The Judgment Seat Of Christ

Eternal Life is a gift that we receive when we believe in Jesus (John 4:10; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9), but eternal reward is not a gift, it's what we earn and receive at the Judgment Seat Of Christ. It's all according to our obedience to Christ in this life.

A few sobering thoughts about the Judgment Seat Of Christ:

This is the believer's most important day of his life, but he rarely thinks of it.

Believers who live in light of That Day will live holy, effective lives before the Lord.

The Judgment on That Day will determine the believer's position for all eternity.

There is no mercy on That Day - just pure judgment (the mercy is abundantly available today...now, not then; if you need mercy, don't wait for That Day to recceive it - receive it TODAY - it will be too late on That Day. Second chances are available today but there will be no more second chances on That Day). If you have had mercy and compassion in this life, you store that up for that Day, but there will not be any new mercies from Jesus on That Day (1 Timothy 1:16-18).

There is no going back and trying again. This is a final judgment for the believer.

There's no more opportunity for the growth that is afforded us in this life. The opportunities for growth and the rewards that follow will never be in our reach again. That's because rewards are attained, character is attained in times of adversity. This life has adversity that we must overcome: the flesh, the world and the devil. When we are glorified, in the Millennial kingdom and throughout eternity, we will not face these adversities - the flesh will be glorified, the world will be a happy place and the devil will be bound for a thousand years and then cast into hell forever. So where's the adversity? Where's the opportunity for character development like we have in this life? The opportunities will not be found in the Millennial reign, nor will they be found for all eternity. This life really counts.

What we do is not "already set in the mold" - but is being determined by our choices, so we need to learn how to fear the Lord and live in light of That Day.

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, but He won't do it for you, He'll do it through you, but not without your cooperation.

Rom 14:10-11

You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

2 Cor 5:7-117

We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For 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.

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.