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The Daily Word of Righteousness
An Examination of Current Teaching, #25
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (II Corinthians 5:10)
No believer in Christ will be punished at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
It is taught commonly in Christian churches that no believer has anything to fear from the Judgment Seat of Christ. It appears this doctrine has done much to remove the fear of the Lord from the churches. It certainly is unrealistic and unscriptural!
What does the text say? "That each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (II Corinthians 5:10)
The Word of God says we shall receive what is due us for the bad things we did while living in the present world.
If we do bad things, we shall receive what is due us for doing those bad things. What could be plainer? How then can we maintain that a believer who has done bad things will not receive what is due him or her for those bad things?
I think our misunderstanding comes from our belief that once we accept Christ we cannot be judged.
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)
Using this verse as an axiom, Christian teachers deduce it is not possible for a person to be judged and receive what is due him for the wickedness he practices while he is a Christian.
But let us look at another verse:
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (I Peter 4:17)
In fact, the fourth chapter of First Peter is telling us we are judged by the Lord and go through fiery trials while He is saving us from sin.
Let us think then, about the three forms of Divine judgment we experience.
First, when we accept by faith the blood atonement made by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary we are forgiven all of our sin. This is the first judgment.
Second, we then are judged concerning the choices we make as a Christian.
Third, the works of Satan in us are judged and condemned.
The second and third judgments work together. As we obey the commandments of Christ and His Apostles, choosing to live in the Spirit of God rather than in our sinful nature, the Lord leads us in battle against the sin that dwells in our flesh. As we confess, denounce, and renounce that sinful behavior as it is pointed out to us, the Spirit of God brings Divine judgment against Satan and we are set free from the compulsion to sin. This happens "city by city," so to speak. This is the third judgment, the judging and condemning of the works of Satan.
To be continued.