no one will be favoured above another - every Christian's earthly works will be examined and openly revealed in their true reality at the judgement seat of Christ. Works not only refers to stewardship of the gifts, talents, opportunities and responsibilities granted to us during the course of our Christian life, but to our conduct toward others, and our love for one another (CP Lu 14:12-14; Ro 12:9-21; Eph 6:5-9; Col 3:16-4:1; He 6:10-12; 1Jn 4:17).

Everything we have ever done as Christians, whether good or bad, will be revealed at the judgement seat of Christ - our every thought, our every word, our every deed, our secret acts, our character, our motives, our attitudes, our work, and our ministry (CP Ecc 12:14; Mt 12:36-37: Mk 4:22; Ro 2:5-11: 1Cor 4:5; 2Cor 5:10; Jas 1:2-4, 12; 1Pe 3:7).

In effect Christians will have to give an account of the degree of their faithfulness to God according to the grace, opportunity, and understanding made available to them (CP Mt 25:14-23; Lu 19:12-19; 1Cor 4:2-5). Our bad deeds, when repented of and confessed during our earthly life, are forgiven in relation to eternal punishment, but they will still be taken into account when being judged for recompense by Christ (CP 1Jn1:9 with Col 3:25).

We cannot do anything about past offences, but we can make every endeavour not to repeat them in the future (CP 2Cor 5:9; 1Jn 2:28; 3:2-3; 2Jn 8).

See also comments on 1Cor 3:12-15, 4:2-5 and 2Ti 1:12 and author's study Coming Judgements of God in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1).

"Romans"