2 Coríntios 5
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 5
Wiersbe - Paul was not groaning because he was in a human body, but because he longed to see Jesus Christ and receive a glorified body. He was groaning for glory! This explains why death holds no terrors for the Christian. Paul called his death a “departure” (2Ti 4:6-+). One meaning of this Greek word is “to take down one’s tent and move on.” (Bible Exposition Commentary) Murray Harris - Paul's sighing did not stem from a desire to become permanently disembodied but from an intense longing to take up residence in his "heavenly dwelling" ("we sigh, because we long... ," v. 2 Wey.).The passage does not define the precise nature of the "sighing" or "groaning," but the immediate context and Paul's thought elsewhere (Ro 8:19-23; Philippians 3:20, 21) suggest it was his sense of frustration with the limitations and disabilities of mortal existence, knowing as he did that he was destined to possess a spiritual body perfectly adapted to the ecology of heaven. Paul sought liberation only from the imperfection of present embodiment, from "bondage to decay," not from any and every form of corporeality. After all, it is to Paul that Christian theology owes the doctrine of the "spiritual body" (1Cor 15:35-49). But not all at Corinth shared Paul's view of the Christian's destiny. There were some who taught that resurrection lay in the past, accomplished spiritually and corporately for all believers at the resurrection of Christ or else personally experienced at the moment of baptism (cf. 2Tim 2:17, 18). Having in mind these "proto-Gnostics" who denied any future, bodily resurrection but envisaged a disembodied immortality, Paul asserts, "We do not wish to be unclothed but to be overclothed with our heavenly dwelling." (Expositor's Bible Commentary)
2 Coríntios 5
Wiersbe asks "Is the desire for reward a proper motive for service? The fact that God does promise rewards is proof that the motive is not a sinful one, even though it may not be the highest motive. Just as parents are happy when their children achieve recognition, so our Lord is pleased when His people are worthy of recognition and reward. The important thing is not the reward itself, but the joy of pleasing Christ and honoring Him. (Bible Exposition Commentary) (Bolding added)
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Wiersbe writes that "The people of God can be found in one of two places: either in heaven or on earth (Eph. 3:15). None of them is in the grave, in hell, or in any “intermediate place” between earth and heaven. Believers on earth are “at home in the body,” while believers who have died are “absent from the body.” Believers on earth are “absent from the Lord,” while believers in heaven are “present with the Lord.” Because he had this kind of confidence, Paul was not afraid of suffering and trials, or even of dangers. This is not to suggest that he tempted the Lord by taking unnecessary risks, but it does mean that he was willing to “lose his life” for the sake of Christ and the ministry of the Gospel. He walked by faith and not by sight. He looked at the eternal unseen, not the temporal seen (2 Cor. 4:18). Heaven was not simply a destination for Paul: it was a motivation. Like the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, he looked for the heavenly city and governed his life by eternal values. (Bible Exposition Commentary) There are only two "addresses" for every NT believer, on earth and in heaven. Scripture promises that the moment you leave this life you go to heaven. There is no "in between." There is no Purgatory. There is no waiting place. Believers are either in the body and not in the personal presence of the Lord (of course, always under His watchful eye; always in His mighty hand, and always with God's "down payment" of the indwelling Spirit of Christ), or absent from the body and present with the Lord—not yet with the resurrection body, but as far as the conscious part of man, he is “present with the Lord” in conscious communion and fellowship, awaiting the grand resurrection day when we receive our incorruptible bodies (1 Cor 15:51-52+)! Gotquestions - To be “absent” from one’s body simply means to die because, at death, the spirit is separated from the body and moves into its eternal abode—either heaven with the Lord or hell, separated from God for eternity. In the same way, Christians are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the presence of God. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. When a born-again believer dies, his soul goes immediately into the presence of the Lord. There, the soul consciously awaits the resurrection of the body. (What does it mean to be absent from the body?) Related Resources: Murray Harris (author of 2 Corinthians in Expositor's Bible Commentary) - Resurrection and Immortality - 8 Theses What does the Bible say about Purgatory? What is the repose of the soul? What does the Bible say about Limbo? Where did Old Testament believers go when they died? How can I overcome the fear of death? How can I stop being scared of dying? Who are the dead in Christ in 1 Thessalonians 4:16? What is the intermediate state? How can it be said that we have everlasting life when we still die? Vance Havner - And there is but a step between me and heaven. As one grows old and the dearest of earth, the other half of one's life, goes on to the next world, things here lose their charm and we can hardly wait to see what lies beyond. To remain in the flesh is needful as long as God leaves us here, but we desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better—absent from the body—present with the Lord. A strange sense of being in two worlds at once possesses us. If we could break the barrier, we would have done it long before now! But until then we live next door to heaven. Ray Pritchard - A thing is not lost if you know where it is. Several weeks ago John died at the age of 91. When I heard the news, I remembered his prayer. My only response was to say, “Thank God.” And then, “The battle is over, the victory won.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”(Psalm 116:15). So the Bible says and so we believe. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Sometimes when people die, we say, “I lost so-and-so.” But a thing is not lost if you know where it is. Jesus said to the repentant thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). We like to debate the meaning of certain words, and we want to know what “paradise” is like. We could speculate but our guesses would be only that. Just guesses. The most important part of that phrase is in the two little words–"with me.” Today you will be “with me,” Jesus said. Going to heaven is not simply going to a place, like going to Chicago or St. Louis. Going to heaven is going to a person. Heaven is where Jesus is. Everything else is just details. As
2 Coríntios 5
Wiersbe explains Christ's death so that we (believers) might live "is the positive aspect of our identification with Christ: we not only died with Him, but we also were raised with Him that we might “walk in newness of life” (Ro 6:4). Because we have died with Christ, we can overcome sin; and because we live with Christ, we can bear fruit for God’s glory (Ro 7:4). He died that we might live through Him: “God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1Jn 4:9). This is our experience of salvation, eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. But He also died that we might live for Him, and not live unto ourselves (2Co 5:15). This is our experience of service. It has well been said, “Christ died our death for us that we might live His life for Him.” If a lost sinner has been to the cross and been saved, how can he spend the rest of his life in selfishness? (Bible Exposition Commentary) Michael Andrus - The implication is also simple: we should not live for ourselves but for Him....” Those who have died to themselves receive new life in Christ. But that new life is not given to us so we can live self-focused, narcissistic lives, but rather so we can live for Him! Our lives should be devoted to the One who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us and then rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. Friends, any Gospel that isn’t grounded in the Cross and any Gospel that doesn’t result in a transformation of life is not worth the breath it takes to proclaim it. But for Him who died (apothnesko) and rose again (egeiro) on their behalf - Notice Died… died - Paul encloses his charge to live for Christ in the bookends of Christ's willingness to die for us. That being true, why would we not be willing to live for Him rather than ourselves. In short, why would we want to live for self and time alone when we can live for eternity in this short time called life. Rose again is (divine passive) indicating the Source of the raising was God. The resurrection was confirmation of the Father’s acceptance of the Son’s substitutionary death (cf. 1Co 15:1-7+). It is worth noting that all three persons of the Trinity were active in Christ’s resurrection: the Father—Acts 2:24; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, 33, 34, 37; 17:31; the Spirit—Ro 8:11 and the Son—John 2:19, 20, 22; 10. On their behalf (in our place, as our Substitute) is one preposition huper, that is used in a number of passages as a "shorthand" for the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus for believers (e.g., Titus 2:14 = "gave Himself for us", 1 Cor 11:24) Illustration - In 1858, Frances Ridley Havergal visited Dusseldorf, Germany where she saw a copy of Sternburg’s great painting "The Crucifixion" which depicts Christ, wearing His crown of thorns as He stands before Pilate and the mob. A which had a subtitle associated the picture asking… “All this I did for thee; what has thou done for Me?” Inspired by this probing question, she wrote her famous poem, “I Gave My Life for Thee.” As the story goes Frances was not pleased with the poem but a strong downdraft blew the paper out of the fire and onto the hearth. Feeling that this might have been Providential, she took the slightly-scorched paper, folded it, and sent it to her father in England, who composed a tune to match the words and had it published. Years later by Phillip Bliss wrote the more familiar tune of this now great hymn… I Gave My Life for Thee I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed, That thou might’st ransomed be, And quickened from the dead; I gave, I gave My life for thee, What hast thou given for Me? Kenneth Osbeck records a slightly different version of the preceding story (which is the true story is uncertain) -- A vivid painting of Christ, wearing His crown of thorns as He stands before Pilate and the mob, is displayed in the art museum of Dusseldorf, Germany. Under the painting by Sternberg are the words, “This have I done for thee; what hast thou done for Me?” When Frances Havergal viewed the painting during a visit to Germany, she was deeply moved. As she gazed at it in tears, she scribbled down the lines of this hymn text on a scrap of paper. After returning to her home in England, she felt the poetry was so poor that she tossed the lines into a stove. The scorched scrap of paper amazingly floated out of the flames and landed on the floor, where it was found by Frances’ father, Rev. William Havergal, an Anglican minister, a noted poet, and a church musician. He encouraged her to preserve the poem by composing the first melody for it. The present tune was composed for this text by the noted American gospel songwriter, Philip P. Bliss, and was first published in 1873. (Amazing Grace : 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions) (See yet another variation of the story of this hymn) 2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. know: Dt 33:9 1Sa 2:29 Mt 10:37 12:48-50 Mk 3:31-35 Jn 2:4 15:14 Ga 2:5,6 5:6 Php 3:7,8 Col 3:11 1Ti 5:21,22 Jas 2:1-4 3:17 yet: Jn 6:63 2 Corinthians 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FOR IN DEPTH COMMENTS ON THIS VERSE CLICK 2 Corinthians 5:16 Disclaimer: This is a difficult verse and has been subjected to a variety of interpretations which will not be addressed in these notes. Be a Berean even as you read these notes for they are not infallible! One author says that 2Co 5:16 "has prompted numerous scholarly articles, all of them seeking to unpack Paul’s compressed language." Therefore (5620) (hoste) usually means so that, and serves as a marker of result, thus Barclay begins his sentence with the phrase "the result is that." In other words, in view of the death and resurrection of Christ, Paul says "we" (see below) no longer estimate or regard or judge or evaluate anyone by the world's standards, from a purely human point of view, from external standards or based on their outward lives. Stated another way, because of the radical effect that the love of Christ has had on him, Paul has ceased making superficial personal judgments on people based on their external appearance (including ethnicity, sex, social status, etc) From now on - "Since the great event, the Death of Christ." (Alford) "From the time that we gained this view of Christ’s death for us." (A T Robertson) "From the time that the love of Christ has engaged [has pre-occupied] our minds." (Bengel) For Paul the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ has forever obliterated all human distinctions. Now that he sees everyone with "Jesus vision" so to speak, with eyes fixed on eternity, that future time which will separate every soul either into the presence of God or away from His glorious presence (2Th 1:7, 8, 9). We recognize (eido) no one (oudeis - absolutely no one) according to the flesh (sarx); even though we have known (ginosko) Christ (Christos) according to the flesh, yet now we know (ginosko) Him in this way no longer - Murray Harris' paraphrase = "The death and resurrection of Christ have produced two further results. First, for the future, we refuse to estimate anyone by the external standards of the world. Indeed, even if before our conversion we thought of Christ from the standpoint of the world as a mere human being and as a messianic pretender, now we no longer view him that way." Plummer thinks according to the flesh means "According to external distinctions, by what he is in the flesh" To know Christ "according to the flesh" means to know Him only as a human being in history, but not to know him as Savior and Lord. Many people say He was a good man but not God, which is their way of recognizing Him according to the flesh. John
