What is the Judgment Seat of Christ / Bema Seat of Christ?

[Quasar92]

Romans 14:10-12 says, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “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.” In the context, it is clear that both scriptures are referring to Christians, not unbelievers. The judgment seat of Christ, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ.

The judgment seat of Christ does not determine salvation; that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2) and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All of our sins are forgiven, and we will never be condemned for them (Romans 8:1). We should not look at the judgment seat of Christ as God judging our sins, but rather as God rewarding us for our lives. Yes, as the Bible says, we will have to give an account of ourselves. Part of this is surely answering for the sins we committed. However, that is not going to be the primary focus of the judgment seat of Christ.

At the judgment seat of Christ, believers are rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). Some of the things we might be judged on are how well we obeyed the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), how victorious we were over sin (Romans 6:1-4), and how well we controlled our tongues (James 3:1-9). The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). The various crowns are described in 2 Timothy 2:5, 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, and Revelation 2:10. James 1:12 is a good summary of how we should think about the judgment seat of Christ: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Recommended Resources: Your Eternal Reward: Triumph & Tears at the Judgment Seat of Christ by Erwin Lutzer and Logos Bible Software.


Source: http://deeperwalk.lefora.com/topic/19401853/What-is-the-Judgment-Seat-of-Christ-Bema-Seat-of-Christ#.WUs7gOSWxpw



Quasar92

 

[Kenny'sID]

Romans 14:10-12 says, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “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.” In the context, it is clear that both scriptures are referring to Christians, not unbelievers. The judgment seat of Christ, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ.

Makes no sense to me that would be believers. Why is anything due us for the "bad" things if we were forgiven?

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

If those sins are forgotten, again, how can we be due anything for them...they no longer exist to God.

 

[Quasar92]

Makes no sense to me that would be believers. Why is anything due us for the "bad" things if we were forgiven?

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

If those sins are forgotten, again, how can we be due anything for them...they no longer exist to God.

1 Jn.1:8 "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.


Quasar92

 

[Kenny'sID]

1 Jn.1:8 "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.


Quasar92

Of course I have sin, why not address my point? The very next line of your scripture substantiates what I just said. Or are you saying God has not forgiven my sin?

Honestly, I worry about some of you.

 

[Quasar92]

Of course I have sin, why not address my point? The very next line of your scripture substantiates what I just said. Or are you saying God has not forgiven my sin?

Honestly, I worry about some of you.

Of course I have sin, why not address my point? The very next line of your scripture substantiates what I just said. Or are you saying God has not forgiven my sin?

Honestly, I worry about some of you.

Your point has been answered. Supposing you face the facts that if we continue sinning there will be judgment for it as recorded in 1 Cor.3:10-15.

10 "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their 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 person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames."


Quasar92

 

[Kenny'sID]

I have no trouble facing facts, if indeed they are facts. I thought we might both learn something between ourselves and input from others on just what your original scripture means, but If you aren't going to hear what I'm saying, suit yourself.

We all have sinned but if we make it to heaven, it means we took care of business, asked for forgiveness, making those sins no more. I don't know what the scripture means either but I do feel my point is a good one.

I'll keep an eye on the thread.

 

[ViaCrucis]

That we are justified freely by grace and that our sins are forgiven doesn't change the fact that we will have to face the reality of what we did. In Matthew 25 both groups of people presented before Christ in Judgment are apparently believers, and it is also believers who will on that Day be saying "Lord, Lord, did we not..."

How we live our lives, how we treat our neighbor, matters. And on Judgment Day we will have to give account, and face the naked and bare truth of ourselves; what we did, our works, won't save us on that Day, but we will have to face it.

The person who thinks that grace is a magic ticket, does not understand grace. The person who thinks, "I can do whatever I want, since I have faith" does not have faith. It is the faithless person who assumes they have their magic ticket to paradise, they do not put their faith in Christ but instead put their faith in themselves.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Kenny'sID]

The person who thinks that grace is a magic ticket, does not understand grace.

This has nothing to so with that, that BTW is my least favorite of all bad doctrine. It simply has to do with sin, either it is forgiven or not. If it is forgiven, it is remembered no more (biblical), if it is remembered no more, what is going on with that scripture?

You make the following comment but don't explain the discrepancy. To say something "is" a fact is something we can do all day long, but to explain why/how is a different story, a story I'm wanting to hear.

That we are justified freely by grace and that our sins are forgiven doesn't change the fact that we will have to face the reality of what we did.

 

[ViaCrucis]

This has nothing to so with that, that BTW is my least favorite of all bad doctrine. It simply has to do with sin, either it is forgiven or not. If it is forgiven, it is remembered no more (biblical), if it is remembered no more, what is going on with that scripture?

