"The Judgement of the Believer Part 2"

The Judgement Of The Believer – Part 2

To whom are you accountable?

Naturally, we think of our relationships—husbands and wives are accountable to each other and children to parents or guardians. However, some people act as if they answer to no one. But that is a dangerous direction to take because that person is dangerous and has no self-control. Accountability is a safeguard to keep us on the right path. Ultimately, we are all accountable to the Lord God and His Word and will one day stand before Him to be judged. That’s what the judgement is all about. The Bible describes two different and separate judgments. We will all be a part of one or the other. No one is exempt.

The Judgment of Believers (Paul speaks to believers)

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (NKJV)

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.  7  For we walk by faith, not by sight.  8  We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 9    Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.  10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive (rewarded) the

things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

 The judgement of the believer is unavoidable

 There is going to be a moment of judgement for every single one of us whether you believe it or not; pick your pleasure

The Judgment of Unbelievers

Read Revelation 20:11-13 (NKJV)

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.  12  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And
another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.  13  The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

This is the Great White Throne Judgment where unbelievers whose names are not written in the book of life are judged according to their deeds. The result is eternal separation from God.

The Judgment of Believers

What can we expect at the judgment seat of Christ? Only those who have trusted Christ as their Savior will be present at this judgment. Our meeting with Christ is a predestined event set by God Himself. There will be no excuses and no absences.

Jesus will be the Judge. Because He is our Savior and has forgiven all our sins, this is not a judgment to decide whether we can enter heaven. We will already be in heaven when we stand before Him. The purpose is to reward us for what we have done.

How is the Lord going to judge us? It will be according to our works.

1 Corinthians 3:14-15 says, If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures (survives), he will receive a reward.  15  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames). (NKJV)

Although we may approach life casually sometimes, but nothing in our lives is casual to God. Our entrance into heaven cost Him the death of His only begotten Son, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to do=whatever He has required of us. When it is time for us to stand before Christ, He will evaluate what we have done and determine whether it’s worthless or worthy of His reward. However, be assured that although we may lose our reward, our presence in heaven will remain secure.

There are three criteria by which Christ will judge us. How much spiritual light we have had

The opportunities God has given us. There will be no comparisons between people at the judgment because every person is uniquely created and gifted by God.

How we have responded to the light of truth and the opportunities He’s given us. What have we done with what God entrusted to us? How have we spent our time? Christ will evaluate both our motives and our works. We are either going to be rewarded or lose reward in this judgment.

How do we prepare for the judgment?

First of all, we must receive the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior. Otherwise we will find ourselves at the Great White Throne Judgment suffering eternal loss rather than at the judgment seat of Christ receiving eternal rewards. Say, you are in the category of “being saved.” Second, we should review our lifestyle. That is really think about how you are living. Ask yourself: What am I living for? How do I spend my time? How do I employ my spiritual gifts? How do I give my resources? (including giving tithes) In what ways do I serve the Lord? In what ways do I honor Him?

 So when you get up tomorrow morning, what are you going to think about? It’s Monday… Or will you think about the Lord and thank Him for a job to meet my needs?

 During the day, do you ever stop to thank the Lord for being at every intersection on your travels? Or thank Him for keeping you and your family safe?

 Or do you only come to Him when there is a fear, a need or a pain.

 Or do you realize just how good God is to you 24/7

 Just know that your next heart beat will not be determined by you; just like that it could be over

 So, will you be ready? You have no guarantees about tomorrow. The only guarantee you have is today

Third, we need to re-evaluate our priorities. So many times I hear people say “put God first in your life.” And I want to ask them Where is the Lord in the busyness of your daily life? Do I make time for Him? What role does He play in your decision making process?

Fourth, we should renew our daily commitment to live a godly life and serve Him with our whole heart. Mornings are a good time to focus on the fact that we are responsible to live for God throughout the coming day. As a reminder, begin the day with Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)

 Don’t be wise in your own eyes cause everybody’s eye sight goes bad! (help me somebody)

 Fear the Lord and turn away (repent) from evil

 It will be health to your body; and refreshment to your bones

 Think about this… when you wake up tomorrow morning… trust in the Lord with all your heart

 Don’t lean to your own understanding (

 In all your ways acknowledge Him

 You know what that means?

 In all my ways, Lord what would you have me to do here; Most people in most of their ways do not acknowledge God as if He didn’t exist

 Here’s the promise… He will direct your paths

 We are all going to give an account to God

 You may live 80 years on this earth, but on the other side of this judgement is eternity

 You and I will enjoy the blessings of God on the basis of how we lived our life while we were here