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Wiersbe explains that because of our new birth, our new life in Christ, this "spiritual revolution" brings about a new relationship to other human beings "We no longer look at life the way we used to. To know Christ “after the flesh” means to evaluate Him from a human point of view. But “the days of His flesh” are ended (Heb 5:7+) because He has ascended to heaven and is now glorified at the Father’s right hand. Adam was the head of the old creation, and Christ (the Last Adam, 1Co 15:45) is the Head of the new creation. The old creation was plunged into sin and condemnation because of the disobedience of Adam. The new creation means righteousness and salvation because of the obedience of Jesus Christ. (See Ro 5:12-21-+ for the explanation of the “two Adams.”) Because we are a part of the new creation, everything has become new. For one thing, we have a new view of Christ. It is unfortunate that too great an emphasis is given in music and art on Christ “after the flesh.” The facts about the earthly life of Jesus are important, because the Christian message is grounded in history. But we must interpret the manger by the throne. We do not worship a Babe in a manger; we worship a glorified Saviour on the throne. (Bible Exposition Commentary) 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. is in: 2Co 5:19,21 12:2 Isa 45:17,24,25 Jn 14:20 15:2,5 17:23 Ro 8:1,9 Ro 16:7,11 1Co 1:30 Ga 3:28 5:6 Eph 1:3,4 Php 4:21 he is: Ps 51:10 Eze 11:19 18:31 36:26 Mt 12:33 Jn 3:3,5 Ga 6:15 Eph 2:10 old: 2Co 5:16 Isa 43:18,19 65:17,18 Mt 9:16,17 24:35 Ro 6:4, 5, 6 7:6 8:9 Ro 8:10 1Co 13:11 Eph 2:15 4:22, 23, 24 Php 3:7, 8, 9 Col 3:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Heb 8:9, 10, 11, 12, 13 2Pe 3:10, 11, 12, 13 Rev 21:1, 2, 3, 4, 5 2 Corinthians 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FOR IN DEPTH COMMENTS ON THIS VERSE CLICK 2 Corinthians 5:17 EXTREME MAKEOVER THE JESUS WAY 2 Corinthians 5:17 is a very special verse to me because it serves as a continual reminder of my new life in Christ, a life which is still "new" and amazing, even though my body is beginning to "decay" (cp 2Co 4:16-note). Thirty years ago I choose to quote 2Cor 5:17 as my personal testimony at my baptism (baptizo), for it was a fitting summary of how God had so miraculously delivered me from the darkness and grafted me into Christ (My Testimony). Irving Jensen's comments are convicting - Contrasts abound in 2 Corinthians: glorying and humiliation, life and death, sorrow and consolation, sternness and tenderness. One is very much aware in reading 2 Corinthians that for Paul the Christian life means going all out for Christ, or it is not real life at all. The color gray cannot be detected in this book. (Jensen's Survey of the New Testament. Chicago: Moody Press) (Bolding added) Therefore (hoste) is used to introduce independent clauses and is often translated so, for this reason or therefore expressing consequence or result. Paul's conclusion in 2Co 5:17 is based on the preceding truths in 2Cor 5:14, 15, 16 specifically the truths concerning Christ's Death, Resurrection and Supernatural Life (In essence the truths about the "Gospel" -1Co 15:1+, 1Co 15:2+, 1Co 15:3, 4, 5+). UBS Handbook comments that "The precise function of the word Therefore which begins this verse is not clear. Is Paul drawing out the consequences of what he has said in 2Co 5:16, or does the word Therefore go back to 2Co 5:14 and 2Co 5:15? If, as seems most likely, 2Co 5:16 and 2Co 5:17 are parallel in thought, then both verses draw out the consequences of what Paul has written in 2Co 5:14 and 2Co 5:15. (The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series)
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Wiersbe - Paul was not groaning because he was in a human body, but because he longed to see Jesus Christ and receive a glorified body. He was groaning for glory! This explains why death holds no terrors for the Christian. Paul called his death a “departure” (2Ti 4:6-+). One meaning of this Greek word is “to take down one’s tent and move on.” (Bible Exposition Commentary) Groan (4727)(stenazo from stenós = narrow, contracted as when one is squeezed or pressed by circumstances, the gate leading to eternal life - Mt 7:13, 14) describes an inward, unexpressed feeling of sorrow. To sigh or groan is the sense here. Other contexts convey the meaning of to complain strongly or to grumble (Jas 5:9). The Septuagint of Ex 2:23 uses a derivative verb - "Israelites groaned (katastenazo - also in Ezek 9:4, 21:6) because of the slave labor.") The present tense pictures the believer's groaning as ongoing in this present life. This is our "habitual practice" because we know that these frail, decaying earthly bodies pale in comparison to our inestimably superior future bodies.
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Wiersbe reminds us that "There is an ambition that is selfish and worldly, but there is also a holy ambition that honors the Lord. Paul's great ambition was to be well-pleasing to Jesus Christ. The Judaizers ministered to please men and enlisted them in their cause; but Paul ministered to please Jesus Christ alone (Gal 1:10). A man-pleasing ministry is a carnal, compromising ministry; and God cannot bless it. William Bridge gives us a good reminder of the danger of selfish ambition advising us to "Seek not great things for yourself in this world, for if your garments be long they will make you stumble." The Puritan Thomas Brooks was even more pointed warning that "Ambition (Pride) is a gilded misery, a secret poison, a hidden plague, the engineer of deceit, the mother of hypocrisy, the parent of envy, the original of vices, the moth of holiness and blinder of hearts, turning medicines into maladies and remedies into diseases. High seats are never but uneasy and crowns are always stuffed with thorns. (The Unsearchable Riches of Christ) Whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him - Amplified = "Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him]." In 2Cor 5:8 he Paul had just described being absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. From this immediate context then at home in this verse means with the Lord and absent means away from the Lord in his earthly body. Home or absent contrasts the present life with the eschatological (future) existence with Christ (ultimately in our new bodies). Paul's point is that whether alive on earth or standing before the Lord, he will seek a life of dedication, service and praise to His great God. In short, his life will be an unbroken anthem of purpose and praise from present to future designed to bring pleasure to the heart of His Lord. At home (1736) (endemeo from en = in + demos = people > endemos = “one who is in his own place or land”) literally means to be among one’s people. The verb endemeo then simply means to be present in any state or with any person. In the present context endemeo is an idiom for being alive. Vine notes that endemeo is "used metaphorically of the life on earth of believers, 2Co 5:6, “at home (in the body)”; in 2Co 5:8 of the life in Heaven of the spirits of believers, after their decease, “at home (with the Lord),” rv (kjv, “present”); in 2Co 5:9, “at home” (kjv, “present”) refers again to the life on earth. In each verse the verb is contrasted with ekdemeo, “to be away from home, to be absent”; in 2Co 5:6, “we are absent,” i.e., away from “home” (from the Lord); in 2Cor 5:8, “to be absent” (i.e., away from the “home” of the body); so in 2Cor 5:9, “absent.” The implication in being “at home with the Lord” after death is a testimony against the doctrine of the unconsciousness of the spirit, when freed from the natural body. (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson) Grundman adds that neither ekdemeo and endemeo is "used in the Septuagint (LXX), they occur in the NT in 2Co 5:6, 8, 9. to express the thoughts (1) that bodily existence is absence from the Lord, and (2) that full fellowship with the Lord is possible only apart from this existence. We and the Lord are in separate spheres. Faith overcomes the separation (2Cor 5:7) but is not the final reality. We thus desire ("prefer") to be out of the present sphere and at home with the Lord so as to enjoy the full fellowship of sight. Nevertheless, even in the present sphere the desire to please the Lord gives direction to life (2Co 5:9). (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Paul has just used endemeo in a similar sense in 2Cor 5:6. = Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home (endemeo) in the body we are absent (ekdemeo) from the Lord (+) Endemeo - 3x in 3v - 2 Cor 5:6, 8, 9. Absent (1553) (ekdemeo from ek = from or out of + demos = people, populace, crowd, popular assembly) from ek = from or out of + demos = originally a “divided portion,” the division of a people or territory, the people as inhabitants of a land or city) literally means to be away from people. Ekdemeo originally described movement from a geographic location and was used in Greek with the meaning of to leave one's country or take a long journey. The Jewish historian Josephus writes that "Elisha the prophet, at that time, was gone out of his own country to Damascus". To leave. To be in exile. To be absent from a place where one normally belongs. To emigrate. To travel. Parepidemois meaning a sojourner is a derivative of demos. Absent - In this context means "asleep" (Used as a euphemism for death but only for believers! = Jn 11:11, 1Th 4:13, 1Co 15:51, see verb koimao) or dead. This expression along with at home is used to contrast the present life with the eschatological (future) existence with Christ (ultimately in our new bodies). Paul's point is that whether alive or dead, will be a life of dedication, service and praise to His great God. In short, his life will be an unbroken anthem of purpose and praise from present to future. May God grant us the grace to imitate Paul's example, so that our joy might be full forever in Christ. Amen. Vine writes that ekdemeo "came to mean either (a) “to go abroad, depart”; the apostle Paul uses it to speak of departing from the body as the earthly abode of the spirit, 2Co 5:8; or (b) “to be away”; in the same passage, of being here in the body and absent from the Lord (2Co 5:6), or being absent from the body and present with the Lord (2Cor 5:8). Its other occurrence is in 2Cor 5:9. Ekdemeo - 3x in 3v - 2 Cor 5:6, 8, 9. Moulton and Milligan - Greek secular uses - “but if we change our residence, or go abroad, we shall give notice,” “that no time be lost in his departure” Louw and Nida - ekdemeo ek to somatos = an idiom, literally ‘to leave home from the body’. Pleasing (2101) (euarestos from eu = good, well + arestos = pleasing, desirable, proper, fit, agreeable from aresko = to please or be pleasing/acceptable to) means that which causes someone to be pleased. It is something which is well approved, eminently satisfactory, or extra-ordinarily pleasing. Euarestos - 9x in 9v - Ro 12:1, 2; 14:18; 2 Cor 5:9; Eph 5:10; Phil 4:18; Col 3:20; Titus 2:9; Heb 13:21. NAS = acceptable(3), pleasing(3), well-pleasing(3). John
