The evaluation of believers' works for eternal reward
The Judgment Seat of Christ (Greek: Bema) is not a judgment for salvation — that was settled at the cross. Rather, it is the evaluation of believers' works to determine eternal rewards. Every believer will stand before Christ to have their life's work tested by fire. Works done in human effort will burn as wood, hay, and stubble. Works done in the power of the Holy Spirit will endure as gold, silver, and precious stones.
The Lord Jesus Christ on the cross substituted the payment of all man's sins. The penalty of sin is death. There is therefore no judgment for those in Christ Jesus. The substitutionary death is complete.
Romans 6:23 — "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 8:1 — "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 5:19-21 — "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Galatians 3:13 — "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."
We are told that if we judge ourselves we shall not be judged. Failure to do so brings divine discipline.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 — Discipline for unconfessed sin in the church.
1 Corinthians 11:31-32 — "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."
2 Corinthians 2:5-7 — Restoration after confession and discipline.
Hebrews 12:7 — "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"
1 John 1:9 — "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
This is the evaluation of the production of believers for the purpose of reward — not salvation, but reward.
2 Corinthians 5:10 — "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
Our human works — wood, hay, and stubble — will be burned. Our works done in the power of the Holy Spirit — gold, silver, and precious stones — will be rewarded.
1 Corinthians 3:11-16 — "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
| Wood, Hay, Stubble | Gold, Silver, Precious Stones |
|---|---|
| Works done in human effort | Works done in the power of the Holy Spirit |
| Works done for personal glory | Works done for God's glory |
| Works done in the flesh | Works done in faith and obedience |
| Will be burned — no reward | Will endure — eternal reward |
At the Judgment Seat of Christ the believer can be denied reward but can never lose his salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith — it is a gift from God, not earned by works. Rewards are based on faithful service after salvation.
2 Timothy 2:12-13 — "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."
Even if we are unfaithful, Christ remains faithful. The believer's salvation is secure — but rewards can be lost through unfaithfulness.
Believers who fall away from the faith and produce no fruit will be saved, but will have no reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Hebrews 6:7-12 — "For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
The passage speaks of being saved "yet so as by fire" (1 Cor. 3:15) — saved, but with no reward to show for one's life.
The Judgment Seat of Christ is illustrated by the famous athletic games in the ancient world. The Greek word Bemareferred to the raised platform where the judge sat to award prizes to victorious athletes. Believers are called to run the race with discipline, self-control, and perseverance — not for an earthly crown, but for an eternal one.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 — "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 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. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
The athlete trains with discipline to win a perishable wreath. The believer must exercise even greater discipline to win an imperishable crown.
Even though the Judgment Seat evaluates works, the rewards themselves are based on grace. God is merciful and gracious in his judgment. He rewards not only the work itself but the faith and love behind it.
James 2:12-13 — "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment."
God's mercy triumphs over judgment. He remembers our frame, that we are dust (Psalm 103:14), and rewards us beyond what we deserve.