Some readers may find this verse (II Corinthians 5:10) difficult to reconcile with Paul's teaching of grace in the first part of Romans. The difficulty arises from the fact that we do not understand the early chapters of Romans. The same apostle who wrote about grace in the early chapters of the Book of Romans also penned II Corinthians 5:10.

The beema (judgment seat) of Christ is not an awards banquet. It is a court where accused criminals are brought to judgment. Every human being, Christian or not, will be brought here. We are a fallen, rebellious, lawless race.

Christians will receive not only good but also evil, depending on their works while in the body.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28,29)

"They that have done good . . . they that have done evil."

We have been taught wrong doctrine for so long we are unable to understand the clear, simple words of the Scripture.

The current teaching is that the believer need have no fear of the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Let us see if Paul agrees.

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. (II Corinthians 5:11)

"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men."

Persuade what men of what terror?

We would respond, all men, including Christians.

Of what terror are we speaking? Of the terror of receiving at the hands of the resurrected Christ the evil we have practiced.

The Judgment Seat of Christ is a good reason for every sinner to be terrified whether or not he is a believer in Christ.

We think the Apostle Paul would agree with this.

We have stated that Christ is ready to judge those who are alive in the world and those who are deceased. We have suggested that the Divine judgment comes in the form of fiery ordeals and that for most of us, most of the judgment, the ordeals, may take place in the spirit realm after we die or at the coming of the Lord.

Notice, for example, the following:

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:45-48)

We are speaking of the Lord's servants, not of those who are not His servants. The Lord's servants clearly stand in danger of receiving the inheritance of the unbelievers.

The problem is not one of unbelief in the doctrine of the atonement but of beating people and drunkenness.

The time setting is the coming of the Lord to His servant (perhaps not the historic coming in the clouds).

The misbehaving servant will be cut into pieces and appointed his portion with unbelievers.

We must prepare ourselves by doing the Lord's will.

The Lord's servant who understood His will and did not do it shall be beaten with a whip.

The Lord's servant who did not know the Lord's will but did things worthy of lashes shall be beaten less severely.

To be continued.