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Wiersbe writes… Not every believer is ambitious for the Lord (2Cor 5:9+), but every believer is going to appear before the Lord; and now is the time to prepare. The Judgment Seat of Christ is that future event when God's people will stand before the Saviour as their works are judged and rewarded (see Ro 14:8, 9, 10). Paul was ambitious for the Lord because he wanted to meet Him with confidence and not shame (1Jn 2:28). Ray Pritchard explains that… Most Christians don’t know very much about heavenly rewards even though the New Testament has much to say on this subject. If I could summarize the biblical teaching in a few words it would go like this. Salvation is always by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ep 2:8,9+). Heaven is a free gift (Ro 3:24+, Ro 5:15, 16+, Ro 6:23+, Ro 8:32+) that cannot be earned or deserved. But when we get to heaven, we will be judged on the basis of the life we live after coming to Christ. In that day, some people will see all that they have lived for go up in smoke (1Co 3:15 - see Dr. J Vernon McGee's pithy quip). Others will receive great rewards, which are called crowns in the New Testament (Ed note: I think some are called "crowns" but not all rewards will be "crowns" as discussed below). I believe there will be many crowns given, some for faithfulness, others for humble service, still others for those who were martyred for Christ. I’m not sure of all the details about our rewards but this much is clear to me. No one who lives for Christ will ever feel cheated when they finally get to heaven. No one will ever say, “I should have spent more time building an empire on the earth.”… Some years ago I heard Dr. Vernon Grounds say that whenever we are faced with a major decision, we ought to ask ourselves, “What difference will this make in 10,000 years?” Most of the things we worry so much about won’t matter in 3 weeks, let alone 3 months or 3 years. We focus on the trivial and forget to pursue the eternal. But 10,000 times 10,000 years from now, you’ll still be glad you invested your life for Jesus Christ… Several years ago the Mercedes Benz automobile company ran some ads describing a brand-new brake technology they had developed and patented. Although they owned the rights to the technology, they freely shared it with other car companies in the interest of promoting safety. The tag line of the ad contained these sobering words: Some things in life are too important not to share. As Christians, we have been given the best news (The Gospel) in all the world. It’s too important not to share with others. May God help us to invest our lives in the things that will last forever. (Amen) (Heavenly Rewards) Howard Hendricks gives great advice regarding rewards - Only two things this world are eternal—the Word of God and people. It only makes sense to build your life around those things that will last forever. Application: Are you spending serious, focused time in God's Word like Job (Job 23:12+)? Are you looking for opportunities to share the Gospel with those who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins (Gal 6:7+, Gal 6:8+, Gal 6:9, 10+)? Are you encouraging your brethren in Christ day by day as long as it is still called today, so that none are hardened by the the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:13+)? If not, why not? What is more important in time and eternity than redeeming the time now and storing up for yourself treasure in heaven (Eph 5:15, 16+, Mt 6:20, 21+) Jon Courson reminds us that rewards will determine your capacity to enjoy eternity. They will determine what you do in the next zillion years. While I know that just being in heaven will be glory beyond words, I also know that when Paul came back from being caught up into heaven, his purpose in life was to win the prize (Php 3:13+, Php 3:14+). Having seen the reality of heaven, he knew nothing else mattered (2Co 12:2,3,4,5). Jesus said the same thing when He said, “Seek first the kingdom” (Mt 6:33+). “Take my word for it,” Paul would say to you and me today: “Your house, your car, your hobbies, trinkets and toys will all burn. They will not matter ultimately. What does matter is the bema seat, the judgment seat—where you will stand before Jesus and be rewarded.” Here’s the added bonus, folks: If you live for this life, you’ll always be miserable because nothing will ever be quite right. It will always be “one more piece of furniture to buy,” “one more flower to plant,” “one more promotion to get,” “one more person to date”—but it will never be quite enough. If you live for heaven, on the other hand, this world is just a bonus. Therefore, you can relax, knowing you will find joy unspeakable in heaven. (Jon Courson's Application Commentary New Testament) Warren Wiersbe says that "Many believers have such a comfortable situation here on earth that they rarely think about going to heaven and meeting the Lord. They forget that they must one day stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ. It helps to hold us up and build us up when we recall that Jesus is coming again… Is the desire for reward a proper motive for service? The fact that God does promise rewards is proof that the motive is not a sinful one, even though it may not be the highest motive. Just as parents are happy when their children achieve recognition, so our Lord is pleased when His people are worthy of recognition and reward. The important thing is not the reward itself, but the joy of pleasing Christ and honoring Him. (Bible Exposition Commentary) (Bolding added) F B Meyer prays a great "Bema Seat" prayer… Give us grace, O Lord, to work while it is day (imitating our Lord = Jn 9:4), fulfilling diligently and patiently whatever duty Thou appointest us (Ep 2:10+, Titus 2:14+); doing small things in the day of small things (Zech 4:10), and great labours if Thou summon us to any; rising and working, sitting still and suffering, according to Thy Word. AMEN. LORD, GIVE US… A BEMA SEAT MINDSET Beloved let me offer a "Biblical grid" through which you can (should) filter every thought, word and deed in your life for the rest of your life in light of your future personal appointed appearance at the Bema Seat of Christ… Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31+ For (gar) is a term of explanation which explains why Paul was so "ambitious" to please God. He knew that one day he would stand before Jesus Christ as His Judge to be rewarded for his deeds in the body. See also Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:9 to help understand this "for" Paul Barnett summarizes this term of explanation ("for") writing that "This notable verse, while serving as a climax to the sequence of verses begun at 2Co 4:16, beyond that also echoes the "we all" of 2Co 3:18+.[Greek tous… pantas hemas here means "the sum total of us all." Cf. hemeis… pantas 2Co 3:18]. More immediately, however, it is connected with the previous verse, to which it is joined by "for" (gar); it supplies the reason why believers aim "to please the Lord" (2Co 5:9+). This is because "we all" must be revealed before [euprosthen, a synonym for katenanti see 2Co 2:17; 12:19]. the Messiah's tribunal. The second part of the verse (B), introduced by "that,"[hina]. gives the reason for the first part (A). It is that "each" may receive (back) from the Lord whatever is appropriate, according to the good or evil (Ed: worthless, not speaking of sin, which was paid for in full at Calvary = Jn 19:30+) practiced during one's lifetime. (Borrow NICNT- Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians) We (hemas) is the first person plural pronoun indicating that Paul is participating with his readers in the truths he now explains. In short, the truth about rewards to be dispensed at the judgment seat of Christ is only for believers. This is "family truth" as someone might say. All (pas) means all without except. All believers must make an appearance at the Bema Seat of Christ. No believer, not Paul, not Peter, not you, not me, "receives a pass" from this compulsory appearance! Must (1163) (dei [word study] from deo = to bind or tie objects together, put in prison and also root of doulos, bond-servant) refers to that which is not optional but needful (binding) out of intrinsic necessity or inevitability. Dei describes the believer's appearance at the Bema Seat as an event which by necessity must take place, and that this divine "appointment" is inevitable. It is a "Divine necessity" and our appearance is mandatory. Not every believer is ambitious for the Lord as was Paul in 2Cor 5:9, but every believer is going to appear before the Lord and so it follows that now is the time to prepare for that sure and solemn day. Barnett adds that "the word "must" is regularly used for actions decreed by God (cp 1Co 15:25, 53, "A divine decree cannot be evaded" - Plummer), powerfully strengthening the divinely ordained and unavoidable character of the occasion. (Borrow NICNT- Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians) Thus this appearance is not an elective, but is required of every believer. In a sense it will be akin to a "graduation ceremony" which most of us have either participated in or attended. Do you remember the joy and excitement you felt the day they called your name in front of the hundreds or thousands who were in attendance? And if you were diligent in your tenure as a student, you undoubtedly received some additional accolades, as the announcer said "Mr (Miss) John Doe is graduating with honors", etc. The Bema Seat is where believers will be recompensed for their labors in Christ during their short time on earth. As Adam
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Wiersbe commenting on Rev 11:18 writes… “And the time of the dead, that they should be judged” takes us to the very end of God’s prophetic program. In one sense, every day is a “day of the Lord” because God is always judging righteously (Ro 1:18). God is long-suffering toward lost sinners and often postpones judgment, but there will be a final judgment of sinners and none will escape. This judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15. There will also be a judgment of God’s children, known as “the Judgment Seat of Christ” (Ro. 14:10-13+; 1Co 3:8-15+; 2Co 5:9-11). God will reward His faithful servants (Mt 25:21) and the sufferings they experienced on earth will be forgotten in the glory of His presence. Though God’s children will not be judged for their sins (that judgment took place on the cross), they will be judged for their works and rewarded generously by the Master. The Judgment Seat of Christ will take place in heaven after Christ has called His people home. When He returns to earth to establish His kingdom, the saints will be ready to reign with Him, with every blemish of the church removed (Ep 5:25, 26, 27+; Rev 19:7+, Rev 19:8+). Today, we groan as we serve God, because we know only too well our handicaps and blemishes; but one day, we shall serve Him perfectly! (Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament) I should emphasize that not everyone agrees with this interpretation of the timing of the Bema Seat (some even place it at the time of the Great White Throne Judgment), so please be a Berean (Acts 17:11+). Why might someone place it contemporaneous with the Great White Throne? One answer is that if an individual does not accept a literal 1000 years, than they see the two judgments together, whereas premillennialist see them as separated by 1000 years. Irregardless of the specific time of this momentous event, God's sure word of prophecy states that the Bema absolutely will take place! God's children need to live in light of this truth and daily maintain a "Bema Seat Mentality" (see also Vertical Vision), for what you are looking for, will determine what you are living for! And what we are living for today, will determine in some way, how we live throughout eternity. Judgment seat (968) (bema) (see also Judgment by the Saints) originally referred to a raised place mounted by steps, and so a platform that requires steps to ascend. Hence the word bema signifies the official seat where a judge (Mt. 27:19; Jn 19:13; Ac 18:12, etc.) or an official is seated when rendering judgment in certain legal cases or athletic events. Depending on the setting, the bema could be a tribunal from which the judge or magistrate would address an assembly from a chair placed on the structure (the bema). Thus the judge would sit elevated above those he was addressing and rendering judgment upon. Smith notes that "the bema seat (is) equivalent to the judge’s seat in the Olympic Games. After each game, the winners came before the judge’s seat to receive crowns for first, second and third places. Likewise, the Christian’s works will be tested by fire, and he’ll be rewarded for those which remain… The judgment seat of Christ is only concerned with a Christian’s rewards and position in the kingdom, not with his salvation. McComiskey writes that "In secular Greek bema is used in the sense of step or stride, as in walking (Pindar, Aeschylus). It has also the associative connotation of a pace as a unit of measure. The word is also used as a platform for a public speaker and, in legal contexts, it denotes the place where litigants stood for trial (Demosthenes, Aeschines)." (Brown, Colin, editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology) John Walvoord notes that 2Cor 5:10 "is the central passage in the Bible on the Judgment Seat of Christ, and Paul alluded to it a number of times in his epistles (Ro 14:10, 11, 12; 1Co 3:11, 12, 13, 14, 15; 9:24, 25, 26, 27). This was reinforced by the statement of Jesus, “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father” (John 5:22, 23). The Bema “judgment seat” in (Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10) and the Great White Throne (Re 20:11ff+) at which time Christ will judge the wicked unsaved of all ages (Revelation 20:11-15+) are separate judgments. TWO JUDGMENTS COMPARED 2 Corinthians 5:9,10 Revelation 20:11-15+ Judgment Seat of Christ Great White Throne Judgment Only believers Only unbelievers After the Rapture Before the Millennium After the 1000 year reign of Messiah Before the New Heaven and Earth Deeds determine rewards for service Deeds determine degree of punishment Christians are in view at the Bema Seat of Christ and everything hidden will be revealed. The Bema Seat will be an exhaustive evaluation of our lives after we became believers. 