You make the following comment but don't explain the discrepancy. To say something "is" a fact is something we can do all day long, but to explain why/how is a different story, a story I'm wanting to hear.

Scripture says that we will face Judgment, and when Judgment is described it is described in Matthew ch. 7 and ch. 25. There are those Jesus says to, "I was hungry and you fed Me" and they unaware of when they did this get the response, "Whatever you did to the least of these you did it unto Me"; and there are those Jesus says to, "I was hungry and you did not feed Me" and they unware of when they didn't get the response, "Whatever you did not do to the least of these you did not do it unto Me".

Being forgiven of our sins doesn't change the fact that there are hungry, hurting people in the world, and that they matter. And when we stand before our Lord we're going to have to face that. "But my sins were cast as far away from me as east is from the west" means a lot in terms of your relationship to God, but it doesn't change the fact that your neighbor's belly is empty.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Kenny'sID]

Scripture says that we will face Judgment, and when Judgment is described it is described in Matthew ch. 7 and ch. 25. There are those Jesus says to, "I was hungry and you fed Me" and they unaware of when they did this get the response, "Whatever you did to the least of these you did it unto Me"; and there are those Jesus says to, "I was hungry and you did not feed Me" and they unware of when they didn't get the response, "Whatever you did not do to the least of these you did not do it unto Me".

Being forgiven of our sins doesn't change the fact that there are hungry, hurting people in the world, and that they matter. And when we stand before our Lord we're going to have to face that. "But my sins were cast as far away from me as east is from the west" means a lot in terms of your relationship to God, but it doesn't change the fact that your neighbor's belly is empty.

The op is talking about saved people, while the Sheep and the Goats scripture are referring some that did and some that didn't make it at all. the latter were cast into outer darkness...Hell. All because they said Lord Lord, but didn't walk the walk. The good went to paradise, no mention of any price for them to pay. And I'm not saying just because it wasn't mentioned, there can't be a price, just that the scripture you are using, doesn't seem to fit with the subject.

 

[Quasar92]

I have no trouble facing facts, if indeed they are facts. I thought we might both learn something between ourselves and input from others on just what your original scripture means, but If you aren't going to hear what I'm saying, suit yourself.

We all have sinned but if we make it to heaven, it means we took care of business, asked for forgiveness, making those sins no more. I don't know what the scripture means either but I do feel my point is a good one.

I'll keep an eye on the thread.

We have freedom of speech here. Say all you like. I've provided my views, after listening and reading those of others over the past 80 years. As such I have no desire to either discuss it any further, nor will I be changing the views I already have.


Quasar92

 

[Kenny'sID]

As such I have no desire to either discuss it any further, nor will I be changing the views I already have.

Nor do I have a desire to stop questioning any view that makes no sense to me

 

[Quasar92]

Nor do I have a desire to stop questioning any view that makes no sense to me

As I said previously, say anything you want. Ask all the questions you please. However, it doesn't mean you'll get answers to any of them.


Quasar92

 

[Kenny'sID]

Ask all the questions you please. However, it doesn't mean you'll get answers to any of them.

No answers expected from you, so not to worry.

 

[DennisTate]

About half way down this page there is what I consider a brilliant explanation of the Judgment Seat of Christ.....The Final Quest [English] Rick Joyner

 

[Ronit]

Romans 14:10-12 says, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “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.” In the context, it is clear that both scriptures are referring to Christians, not unbelievers. The judgment seat of Christ, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ.

The judgment seat of Christ does not determine salvation; that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2) and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All of our sins are forgiven, and we will never be condemned for them (Romans 8:1). We should not look at the judgment seat of Christ as God judging our sins, but rather as God rewarding us for our lives. Yes, as the Bible says, we will have to give an account of ourselves. Part of this is surely answering for the sins we committed. However, that is not going to be the primary focus of the judgment seat of Christ.

At the judgment seat of Christ, believers are rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). Some of the things we might be judged on are how well we obeyed the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), how victorious we were over sin (Romans 6:1-4), and how well we controlled our tongues (James 3:1-9). The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). The various crowns are described in 2 Timothy 2:5, 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, and Revelation 2:10. James 1:12 is a good summary of how we should think about the judgment seat of Christ: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Recommended Resources: Your Eternal Reward: Triumph & Tears at the Judgment Seat of Christ by Erwin Lutzer and Logos Bible Software.


Source: http://deeperwalk.lefora.com/topic/19401853/What-is-the-Judgment-Seat-of-Christ-Bema-Seat-of-Christ#.WUs7gOSWxpw



Quasar92

Thank You