Condemnation vs Conviction-Part Six

The Bema Judgement, the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Judgment of the Christian

Condemnation comes from Satan to attack and condemn individuals. At the end of time God will pour out His wrath and condemn the wicked who have rejected His offer of salvation. Christians do not experience condemnation from God, but they will experience the judgment of Christ in heaven,

The judgment seat of Christ does not determine our salvation, it determines what rewards we will receive.

Romans 14:10-12
¹⁰ But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you as well, why do you regard your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God. ¹¹ For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee will bow,
And every tongue will ^[a]give praise to God.”
¹² So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

John 5:22
For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,

Judgment Seat, Bema

A bema was a raised platform on which judges sat to view athletic games. Their job was to make sure contestants followed the rules and to present awards to the victors. The bema was never a place to reprimand the athletes or to punish them in any way. It was a place of testing and reward. In the same way, the bema of Christ will not be a place of condemnation or censure.

Who will Jesus judge in the Bema Judgment?

Christians, those who are truly born again and in heaven. All others will experience what is called the Great White Throne Judgment.

What Will Jesus Judge?

2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.
The judgment seat of Christ does not determine our salvation; that matter was settled by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2) and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All our sins are forgiven, and there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

So, believers are secure in Christ, but they still must appear before the judgment seat of Christ-the Bema Judgment. It will be a time of looking at our past good and bad deeds and determine the just reward for each of us. What did we do with the resources God gave us? How faithful were we to do the things He called us to do? Were we yielded to the Holy Spirit, seeking to honor Christ and further His work in the world-obeying the Great Commission to share the gospel and make disciples.

Foundation is Christ, What is Our Building Materials

1 Corinthians 3:10-15
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test [a]the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.

In anticipation of the judgment seat of Christ, we are careful in what we say and do in this life. James gives this advice: “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” (James 2:12; cf. Matthew 12:36).

The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things. 2 Timothy 2:5; 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; and Revelation 2:10. At the very end of the Bible, Jesus said, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12).

Condemnation vs Conviction-Part Six-The Bema Judgment

Condemnation vs Conviction Series
Condemnation vs Conviction-Part One, Definitions
Condemnation vs Conviction-Part Two, Condemnation
Condemnation vs Conviction-Part Three, Benefits of Conviction
Condemnation vs Conviction-Part Four, Why Conviction Rejected
Condemnation vs Conviction-Part Five, Condemnation from God
Condemnation vs Conviction-Part Six, The Bema Judgment

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