1 Corinthians 4:5+ says the Lord will come and bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. Note that last phrase! Be encouraged. EVERY MAN will receive praise from God! There are several future or "end time" judgments involving saved and unsaved individuals, Jews and Gentiles and Satan and the fallen angels. As the writer of Hebrews reminds all of us (saved and unsaved)… it is appointed for men to die once (no reincarnation!) and after this comes judgment (He 9:27) If we have believed in Christ for our salvation, this judgment is for the purpose of rewards (or loss of rewards) but not a judgment for sins. If one has not received Christ personally as Savior, this judgment is for one's sins and the wages ("rewards") are eternal death and separation from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, (Ro 6:23, 2Th 1:8,9,10). Below is an overview of Biblical judgments which is intended only to give one a perspective of where the Judgment Seat of Christ "fits" into the picture. SYNOPSIS OF JUDGMENTS PAST JUDGMENT There was the judgment for sin which Jesus Christ bore on the Cross and because He bore our sins and the judgment for us He could say, Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him (God the Father) who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment (of the unsaved at the Great White Throne-Re 20:11ff+), but has passed out of death (the second death, the Lake of fire, eternal separation away from the presence of God) into (eternal) life. (John 5:24). Comment: God will not judge the sins of believers, because they have already been judged on the Cross. However as discussed on this page, Christ will judge our works and our ministry. If we have been faithful in serving and glorifying Him, we will receive a reward. On the other hand, if we have been unfaithful, we will lose our reward but not our salvation because we have "passed out of death into life". Praise God! THE WAY TO FACE CHRIST AS JUDGE IS TO KNOW HIM AS SAVIOR. PRESENT JUDGMENT There is (or should be) self judgment in our present life (particularly in the context of celebration of the Lord's Supper) for we are told in 1Corinthians 11:31 that "if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged." This judgment may be in the form of discipline (see below) which can include sickness (see 1Co 11:30) or even death (cp Acts 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1Jn 5:16). The Lord's purpose of course is that we have a "healthy fear" of sin and these truths would drive us back to righteous behavior. However even this "judgment" proves we are truly His sons (see verses below) Although one might not consider discipline (chastening) of believers as judgment, most would agree that divine discipline is in some sense a present judgment (remembering that one root idea of the Greek word for judgment is separation or distinguishing between right and wrong). Because all believers are imperfect and need discipline and spiritual training, all true children of God are chastened at one time or another, in one way or another. (see Heb 12:5, 6+, He 12:7, 8, 9, 10+, He 12:11+). We as believers in Jesus Christ are warned not to needlessly, unfairly or critically judge others (Mt 7:1, 2+, Mt 7:3, 4, 5+) and yet are also charged not to refrain from calling sin sin, all the while doing so in a spirit of gentleness and recognition that that we ourselves are sinners (Gal 6:1) FUTURE JUDGMENT 1) During the Seventieth Week of Daniel (commonly referred to as "The Tribulation") the earth and "earth dwellers" will be impacted by a series of "judgments" that flow sequentially from the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments described in detail in Revelation 6-19. For an excellent, conservative (literal) verse by verse analysis of this time when God's wrath is poured out, I highly recommend Tony Garland's commentary on the Revelation entitled Tony Garland's commentary on the Revelation entitled "A Testimony of Jesus Christ". 2) The Judgment of the Nations (synonymous with "Gentiles") (Mt 25:31-46) The Sheep (saved Gentiles) and the Goats (unsaved Gentiles) will be separated. The Gentiles who come out of the time of the Great Tribulation are saved by grace through faith, but in Matthew 25 Jesus teaches that they will be identified on the basis of whether they befriended the Jews during the Great Tribulation in which anti-Semitism will reach its historical zenith. The fact that these Gentiles befriend Jews does not earn their salvation but demonstrates that they are saved. The saved Gentiles will have the wonderful privilege of entering into the Millennial Reign of Christ in their natural bodies. 3) The Judgment of Israel (Zech 13:8, 9+. Ezekiel 20:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38). Paul taught in Romans "they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel" (Ro 9:6) and after the Great Tribulation there will be a time in which God specifically judges Israel to determine who is the "true Israel" and it is these born again Jews who will enter into the Millennial reign of Christ. 4) The Judgment of Satan and his fallen angelic cohorts These judgments are described in (Jude 1:6+, Re 20:1+, Re 20:2+, Re 20:3+, Re 20:7+, Re 20:8+, Re 20:9+, Re 20:10+) 5) The Judgment of the Unbelieving Dead This judgment is most commonly referred to as the "Great White Throne" Judgment (Re 20:11+, Re 20:12+, Re 20:13+, Re 20:14+, Re 20:15+) and follows (1) the 1000 year binding of Satan, subsequent release and utter defeat and (2) the 1000 year reign of the saints with Christ on earth (Re 20:4+, Re 20:5+, Re 20:6+). Compare 2Th 1:6, 7, 8, 9 which describes the tragedy of hell, which is eternal separation from the Living God. May this immutable, awesome truth drive us to pray fervently and urgently for the lost in our sphere and influence and to witness to the liberating truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Related Resources: What are the different judgments in the Bible? - summary of past, present and future judgments Christ as Judge What is the Great White Throne Judgment? What is the Judgment Seat of Christ / Bema Seat of Christ? What happens at the final judgment? LET US PONDER OFTEN AND SOBERLY… THE BREVITY OF OUR DAYS & THE LENGTH OF ETERNITY! Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. (Jas 4:14+) Let us each consider taking some some time to slowly read through the following passages asking the Spirit of God to open the eyes of our heart to the truths therein and then for Him to will and work in us (Php 2:13+) so that we might redeem our remaining time (Eph 5:16, Ps 90:12), conducting ourselves daily with a "Bema Seat" Mindset, doing all to the praise of the glory of His grace in Christ. Amen Shortness of our life: Job 7:6, 7 9:25, 26 14:1, 2 Ps 37:2+ 39:5, 6+ Ps 90:4, 5, 6, 9, 10+ Ps 102:3+, Ps 102:11+, Ps 103:15+, Ps 103:16+ Ps 144:4+ Isa 38:12,13 40:6,7 Mt 6:30+ Jas 1:10, 11+ Jas 4:14 1Pe 1:24+ 2Ki 19:26 Related Resources: Devotional/motivational article - Redeem the Time - over 100 pages of notes, quotes, devotionals, etc Watch Redeem the Time video, article on Redeem the Time Related discussion in Romans 14:10+ Life As a Vapor - John
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Wiersbe - When we trusted Christ, we entered into the kingdom of God (John 3:3); but we are also awaiting the full revelation of His kingdom when He returns (2 Tim. 4:1). Paul makes it clear that people who deliberately and persistently live in sin will not share in God's kingdom. "They which practice (prasso in present tense) such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:21, literal translation). John
2 Coríntios 5:10
Wiersbe commenting on Daniel 12:3 remarks that… How we have lived and served will determine the rewards the Lord will give us at the judgment seat of Christ (Ro 14:9, 10, 11, 12; 2Co 5:6-10). Every cup will be full in heaven, but some cups will be larger than others. We will share in the glory of Christ, and those who have sought to win others to Christ will shine like the stars in the heavens. There is a special application here to those who have faithfully witnessed during the Tribulation period, when it will be a costly thing to identify with Christ and His people (Mt 24:14; Re 7:9-17). Our Lord emphasized the truth that faithfulness to Him today will lead to reward and ministry in the future kingdom (Mt 13:43; 19:27, 28; 25:14-30; Lk 19:12-27; Rev 2:26, 27; 5:9, 10). During His reign on earth, we will share in whatever work He has for us to do, according to how we have lived for Him and served Him here on earth. Believers who have suffered in their service for Christ will be more than compensated as they share in His glory (Ro 8:18; 2Co 4:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18). (Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament) Canadian Missionary J. Goforth (brief biography) gives a beautiful illustration of what every believer wants to hear someday When he was fifteen years of age his father put him in charge of their second farm, which was twenty miles from the home farm. "Work hard," said his father. "At harvest I'll return and inspect." In later years Goforth stirred many an audience as he told of his arduous labors that summer, of his father's return in the fall and of how his heart thrilled when his father, after inspecting the fields of beautiful waving grain, turned to him and smiled. "That smile," he would say, "was all the reward I wanted. I knew my father was pleased. So will it be, dear Christians, if we are faithful to the trust our Heavenly Father has given us. His smile of approval will be our blessed reward." I like Ray Stedman's prayer on the passage in Ro 14:10, 11, 12 that parallels the Bema Seat Judgment… Thank you, our Father, for these searching words which make us all feel a bit guilty. We have all been guilty of this, whether strong or weak. We have judged our brother, and condemned him. Forgive us for that, Lord. Help us to see that we have been usurping Your place, Lord Jesus, in doing so. Help us to stop that, and to begin to answer only for ourselves before Your throne, and upholding and praying for our brother or sister if we feel they need it. Grant to us, Lord, that illuminating understanding of truth that sets us free. We ask it in Jesus' name, Amen. Who does God's work will get God's pay, However long may seem the day, However weary be the way; Though powers and princes thunder "Nay," Who does God's work will get God's pay. He does not pay as others pay, In gold or land or raiment gay; In goods that vanish and decay; But God in wisdom knows a way, And that is sure, let come what may, Who does God's work will get God's pay. — Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations Pulpit Commentary - Every one shall receive a reward for every deed. “That every one may receive the things done in his body.” No lost labour. With this consciousness we may well be courageous amidst all the dangers here and in view of the great hereafter. Dread of death is a disgrace to the Christian. “If,” says Cicero, “I were now disengaged from my cumbrous body, and on my way to Elysium; and some superior being should meet me in my flight and make me the offer of returning and remaining in my body, I should, without hesitation, reject the offer; so much should I prefer going into Elysium to be with Socrates and Plato and all the ancient worthies, and to spend my time in converse with them.” How much more should the Christian desire to be “absent from the body, and present with the Lord”! Hampton Keathley III - For a summary of three major views, let me quote Samuel L. Hoyt from Bibliotheca Sacra. Some Bible teachers view the judgment seat as a place of intense sorrow, a place of terror, and a place where Christ display all the believer’s sins (or at least those unconfessed) before the entire resurrected and raptured church. Some go even further by stating that Christians must experience some sort of suffering for their sins at the time of this examination. At the other end of the spectrum another group, which holds to the