![]() ![]() It is so disturbing, in fact, that I’ve found any honest attempts to deal with it are met with tremendous resistance. “Whether good or bad” in this verse is perhaps the most disturbing phrase for believers in the entire New Testament. But no matter how nice our works of wood and hay and straw have looked in the display case of this world, they will not withstand the incendiary gaze of God’s Son in the next.Ģ Corinthians 5:10 says, “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.” If they are made of the right stuff (gold, silver, costly stones), they will withstand and be purified by the fire. ![]() The fate of the works will be determined by their nature. The fire of God’s holiness will reveal the quality of these works, the eternal significance of what we have done with our God-given assets. Our works are what we have done with our resources-time, energy, talents, money, possessions. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. Rather, Scripture presents it as a monumental event in which things of eternal significance are brought to light and things of eternal consequence are put into effect. It does not portray it as a meaningless formality or a going-through-the-motions before we get on to the real business of heavenly bliss. God’s Word treats this judgment with great sobriety. The result of this will be the gain or loss of eternal rewards (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 2 Corinthians 5:9,10 Romans 14:10-12). We will be judged by him according to our works, both good and bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). Scripture teaches with unmistakable clarity that all believers in Christ will give an account of their lives to their Lord (Romans 14:10-12). To Christians Jesus says, “I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds” (Revelation 2:23). He is “keeping score.” As an instructor gives grades to his students, so Christ gives grades to the churches. The Lord’s evaluation of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 makes clear he is watching us, evaluating us. The believer will not be condemned at the Great White Throne, but nonetheless he still faces a judgment of works himself, at what is called the “Judgment Seat of Christ.” The unbeliever’s judgment of works comes at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:12). Scripture repeatedly states all men, not just unbelievers, will be judged for their works (Proverbs 24:12 Ecclesiastes 12:14). ![]() What we seldom consider is that Scripture plainly tells us there is a judgment of believers, not simply of our faith but of our works, that will determine for all eternity certain aspects of our place or position in heaven. ![]() Heaven will be a wonderful place, and we will enter it only on the basis of faith in Christ’s work for us, not by any works which we have done. We will live, celebrate, eat and drink in heaven (Revelation 19:9 Luke 22:29, 30). It is a place of great pleasure, characterized by magnificent beauty, including streets of gold and buildings of pearls and emeralds and precious stones (Rev. Heaven is a real place in which we will worship God (Revelation 5:11-13), serve God (Revelation 7:15) and reign with God (Revelation 22:5). What awaits the believer after death? We all know the answer-heaven. ![]()
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