Life Ministries

The Judgment

    Immediately after the rapture of the church, every believer will stand before Christ to be judged by him. (2^nd Corinthians 5:10) This is not a blanket judgment of Christians, but an individual one. This is not a judgment of sin or salvation, that took place at the Cross, besides, we are already there!  It is however, a judgment of works: “that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Now, to further understand this, one must look to 1^st Corinthians 3:10-15 - Verse 12 says - “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones (good)… wood, hay, or straw (bad)… his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work”. This is known as “The Judgment Seat of Christ”. It is a judgment of works and rewards.  It is the time we receive our crowns and our jewels for those things which are judged to be works of “gold, silver, and precious stones.”

    This is the motivation for our service to the Lord. The good that we do will earn eternal rewards. Salvation is God’s free gift to all who trust the Savior, but heaven will not be a society where all are treated alike. As in the Parable of the Talents or “mina’s” in Luke chapter 19…Some of the servants used what He gave them and were productive Christians. Others were somewhat productive. One was totally unproductive. The one who was most productive received more authority (rewards) in heaven. Others were rewarded less, and some will receive no reward at all. Yet, all will be redeemed because of their common faith in Jesus Christ. Again in 1^st Corinthians 3 - Paul says some of those redeemed will learn that they have wasted their lives doing works having no eternal value. Their effort was “wood, hay, and straw” fit only to be burned in the fire. They had faith, but lived only for self. If all we have to show at the end of our lives is the “praise of men”, fine homes, high priced cars, and all the other worldly signs of success, it will all go up in smoke! It has no eternal value.
    The greatest reward will be the approval of Christ himself. To hear the words “Well done thou good and faithful servant” will be priceless! A second part of that great reward will be all the “Thank You’s.”  The presence of people we have had a part in helping spiritually. Some of which we won’t even know. How do you think it will feel to have someone say “If it weren’t for you, or what you did, or what you gave, I would not be here!” When you encourage someone, when you pray for another’s salvation and spiritual growth, when you feed the hungry or clothe the naked, when you practice forgiveness, when you help someone through a hard time physically or financially, when you do these things motivated by love, then great is your reward! If you are not at this Judgment Seat of Christ, you will be at the Great White Throne Judgment…. For we shall all appear at one or the other. R. U. building haystacks or treasure in heaven?