same eschatological chronology, views this event as an awards ceremony. Awards are handed out to every Christian. The result of this judgment will be that each Christian will be grateful for the reward which he receives, and he will have little or no shame. Other Bible teachers espouse a mediating position. They maintain the seriousness of the examination and yet emphasize the commendation aspect of the judgment seat. They emphasize the importance and necessity of faithful living today but reject any thought of forensic punishment at the Bema. Emphasis is placed on the fact that each Christian must give an account of his life before the omniscient and holy Christ. All that was done through the energy of the flesh will be regarded as worthless for reward, while all that was done in the power of the Holy Spirit will be graciously rewarded. Those who hold this view believe that the Christian will stand glorified before Christ without his old sin nature. He will, likewise, be without guilt because he has been declared righteous. There will be no need for forensic punishment, for Christ has forever borne all of God’s wrath toward the believer’s sins.5 This last view I believe to be the one that is in accord with Scripture. Reasons for this will be set forth and developed as we study the nature, purpose, and basis for the Bema. But for now, lest we draw some wrong conclusions, we need to be ever mindful that God’s Word clearly teaches there are specific and very serious consequences, both temporal and eternal, for sin or disobedience. Though we will not be judged in the sense of punished for sin at the Bema since the Lord has born that for us, we must never take sin lightly because there are many consequences. (The Doctrine of Rewards The Judgment Seat (Bema) of Christ - Bible.org) James Denney… It is Christians only who are in view (at the Bema Seat). All that we have hidden shall be revealed. The things we have done in the body will come back to us, whether good or bad. Every pious thought, and every thought of sin; every secret prayer, and every secret curse; every unknown deed of charity, and every hidden deed of selfishness; we will see them all again, and though we have not remembered them for years, and perhaps have forgotten them altogether, we shall have to acknowledge that they are our own. Is not that a solemn thing to stand at the end of life? Judgment Seat - Bema (judgment seat) in secular usage had four meanings: 1. One’s stride, or manner of walking (which reveals character). 2. A platform for a public official (cf. Acts 25:6, 10, 17). 3. A “rewards platform” in sporting contests. Because of this meaning, some claim the “bema” is only a place for rewards—not judgment. But in secular legal contexts it also denotes 4. The place where litigants stood for trial. Paul repeatedly stressed this meaning; Acts 25:10, Romans 14:12. - Walk Thru the Bible Emery Nester writes… a. Results of the Bema: We will receive distinction which we will carry with us for all eternity. These are called crowns elsewhere. b. The Time of the Bema: The Bema will take place immediately upon the return of Christ when we are caught up in the air to meet the Lord. (Eschatology The Doctrine of Last Things - Session 59) What Would He Say? If He should come today And find my hands so full Of future plans, however fair, In which my Saviour has no share, What would He say' If He should come today And find my love so cold, My faith so very weak and dim I had not even looked for Him. What would He say' If He should come today And find that I had not told One soul about my Heavenly Friend Whose blessings all my way attend, What would He say' If He should come today Would I be glad, quite glad' Remembering that He died for all And none through me had heard His call, What would He say? Source unknown Borrow Tales of the Neverending by Mark R Littleton, Page 223 When I Stand at the Judgment Seat When I stand at the judgment seat of Christ And He shows me His plan for me; The plan of my life as it might have been Had He had His way, and I see How I blocked Him here and I checked Him there And I would not yield my will, Shall I see grief in my Savior’s eyes; Grief though He loves me still' Oh, He’d have me rich, and I stand there poor, Stripped of all but His grace, While my memory runs like a hunted thing Down the paths I can’t retrace. Then my desolate heart will well-nigh break With tears that I cannot shed. I’ll cover my face with my empty hands And bow my uncrowned head. No. Lord of the years that are left to me I yield them to Thy hand. Take me, make me, mold me To the pattern Thou hast planned. --Source Unknown F B Meyer in his book Five Musts of the Christian Life describes the 4th "must" as THE "MUST" OF SERVICE - "And He must needs go through Samaria" (John 4:4). GOD is prepared to undertake the direction of every human life which is placed at His disposal. The question of guidance is therefore of imperative importance for each living soul, as it passes out into this mortal life. Since God says, "All souls are mine," (Ezek 18:4) He must have, therefore, a distinct purpose for each, and sends each out with resources within reach sufficient to supply all its need (1Pe 4:10, 11+), according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Php 4:19+). It may even be that before the soul joins the body, it stands before its Maker to receive its directory or charge. Our Lord at least said: "To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world" (Jn 18:37). At the close of our earth-life we shall again stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of the things done in the body, whether good or bad (2Co 5:10). The Greek word in Ephesians 2:10+, translated workmanship, might be transferred bodily into our language as poem. We might therefore read the verse thus, We are His poem, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before prepared that we should walk in them. Nothing can give us more confidence as we look out on our life than that God is not only prepared to unfold His program for us, but is also prepared "to make all grace abound towards us, that we, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2Co 9:8). He will not only supply seed to the sower, but will also be responsible for his food! Thus our lives will become enriched to all liberality, which shall elicit from many hearts, thanksgiving to God. One Saturday afternoon, Dr. Gunsaulus of Chicago was preparing for his sermon on the following day. While thus engaged, his nephew, a flippant, careless fellow, rather lightly asked him the topic on which he was preparing to preach. He learned that it was on those words of our Lord: 'To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world.' Rather jauntily he said: "What do you think I was born for?" His uncle replied: "I don't know," and his nephew answered, "Neither do I." As he went along the street, he came to a theatre which had caught fire, while crowded with people, and many were being crushed and trampled to death by the mad rush for the door. The young fellow at once threw off his coat, and began dragging out body after body of these people, some dead and others dying, till he was stricken by a burning timber, knocked almost senseless, and carried to the nearest hospital. Dr. Gunsaulus reached his bedside just in time to hear him say: "Uncle, for this cause I was born, and for this I was sent into the world, that I might save those ten people." (Ed: I cannot help but think of Jude's command [present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey] to continually be about the business of saving others, snatching them out of the fire! [Jude 1:23]) There was a tragedy there, that none of us ever wish to meet. But, what a comfort it will be at last, to feel that we have glorified Christ's name and have finished the work which He gave us to do. (F. B. Meyer. Five Musts of the Christian Life) Here are 10 principles that for wise spiritual investing in light of eternity… 1. Invest in the lives of those who minister the word. (Gal 6:6, 7) 2. Minister to those in need. (Lk 10:42) 3. Sacrifice to follow Christ. (Lk 19:27, 28, 29) 4. Give without fanfare. (Mt 6:1, 3, 4) 5. Be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. (Mt 5:11, 12) 6. Pray in Secret (Mt 6:5, 6) 7. Engage in spiritual activity without fanfare. (Mt 6:16, 17, 18) 8. Love your enemies by being willing to help them. (Lk 6:35) 9. Give service to the Lord and not just to please men. (Col 3:23, 24) 10. Entertain those who cannot repay you. (Lk 14:12, 13, 14) (Borrow Going for the gold - Joe, L Wall) SO THAT EACH ONE MAY BE RECOMPENSED FOR HIS DEEDS IN THE BODY, ACCORDING TO WHAT HE HAS DONE WHETHER GOOD OR BAD: hina komisetai (3SAMS) hekastos ta dia tou somatos pros a epraxen (3SAAI), eite agathon eite phaulon: 2 Co 7:3; 1Ki 8:32,39; Job 34:11; Ps 62:12; Isa 3:10,11; Mt 16:27; Ro 2:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; 1Co 4:5; Gal 6:7,8; Ep 6:8; Col 3:24,25; Rev 2:23; 20:12; Rev 20:13; 22:12 Ro 6:12,13,19; 12:1,2; 1Co 6:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 Heavenly Rewards - Ray Pritchard PAY DAY SOME DAY! (Classic Sermon by R G Lee) 'Tis God's all-animating voice That calls thee from on high, 'Tis His own hand presents the prize To Thine aspiring eye. That prize with peerless glories bright, Which shall new luster boast, When victor's wreaths and monarch's gems Shall blend in common dust. Blest Savior, introduced by Thee Have I my race begun; And crowned with victory at Thy feet I'll lay my honors down. - Philip Doddridge So that (hina) is a term of purpose. What is the purpose for all believers appearing before the Bema Seat of Christ? The purpose is to receive our compensation from Christ. Earth for work, heaven for wages This life for the battle, another for the crown Time for employment, eternity for enjoyment. - Thomas Guthrie Each one (1538) (hekastos from hékas = separate) means every single one. Not a single saint will be exempted. We will all give an account for our thoughts, words and deeds, not to men but to the Omniscient, Holy, Righteous God! C H Spurgeon was once addressed by a young preacher who complained to Spurgeon that he did not have as big a church as he deserved. Spurgeon's replied with a question "How many do you preach to?" to which the young preacher replied "Oh, about a hundred". And what did
2 Coríntios 5:10
Wiersbe writes that "1Cor 3:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15+ gives another picture of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul compared our ministries with the building of a temple. If we build with cheap materials, the fire will burn them up. If we use precious, lasting materials, our works will last. If our works pass the test, we receive a reward. If they are burned up, we lose the reward, but we are still saved “yet so as by fire.” How does the Christian prepare for the Judgment Seat of Christ? By making Jesus Lord of his life and faithfully obeying Him. Instead of judging other Christians, we had better judge our own lives and make sure we are ready to meet Christ at the bema (see note below) (see Lk 12:41-48; He 13:17; and 1Jn 2:28) The fact that our sins will never be brought up against us should not encourage us to disobey God. Sin in our lives keeps us from serving Christ as we should, and this means loss of reward. Lot is a good example of this truth (Ge 18-19). Lot was not walking with the Lord as was his uncle, Abraham, and as a result, he lost his testimony even with his own family. When the judgment finally came, Lot was spared the fire and brimstone, but everything he lived for was burned up. He was saved “yet so as by fire.” (Bolding added) (Bible Exposition Commentary) F B Meyer in his book on the Apostles' Creed has a chapter entitled "FROM THENCE HE SHALL COME AGAIN TO JUDGE" which alludes in part to the Judgment Seat of Christ… IT is important to distinguish between "the judgment-seat of Christ" and "the Great White Throne." (Re 20:11ff+) They are essentially different. It seems as though some Christians supposed that the question of their final acceptance with God could not be ascertained until the verdict of the end of the world. Nothing could be further from the truth. Apart from scores of arguments against such an hypothesis, the words of Christ' are conclusive, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hears My word, and believes Him Who sent me, has (verb = present tense = not future but now and continually!) Eternal life, and comes not into judgment" (Jn 5:24). Of course not, because the sins of such have been confessed, judged, and forgiven. Directly the soul identifies itself with Christ, it is reckoned as having passed through His Cross, Grave, and Resurrection, and it would be inconceivable that it should be treated as though its position were in suspense. It is accepted in the Beloved, adopted into the Family of God, its sins and iniquities are as though they had never been committed, it is called into fellowship with the Son of God, to assist in His Divine Work of putting down all rebellious