The Judgement seat of Christ

THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
MEMORY VERSE : For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that ever one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Cor. 5:10.
BIBLE PASSAGE: 11 Corinthians 5:1-15.
INTRODUCATION: Just as there is more than one resurrection, so also is there more than one judgement. Because Adam sinned, all may die. Because Christ rose, all must rise to be judged. And God has appointed His Son Jesus Christ to the Judge of all the earth (11 Cor. 5:10).
1HOW MANY JUDGEMENTS ARE THERE?
The Bible speaks of at least seven different judgments, namely:
(a) The Saviour on the Cross being judged for our sins
(b) The believers self-judgement (1 Cor. 11:31).
(c) The judgement of the believers at the judgement seat, which is what we shall discuss in this lesson.
(d) The judgement of the nations when sheep will be separated from goats (Matt. 25:22).
(e) The judgement of Israel after the tribulation (Ezek. 20:30-44).
(f) The judgement of angels which are reserved in darkness, waiting, (Jude 6).
(g) The judgement of the wicked dead or the great white Throne Judgement, (Rev.20:12).
WHERE IS THE JUDGEMENT SEAT?
It is generally believed that the judgement of the righteous will take place in the air. Therefore the judgement seat of Christ is likely to be in the air. This fact is probably drawn from 1 Thess. 4:13-17. the time is at the second coming of Christ, at the resurrection of life (Matt. 16:27). Only believers will be judged at this judgement.
WHAT IS TO BE JUDGED AT THE JUDGEMENT SEAT?
The judgement is not a trial to decide the fate of either the saved or unsaved. Salvation is not the issue here since that is already settled during life time (Jn.3:16-18). The following things will be judged.
(a) Our works will be judged (1 Cor. 3:13).
(b) Our words will be judged (Matt. 12:36-37).
(c) Our thoughts will be judged (Matt. 15:19-20).
(d) Our secrets will be judged (Rom. 2:16)
(e) Our motives, correct (11 Cor. 5:14). Or incorrect (1 Cor. 3:21), Shall be judged.
HOW WILL GOD JUDGE AT THE JUDGEMENT SEAT?
The test will be by fire (1 Cor. 3:13). It will be a fair, impartial public display of justice. No one will be able to say that God showed favoritism since everyone will be able to see the result of other people’s test (Gal. 6:7-8).
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF THE JUDGEMENT?
For the works that remain, there will be rewards. For that which is burned, the individual will suffer loss (1 Cor. 3:15). We see here that some building materials are fireproof while others are combustible. What works are represented by fire proof materials? Some of them are:
(a) Righteousness.
(b) Honesty, not only before men but before God;
(c) A life of faith, faith in God, Christ, the Bible;
(d) Love, true love, 1 Cor. 13 type of love;
(e) Patience;
(f) Meekness,
(g) Humility
(h) Peace (11 Pet. 1:6).
On the other hand, works represented by combustible materials are:
(i) all forms of sin and wickedness;
(ii) cheating,
(iii) bribery and corruption
(iv) all forms of dishonesty,
(v) yielding to youthful lust;
(vi) good things done with wrong motives;
(vii) Pride, which goes before a fall? (1 Tim. 6:9-11)
CONCLUSION
How can I prepare to meet my Saviour at His judgement seat?
(a) By constant communion with my Lord
(b) By much self-examination particularly as to my motives for doing whatever I am doing for the Lord.
(c) By much prayer and meditation on the Word of God.
(d) By constant attention to the will of the Holy Spirit.
(e) By having a conscience void of offence before God and men (Acts 24:16).
If you live a truly Christian life, following in the footsteps of the Saviour, the judgement day should hold no terrors for you, since it ought to be the best day you ever had. It will be our crowning day, if we win a crown! (1 Cor.4:5). Examine your life today and return to the Lord.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the judgement seat?
2. Who and what will be judged there?
3. How can we be prepared for the judgement seat?
4. How God judge and what will be the result of the judgement?
FURTHER READINGS: Exo.12:14, Matt. 5:28, Matt. 5:9, 11 Tim.2:22, 1 Jn. 1:9.

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