The Bema Seat Judgment
The so-called bema seat judgment gets its name from the Greek language in 2 Cor. 5:10 where it’s translated into English as the judgment seat of Christ. In 1 Cor. 3:12-15 this judgment is described, clearly stating that doesn’t have anything to do with our salvation but involves good things we do after we’re saved. In 1 Cor. 4:5 we’re told that the basis for this judgment will be the motive of our heart when we do these things and the reward will be praise from God. -- Jack Kelly
The Lord's salvation and The Bema Seat
When Jesus went to the cross He took your sins with Him and paid the full price for all of them with His death (Col.2:13-14). When you became a believer, that payment was applied to all your sins and you became a new creation. The old you was gone (2 Cor. 5:17) and the slate was wiped clean. Whether past, present or future all the sins of your life are forgiven and forgotten, and there would be no point in ever bringing them up again.
At the Bema Seat judgment, our so called good works will be reviewed. Those things that were done purely out of gratitude for the free gift of salvation and where the Lord got all the glory will be rewarded. Things that were done in our own strength, and where we got the credit, will be burned up. The benefits to others resulting from our good works will not be taken into account in making this judgment, only the motive of our heart (1 Cor. 3:10-15, 4:5).
Because we often can’t discern our own motives, the Lord’s decisions will surely surprise us. But there’s no reason to fear the outcome. -- Jack Kelly
What Happens At The Bema Seat Judgment?
2 Cor. 5:10 says we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. This can not be a reference to sin because Jesus has already been judged for all the sins of our life and all of them have been forgiven (Colossians 2:13-15).
Earlier Paul had said in effect that the definitions of good and bad have to do with our “good works” and are based on our motive, not on the outcome. Things done in the Lord’s name with the intent of expressing our gratitude to Him are like gold, silver and precious gems and considered to be good. Things done in our own name with the intent of glorifying ourselves are like wood, hay and stubble and are bad. The good things will be rewarded and the bad things will be discarded, being of no value in the Kingdom (1 Cor. 3:11-15).
Then Paul said we shouldn’t judge anything before hand, because it’s impossible for us to discern a person’s motive. The Lord will bring all this to light and then we’ll each receive the praise that’s legitimately due to us. (1 Cor. 4:5) So this judgment is not about salvation or discipline, it’s about rewards. Therefore we have nothing to fear. Jack Kelly
Will The The Bema Judgment Be Painful?
Q. The Rapture is near and I think a lot of my future life in Heaven. I agree with you that the only fireproof values of my life -which will not burn up at the Bema Seat Judgment – are those done in the Lord’s strength. I don’t think I’ve lived very much of my Christian life in His strength. I expect almost everything to go up in the smoke at the Bema Seat Judgment. Are the Bema Seat Judgments painful, its great shame unavoidable, and is it better if I brace myself for it?
A. The Bema Seat judgment takes place shortly after the rapture, which will absolutely be the happiest event in your life. Does it make sense that having given His life to make you perfect in His sight, and having finally rescued you from this world, the first thing the Lord will do is to subject you to shame and embarrassment? I don’t think so. I think the Bema Seat judgment will be more like the awards ceremonies you see on TV, where everyone’s happy to be there whether they win anything or not.--Jack Kelly Greacethrufaith.com
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