rule, authority, and power. The Apostle even informs us that we shall act as Christ's co-assessors, and shall judge angels (1Co 6:3). It is likely enough also that the Divine verdict and sentence on other lives than those of His children will be issued long before the final awards of the Great Last Day. Each soul will know long before that time, and perhaps on awakening in Eternity, what the unimpeachable award has been. Though, therefore, Christian believers need not await the Great White Throne (Re 20:11ff+) with any amount of alarm, there is for each of them a judgment-seat, "the judgment-seat of Christ," before which they must all stand to be judged. The Apostle knew that even he could not claim exemption from that enquiry to be held by his Lord. "We must all," he says, "be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad, therefore we make it our aim that we may be accepted of Him " (2Co 5:9, 10). This clear statement is, of course, in harmony with the Master's own words. The Lord comes to reckon with His servants, and to apportion them rewards, according to their employment of the talents He had entrusted to them. In the evening hour the Master of the vineyard comes to pay the husbandmen (Mt 20:1-16). It is not now a question of salvation or destruction, but of the adjustment of reward; and the reward is adjusted on the principle of Faithfulness to Trust. Where the two talents have been faithfully turned into four, there is the same generous meed (a fitting recompense) of approbation (an act of approving formally or officially), "Well done, good and faithful servant," (Mt 25:21, 23) as in the case of those who have turned five into ten (see Mt 25:13-30). It seems as though these considerations do not enter into the hearts of the majority of God's people. A professedly Christian man says: "Is it likely that God will send me to hell because I like a little gay (lively, spirited) society, or enjoy a quiet game of Bridge, or allow myself occasionally to visit music-halls and theatres?" Certainly God is not likely to send people to hell for such things. But this is the more important question, "What is your Master Christ, who redeemed you at such cost (cp Titus 2:14+), going to say about a frivolous, vain, and empty life, which was destitute of noble purpose and strenuous endeavour, and felt it irksome to be always 'on duty'?" What we should fear most, the Apostle Paul called it "the terror of the Lord" (2Co 5:11KJV), is lest at the end of a so-called Christian life, He should shut the door in our face, the door, not of Heaven, but of entrance into those higher festivities and sacred employments which await us yonder (Ed: Meyer is a bit speculative here [specifically "higher festivities"], so read this as a good Berean, Acts 17:11). There is a suggestion of this in Luke 12:46, in which the Master allots a portion with the unbelievers to the servant whom He had honoured with great opportunities, of which he had proved himself unworthy. (F. B. Meyer. The Creed of Creeds) F B Meyer in his exposition of 1Peter entitled "Tried by Fire" has the following section on 1Pe 1:17 (see note) which relates to the Bema Seat of Christ… God's children are to be judged, not at the Great White Throne (Re 20:11ff+), but at the judgment seat of Christ (2Co 5:10). That judgment will not decide our eternal destiny, because that has been settled before; but it will settle the rewards of our faithfulness or otherwise (Mt 25:19; 1Co 3:14). There is a sense in which that judgment is already in process, and we are ever standing before the judgment bar. "The Father who judges." The Divine verdict is being pronounced perpetually on our actions, and hourly is manifesting itself in light or shadow. But it is a Father's judgment. We call on Him as Father. (1Pe 1:17+) Notice this reciprocity of calling. He called us; we call Him; His address to us as children begets our address to Him as Father. We need not dread his scrutiny--it is tender. He pities us as a father pities his children, knowing our frame, allowing for our weaknesses, and bearing with us with an infinite patience. But for all that it is impartial. "Without respect of persons." (1Pe 1:17+) Many years before, this had been revealed to the Apostle from heaven in a memorable vision, which affected his whole after-ministry (Ac 10:35). Not according to profession, or appearance, or any self-constituted importance, but according to what we do, are we being judged. The holy soul realizes this; and a great awe falls upon it and overshadows it--an awe not born of the fear which hath torment, but of love. It passes the time of its sojourning in fear (1Pe 1:17+). Not the fear of evil consequences to itself, but the fear of grieving the Father; of bringing a shadow over his face; of missing any manifestation of his love and nearness to Himself, which may be granted to the obedient child. Love casts out fear (1Jn 4:18); but it also begets it. There is nothing craven, or fretful, or depressing; but a tenderness of conscience which dreads the tiniest cloud on the inner sky, such as might overshadow for a single moment the clear shining of the Father's face. So the brief days of sojourning pass quickly on [Jas 1:10, 11, Jas 4:14, Job 14:2 Ps 37:2 Ps 90:4, 5, 6, 12 Ps102:11 Ps103:15 Isa 40:6, 7 Mt 6:30 1Pe 1:24], and the vision of the Homeland beckons to us, and bids us mend our pace. (F. B. Meyer. Tried By Fire) (Bolding added) John MacDuff devotional on 2Corinthians 5:10… THE JUDGMENT OF GOD - 2Cor 5:10 - "ALL!" There is no eluding that searching scrutiny- "Every eye shall see Him." Believer, if safe in the covenant, there is to you no terror in that coming reckoning. The judicial dealing between yourself and your God is already past. You are already acquitted. The moment you cast yourself at the cross of your dear Lord, the sentence of "Not Guilty" was pronounced upon you; and if "it is God who justifies; who is he that condemns?" But this sentence will be ratified and openly proclaimed before an assembled world. On that great day of disclosures God will avenge His own elect. All the calumnies and aspersions heaped on their character will be wiped away. In presence of devils, and angels, and men, the approving sentence will go forth from the lips of the Omniscient One, "Enter into the joy of your Lord!" And WHO is to be your Judge? Who is to be enthroned on that tribunal of unerring rectitude, before whom every knee is to bow and every heart is to be laid open? "For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by THAT MAN he has appointed." "That Man!" Oh, it is no stranger! It is Him who died for you! who is now interceding for you! who will then stand on that latter day on the earth, to espouse your cause, vindicate your integrity, and utter the challenge to every reclaiming adversary- "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Reader, seek to know this God-Man Mediator on a throne of grace, before you meet Him on a throne of judgment. Seek to have your name now enrolled in this Book of Life, that you may hear it then confessed before His "Father and the holy angels." What an incentive to increased aspirations after holiness and higher spiritual attainments, to remember that the awards of that day and of eternity, will be determined by the transactions of time! It is a grand Bible principle, that though justified by faith, we shall be judged by works. No more, while from first to last, Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the meritorious cause of salvation, yet the works flowing from faith in Him and love to Him, will regulate the degree of future bliss; whether we shall be among the "greatest" or" the least in the kingdom;" whether we shall occupy the outskirts of glory, or revolve in orbits around the throne in the blaze of God's immediate presence! Were that trumpet-blast now to break on your ear, would you be prepared with the welcome response, " Even so, come." Seek to be living in this habitual state of holy preparedness, that even the midnight cry would not take you by surprise; that the summons which will prove so startling to a slumbering world, would be to you the herald of glory "He comes, He comes to judge the earth!" Never again your loins untie, Nor lot your torches waste and die, Until, when the shadows thickest fall, You hear your Master's midnight call! Oh the blessedness of being able, in sweet confidence in the Savior's second coming, to compose myself to rest night after night, and say, "Even though the trumpet of judgment should break upon my ears, I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." "I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night watches." –Psalm 63:6 ILLUSTRATION - God will not forget your service for the glory of His Name - On December 16, 1944, 18 members of a reconnaissance platoon held off a battalion of crack German storm troopers in the Belgian hamlet of Lanzerath. Few history books note that their gallant stand gave Allied forces time to begin mounting the defense that eventually won the famous Battle of the Bulge. One of the platoon members was Will James, who after the war slipped into oblivion for nearly 4 decades. During that time he underwent numerous painful surgeries as a result of his war wounds. Not until 1981, through the efforts of U.S. House Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill and columnist Jack Anderson, was he awarded, posthumously, the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism. James Smith - REWARDS What manner of love is this? that God should so love us as to give up His Son to die for us, and then reward us for every little thing done for Him. Oh, the grace of God—it is grace upon grace. Look at— I. THE REWARDER.—Rewards are usually given according to the dignity of the rewarder. 1. THINK OF HIS GREATNESS (Col. 3:24). The Lord Himself is the rewarder. The world was made by Him and for Him. He inhabiteth eternity. He speaks and it is done. 2. THINK OF HIS RICHES (Gen. 15:1). Is it earthly blessing? The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof. Is it spiritual gifts? The fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in Him. He who was rich became poor, that we, through His poverty, might be made rich. 3. THINK OF HIS GOODNESS (Matt. 6:4). How sweet are these words: "Thy Father Himself." The Father who gave His Son, how will He not, with Him, freely give us all things. O how great is Thy goodness! 4. THINK OF HIS FAITHFULNESS (Phil 2:8-10). The One who, for God, became a worm and no man, is exalted by God with a name above every name. We see Him enduring the cross, and we see Him crowned with glory and honour (Heb. 2:9). Having been faithful to His only Son, He will be faithful to His every son. II. THE REWARDED.—Not everyone will have their works rewarded. The wood, hay, and stubble will be burned. If any man's work abide, he shall receive a reward (1 Cor. 3:12-15). Rewards are given to— 1. THE EARNEST SEEKER (Heb. 11:6). Not those who seek rewards merely, but Him—"My soul thirsteth for the living God." 2. THE CAREFUL WORKER (1 Cor. 3:13-14). Take heed how and what ye build. Remember the testing fire. Be diligent in this business; be fervent in spirit—red hot. 3. THE CHEERFUL GIVER (Matt. 10:42). The Lord loveth a cheerful giver. Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily. The least thing done in Christ's Name will be rewarded. 4. THE RIGHTEOUS SOWER (Prov. 11, 18). Jesus Christ was the righteous Sower. What a reward He has received! (Heb. 2:9). Let us follow His example (Ps. 126:6). 5. THE UPRIGHT DEALER (2 Sam. 22:21). The Christian ought to do his business as in the sight of God, with an equal balance and with clean hands. 6. THE HUMBLE WALKER (Prov. 22:4). The reward of humility is riches and honour. Christ humbled Himself, wherefore God highly exalted Him (v. 29). 7. THE STEADFAST BELIEVER (Heb. 10:25). Whatever hinders your confidence in God is robbing you of a great recompense of reward. Listen not to the tempting devil. This is the victory—even our faith. 8. THE GODLY SUFFERER (Matt. 5:11-12). Jesus Himself, as our Captain, was consecrated through suffering. We suffer with Him that we may be also glorified together. 9. THE FAITHFUL WARRIOR (2 Tim. 4:8). On God's side the battle is the Lord's; on our side it is the fight of faith. Be faithful unto death and gain the crown of life. III. THE REWARDS — 1. THEY ARE GREAT (Gen. 15:1). Will be according to the greatness of the Giver. To have Himself is to have an exceeding great reward. "If He is mine, then all is mine." 2. THEY ARE SURE (Col. 3:24). Because they are of the Lord. He is faithful that hath promised. 3. THEY ARE VARIED. Every man shall receive according to his own labour (1 Cor. 3:8). In this case it will not be "every man his penny." The penitent thief cannot expect the reward of the laborious Paul. 4. THEY ARE SUFFICIENT (Matt. 25:21). Doubtless everyone will be abundantly satisfied with their own reward. His "well done" will be enough for this. But what is meant by "the joy of the Lord?" 5. THEY ARE ETERNAL (2 Cor. 4:17). These are laurels which never wither; blessings which perish not with the using. Who can count the value of "an eternal weight of glory?" 