"The Judgment Seat of Christ" New Year’s Spiritual Inventory - December 29 Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Romans 14:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10

A New Year's Spiritual Inventory 

Today's Reading:  1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Romans 14:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10           

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

Romans 14:9-12

Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.11 For it is written,

As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to me,
and every tongue will give praise to God.

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Through the Bible Readings: Zechariah 13-14, Revelation 20, Psalm 148:9–14, Proverbs 31:24–26 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:   The Judgment Seat of Christ     

Have you ever had a job where you had an annual or periodic review? Fun, wasn't it? You sit with your boss and your performance over the previous year is discussed and then you are rewarded with an appropriate raise (or you lose out on such). It is generally uncomfortable. 

Each of us, as believers, faces a similar review at the end of our lives, what the Bible calls the "judgment seat of Christ." There is an awful judgment mentioned in Revelation 20 called the Great White Throne in which sinners are called to account before God, are judged for their sins, and are sent to the lake of fire. But when the "judgment seat" is mentioned, something very different is in mind. 

At the Olympic games of the day, there would be a high seat on which the king or some other dignitary sat. After the games, he would pass out the appropriate rewards from his judgment seat.

In some way, after we are brought into the presence of God but before the eternal glory of heaven commences God will review our performance as Christians and give us rewards for the races we have run. There is no time for extensive development, but the following points are in order. 

• Heaven or hell are not in order, but rewards for running well as believers. 1 Corinthians 3 makes this very clear. 
• This judgment is less about sin and more about ministry. Again, 1 Corinthians 3 talks about building on the foundation of Christ, building up the body of Christ, and having those works set to flame to see if they endure. 
• In other words, the key issue is, have we ministered to others in ways that produce eternal fruit and results? 
• According to Romans 14, the path of the Lordship of Christ is key - we must walk in obedience to him in all things. 
• This is for all believers, not just for a special class, or for preachers. All must stand before Christ. 
• There is a reward of some kind for those who perform well in their ministry and service to Christ. We may never know until heaven what this reward looks like. Crowns, such as those given to runners who won races, are described in various places. Whatever it is, it is wonderful and desirable - it is worth serving Christ for this reward and it will be a tragedy to sacrifice it.
• There is a significant picture in Revelation of the saints laying their crowns before Christ, recognizing that Jesus Christ is the power that enabled us to earn any reward. 

The purpose of this is clear. We are to be motivated by a love for Jesus Christ, a passion for him, but we should also be motivated by this reminder that one day we will stand before our savior, who died for us, and give account for how we lived our lives, how we guarded the sacred trust he gave to us. 

Father, empower me to run well the race marked out for me so that when I am reviewed I will receive the crowns you have set aside for me. 

 

Give Careful Thought to Your Ways:

Take time to consider this thought - that Jesus will one day review your life and your ministry. 

• Are you living your life for eternal things? 
• Are you investing in others for the name of Christ? 
• If you faced the judgment seat today, what might the Savior say?

Consider these things prayerfully.

Hymn of the Day: 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now I'm found,

Was blind, but now I see.

'twas Grace that taught,

my heart to fear.

And grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear,

the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come.

'tis grace that brought me safe thus far,

and grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

as long as life endures.

When we've been there ten thousand years,

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise,

than when we first begun.