6. THEY ARE TO BE COVETED (2 John 8). Men will beguile us of our reward if they succeed in beguiling us away from lovingly serving the Lord. Press on toward the mark for the prize. IV. THE REWARDING.— 1. WILL BE ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS (1 Cor. 3:13). He shall reward every man according to his works (Matt. 16:27), not according to his profession. 2. WILL BE OPENLY (Matt. 6:4). Secret acts for Christ are not to be only secretly rewarded, although the faithful worker gets many a secret reward. 3. WILL BE IN THIS PRESENT TIME (Luke 18:29-30). The rewards are not all reserved for us in heaven. Daniel's self-denial was rewarded with heavenly wisdom (chap. 1). 4. WILL BE IN THE LIFE TO COME (Rev. 22:12). When clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, we will be the more able to receive and enjoy heavenly blessings. 5. WILL BE WHEN HE COMES (Matt. 16:27) The great rewards are bestowed when the Rewarder Himself appears. When He comes for His saints they shall receive the new body—the eternal fitness. When He comes with His saints they shall be rewarded with honours. 6. WILL BE DURING HIS REIGN (Rev. 20:4). Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? 7. WILL BE THROUGH ALL ETERNITY (2 Cor. 4:17). Where I am there shall ye be also—" For ever with the Lord." Hallelujah PLANNING FOR THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST Rod Mattoon The sobering fact that we will give an accounting of our life to the Lord and stand before Him in judgment is a huge catalyst for us to live our life with one eye on eternity. Paul addresses our appointment with the Lord in this verse. The Christian faces several types of judgements in his life. 1. We are to judge our own selves frequently. 1 Corinthians 11:31—For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 2 Corinthians 13:5—Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2. We are chastened by the Lord. We are taken to God's woodshed when we are disobedient or wayward. Hebrews 12:6—For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 3. Our works will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ for the purpose of rewards, not salvation. The Judgment Seat of Christ might be compared to a commencement ceremony. At graduation there is some measure of disappointment and remorse that one did not do better and work harder. However, at such an event the overwhelming emotion is joy, not remorse. The graduates do not leave the auditorium weeping because they did not earn better grades. Rather, they are thankful that they have graduated, and they are grateful for what they did achieve. To over-do the sorrow aspect of the judgment seat of Christ is to make Heaven like Hell. To under-do the sorrow aspect is to make faithfulness inconsequential. It is one thing to appear in a doctor's office and quite another thing to be X-rayed by him there. The judgment seat of Christ will reveal our lives of service for Christ exactly as they have been. Not only the amount of our service, but also its quality, and even the very motives that prompted it will be brought into review. Let's look at this verse and squeeze the goodies out of it. A. "For We Must All Appear" It is an appointment we must keep. There is no getting out of this judgment or delaying it. We will be face to face with Christ. There will be no concealment or hiding; no pretending or excuses; no spin or attorneys. The look in His eyes will say it all. This word "appear" means "made manifest, turned inside out." We will be under the scrutiny of Jesus Christ. He will see us as we really are and deal with issues that need to be dealt with in our lives. B. "Before the Judgment Seat of Christ" The word "seat" is the word bema. Every three years the Corinthians had contests in the stadium outside Corinth known as the Isthmian Games. They lasted for weeks. The contestants were professional athletes. Upon entry, they had to certify they had been in training twelve months and had followed rigid rules and guidelines. The contestants were under the supervision of many judges. If a person appeared to be the victor in an event, he was not declared victorious until the judges met and agreed that no rules had been broken. If they agreed, the judge led the athlete to the middle of the city square of Corinth. In the center of the square was a stone platform that was 40 feet long, 20 feet wide, and about 8 feet above the ground. This stone was called the "Bema." Athletes were awarded with laurel wreaths called the "victor's crown." The Bema did not conjure up ideas of guilt and punishment, but insisted on victory, reward, and honor. C. "That Everyone May Receive the Things Done in His Body, according to what He hath done, whether it be Good or Bad" The terms "good or bad" do not mean righteous or sinful. Our sins were dealt with at the cross and are under the blood. "Good or bad" means "acceptable or worthless" (unacceptable). Chapter five, verse nine says, "Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." Our goal is that our service for Christ is acceptable to Him. Every one of us has the opportunity for the "Well Done" of Jesus Christ. Christ will examine our motive of service and our faithfulness. That which is done with the wrong motives such as glorifying self instead of Christ, unfaithfulness, neglect of duty or opportunities, will be considered unacceptable, worthless, labor and un-rewardable. The loss of reward, the loss of His "Well Done," the loss of crowns and opportunities to rule in His kingdom will be a painful reprimand to us that will last for eternity. The sting from our lack of an answer will be very painful if the Lord should ask, "Why did you not serve me?" Little rewards or a lack of any rewards will be a shameful rebuke to how we lived our life. Having nothing to show for how we lived our lives will reveal our character and the quality of our faithfulness. Could we feel shame and sadness at the Judgment Seat of Christ? Yes! Many will feel shame because they wasted their lives on themselves. There will be tears at this judgement, but the Lord will wipe them away. 1 John 2:28—And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Revelation 21:4—And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. The rewards, or lack of them, will tell all about our lives, our service, our faithfulness or unfaithfulness. They will honor us or rebuke us. 1 Corinthians 4:5—Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. If there have been any false accusations brought against us, they will be brought to light. All wrongs and injustices against us will be made right. Misunderstandings will be cleared up. If we need vindication, the Lord will take care of it. Romans 12:19—Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Earl Radmacher said, "The person I am becoming today is preparing me for the person I shall be for all eternity." The person you are today will determine the rewards and responsibilities of tomorrow. Your life now will impact your responsibilities in eternity. I have had a number of Christians tell me, "I don't care about eternal rewards." That is a bunch of hog wash! Those same people are killing themselves trying to accumulate great rewards now! They profess they will be content with a shack in Heaven, but want a big home here on earth. If reward, recognition, or position is important now, it will be in eternity too, but it will be too late. Your chance to serve the King of kings is now! The Judgement Seat of Christ will help us to live with one eye on eternity. What is the Lord looking for at this judgment? What is God going to scrutinize and reward? The Bible provides some answers. Checklist for the Judgment Seat of Christ 1. Joyful acceptance of injustice. Bearing the insults of the world for the sake of Christ will be rewarded. Being harassed for taking a stand for what is right or refusing dishonesty will be rewarded. God is looking for this joyful acceptance. Matthew 5:11, 12—Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 2. Your financial generosity will be examined. God will look at what you do with what you have. Matthew 6:3, 4—But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:19-21—... Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 3. Your hospitality to others will be examined. Do you welcome people into your life or shut them out. Matthew 10:40, 41—He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 4. Secret prayer will be looked at by the Lord. Matthew 6:6—But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 5. He will inspect our faithfulness in our vocation. Colossians 3:23-24—... And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; [24] Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 6. Loving the unlovable will be rewarded. Luke 6:27, 28, 35—But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 7. Investing our lives into people with the gifts and the abilities that God has given us will be examined. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8—... I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 8. Watching for Christ's return will be rewarded. 2 Timothy 4:7-8—... I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9. Our acceptance of suffering and trials will be rewarded. 1 Peter 1:7—That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 10. Obeying God's Word will be rewarded. Psalm 19:9-11—... The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. [11] Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Proverbs 13:13—Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 11. Preaching the Gospel willingly will yield God's approval. 1 Corinthians 9:16-17—... For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! [17] For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 12. Our words will be judged. Matthew 12:36—But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 13. Our motives will be scrutinized. 1 Corinthians 4:5—Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. What are the rewards for believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ? The Bible tells us that God will reward His children with crowns. The Crowns for Believers A. A Crown for Self-control 1 Corinthians 9:25—And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. B. A Crown for Soul-winning 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20—... For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? [20] For ye are our glory and joy. C. A Crown for loving the Second Coming 2 Timothy 4:8—Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. D. A Crown for Serving the Lord as Shepherds or Pastors 1 Peter 5:2-4—... Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. E. A Crown for Suffering Persecution or being Martyred for Christ James 1:12—Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Will you have any crowns when you stand before the Lord? Will you be ashamed after realizing what you might have done for God if only you had been obedient to His will? Will you stand before Him empty handed? When I stand at the judgment seat of Christ And He shows me His plan for me. The plan of my life as it might have been Had He had His way, and I see. How I blocked Him here, and I checked Him there, And I would not yield my will -- Will there be grief in my Savior's eyes, Grief, though He loves me still? He would have me rich, and I stand there poor, Stripped of all but His grace, While memory runs like a hunted thing Down the paths I cannot retrace. Then my desolate heart will well-nigh break With the tears that I cannot shed; I shall cover my face with my empty hands, I shall bow my uncrowned head... Lord of the years that are left to me, I give them to Thy hand; Take me and break me, mold me to The pattern Thou hast planned! Author Unknown Beloved, may we all live our lives with one eye on eternity and make each day count for Christ. May we be faithful so that we will look forward to His return and not be ashamed at His coming. WHY IS THE BEMA SEAT DISCUSSED IN ROMANS 14? Wayne
2 Coríntios 5:14-16
Wiersbe explains Christ's death so that we (believers) might live "is the positive aspect of our identification with Christ: we not only died with Him, but we also were raised with Him that we might “walk in newness of life” (Ro 6:4). Because we have died with Christ, we can overcome sin; and because we live with Christ, we can bear fruit for God’s glory (Ro 7:4). He died that we might live through Him: “God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1Jn 4:9). This is our experience of salvation, eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. But He also died that we might live for Him, and not live unto ourselves (2Co 5:15). This is our experience of service. It has well been said, “Christ died our death for us that we might live His life for Him.” If a lost sinner has been to the cross and been saved, how can he spend the rest of his life in selfishness? (Bible Exposition Commentary) But for Him Who died - Clearly a reference to Christ's death.
2 Coríntios 5:14-16
Wiersbe explains that because of our new birth, our new life in Christ, this "spiritual revolution" brings about a new relationship to other human beings "We no longer look at life the way we used to. To know Christ “after the flesh” means to evaluate Him from a human point of view. But “the days of His flesh” are ended (Heb 5:7+) because He has ascended to heaven and is now glorified at the Father’s right hand. Adam was the head of the old creation, and Christ (the Last Adam, 1Co 15:45) is the Head of the new creation. The old creation was plunged into sin and condemnation because of the disobedience of Adam. The new creation means righteousness and salvation because of the obedience of Jesus Christ. (See Ro 5:12-21-+ for the explanation of the “two Adams.”) Because we are a part of the new creation, everything has become new. For one thing, we have a new view of Christ. It is unfortunate that too great an emphasis is given in music and art on Christ “after the flesh.” The facts about the earthly life of Jesus are important, because the Christian message is grounded in history. But we must interpret the manger by the throne. We do not worship a Babe in a manger; we worship a glorified Saviour on the throne. (Bible Exposition Commentary) No longer (3765) (ouketi) is an adverb which negates an extension of time, so that it extends up to a certain point but not beyond that point = no more, no longer, no further. One of the saddest uses of ouketi is found in John 6:66 where the "disciples" that had followed Jesus part of the way were not willing to go all the way and thus "were not walking with Him anymore." (Jn 6:66) A well known use is found in Gal 2:20 where Paul states that it is "no longer" (ouketi) he who lives, but Christ lives in him. Oh, that this would be true in more and more of the lives of God's children for the glory of His Name. Amen. In Ep 2:19 Paul says the Gentiles (most of you reading this) are no longer (ouketi) strangers! Hallelujah!
2 Coríntios 5:17
Wiersbe explains that… He died that we might live through Him: “God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1John 4:9). (Ed: See notes on through Him) This is our experience of salvation, eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. But He also died that we might live for Him, and not live unto ourselves (2Co 5:15). This is our experience of service. It has well been said, “Christ died our death for us that we might live His life for Him.” If a lost sinner has been to the cross and been saved, how can he spend the rest of his life in selfishness?… Christ died that we might live through Him and for Him, and that we might live with Him. “Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him” (1Th 5:10-+). Because of Calvary, believers are going to heaven to live with Christ forever! (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor) So that they who live might no longer live for themselves- The egocentric life becomes the Christocentric life. Paul stated this clearly in Gal 2:20-+ writing that… I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Col 3:4-+); and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for (Greek = huper = on behalf of) me. (cp our new direction no longer for ourselves but for Him = Titus 2:14-+, 1Pe 2:24-+, Ga 6:14-+, Ro 14:7, 8-+, Php 1:21-+, Php 2:3, 4-+, Php 2:5, 6, 7-+, Php 2:8, 9-+).
2 Coríntios 5:18-19
Wiersbe observes that...There is a lovely illustration of this truth in the little letter Paul wrote to his friend Philemon. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, stole from his master and then fled to Rome. Because of his crimes, he could have been crucified. But in the providence of God, Onesimus met Paul and was converted. Paul wrote the Letter to Philemon to encourage his friend to forgive Onesimus and receive him home. “Receive him as myself,” wrote Paul (Philemon 1:17); “if he... oweth thee aught, put that on mine account” (Philemon 1:18). Paul was willing to pay the bill (imputation) so that Onesimus and Philemon could be reconciled. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament. 1989. Victor) Counting (3049) (logizomai from lógos = reason, word, account) means to reckon, compute, calculate, to take into account, to deliberate, and to weigh. Logizomai refers to a process of careful study or reasoning which results in the arriving at a conclusion. Logizomai conveys the idea of calculating or estimating. Logizomai is related to our English term logic (which deals with the methods of valid thinking, reveals how to draw proper conclusions from premises and is a prerequisite of all thought). Logizomai was a term frequently used in the business community of Paul's day and meant to impute (put to one's account) or credit to one's account. Paul uses the present tense to indicate that because of the work of Christ to reconcile man to God, the Father continually does not impute or reckon our sins to our "spiritual account." (cp Ro 4:8-+ cp Ps 32:1, 2-+) Christ's death on the Cross paid the believing sinner's debt in full and forever! Hallelujah! A T Robertson...What Jesus did (his death for us) stands to our credit (Ro 8:32+) if we make our peace with God. This is our task, “the word of reconciliation,” that we may receive “the righteousness of God” and be adopted into the family of God. (2 Corinthians 5:18 Word Pictures in the NT) Their trespasses against them - Paul is NOT teaching universal salvation, that all men are saved through the work of Christ! This truth obviously applies only to believers ("them"). It should be a continual source of great joy and gratitude and love, all of which should motivate us to lay aside the old ways of the flesh and continually seek to walk in the Spirit.
2 Coríntios 5:18-19
Wiersbe reminds us that... Jesus Christ died to make reconciliation possible. You and I must live to make the message of reconciliation personal. God has “given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2Cor 5:18). We are His ambassadors of peace (2Cor 5:20). Our feet should be shod “with the preparation of the Gospel of peace” (Ep 6:15). “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Mt 5:9). A missionary was preaching in the village market, and some of the people were laughing at him because he was not a very handsome man. He took it for a time, and then he said to the crowd, “It is true that I do not have beautiful hair, for I am almost bald. Nor do I have beautiful teeth, for they are really not mine; they were made by the dentist. I do not have a beautiful face, nor can I afford to wear beautiful clothes. But this I know: I have beautiful feet!” And he quoted the verse from Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace” (Isa. 52:7). Do you have beautiful feet? (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament. 1989. Victor) Illustration - Elizabeth Barrett was a Victorian-era poet whose father violently objected to her marriage to fellow poet Robert Browning. For ten years, Elizabeth wrote to her parents, asking them to reconcile with her. She never got a response. But finally, Elizabeth got a box in the mail. She opened it to find all of the letters she had written to her parents, not one of which had been opened. Her father never knew the depth of her love and her desire to be reconciled. God has written the world a letter telling people of His love for them and His desire to have them reconciled to Him. It’s our duty to open this letter, the Word of God, and help lost people understand how far God has gone to bring them back to Himself. Otherwise, if the message of His letter never gets through to those who need it the most, there will be no reconciliation. Let’s make sure we are fulfilling our duty as ambassadors who have a great message to tell. (Evans, A. T. Totally Saved). Being An Ambassador - After visiting a homeless shelter, a group of teenagers couldn’t wait to express what they had experienced. Excitedly, they wrote about their visits with men and women of all ages who were poor and destitute. One teen wrote: “I talked with a Vietnam vet and told him that in heaven he would have a new body. I was able to reassure him in his faith.” Another said, “A guy named Michael showed me that even though he was living in a homeless shelter, having faith made all the difference.” Still another wrote: “I talked with a man who had almost stopped believing in God. I tried to [encourage him in his faith].” While desiring to share God’s message of reconciliation, these teens were surprised to find that some of the people already knew God. By cutting through the discomfort of their differences, the kids discovered people who needed the reassurance that God still cared for them. The teens’ roles changed from sharing the good news to guiding their new friends toward a deeper faith. Lord, use us as Your instruments Of truth and love and care, And may we bring encouragement As Your good news we share. —Sper A word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up and going on. The Father's Love - In his autobiography, a well-known TV personality describes the time when he asked, “If God the Father is so all-loving, why didn’t He come down and go to Calvary?” That comment reveals how little he understood the love of a good earthly father and the depth of love revealed in the Trinity. Consider the love an earthly father has for his son. In Genesis 22, we read that God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. We can only imagine the agony in his heart as he and the boy climbed the mountain. Surely Abraham must have wished he could take Isaac’s place. As a father and grandfather myself, I would choose to die in place of my offspring, if given the choice. Our love as earthly fathers is but a faint reflection of our heavenly Father’s love for His Son and for us. Because of the close relationship between the Father and the Son, Jesus could say, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). And the Bible tells us that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2Corinthians 5:19). Without a doubt, therefore, the Father did share His Son’s pain at Calvary. Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? —Wesley The Father's love knows no limit.