The Two Judgments          Part 2

We spoke about the absence of sin as a basis for judgment last time. I hope you gave it some thought.However,in this post we are going to look at some foundational principles of this Bema judgment.

There is a lot more out there than what we will look at; including some contrary views.This study hopefully  gets you to look a little deeper at this judgment.There is a very good reason to study this judgment.What's that Ronnie?

 Just this.If we get a grasp that this judgment is for the sole purpose of rewarding or not rewarding believers, then we don't make it about salvation.It maintains the integrity of "faith alone in Christ alone" as the sole requirement for eternal life.You will be surprised that although the overwhelming majority of Protestant churches will have that{faith alone...} in their statements of faith, most{at least in America} do not preach it from their pulpits.Another discussion.

 

 You know the prevalent view of heaven is that we will be with God doing all sorts of things.There will be no big I's and little you's.God is fair and He is no respecter of persons.It may or may not surprise you to learn that is not an accurate representation of the Kingdom of God.

 

 Indeed, there will most certainly be inequality in the Millenial Kingdom and maybe....no,probably throughout eternity.Huh?What are you saying Ronnie? Well,let me try and explain.Remember we are not talking about a free gift here,no,no.We have moved into the area of wages paid for work done.Our study will be mostly in Hebrews with a couple of verses in Timothy, Romans,and Psalms.Look at this.  

 

 16 "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ro 8:16–17.

Look at that word "provided"It is translated in many versions as"if" 

there are two important things to remember concerning this verse. One,there is a distinction between being an heir of God and a fellow or joint heir with Christ.

There is a joint or double heirship in view here. The Greek guys say that a clearer Greek construction would be "on the one hand heirs....and on the other hand fellow heirs.....

If we believe, then we are children, if children,then heirs of God.But,in order to be a "fellow"or "joint" heir with Christ there is a second requirement beyond simple belief or faith.

We must suffer together with Him.The conditional nature of this co-heirship is tantamount to understanding the nature of the Bema.

This co-heirship, predicated on suffering, leads to co-glorification.As we shall soon see this co-glorificatiom will allow us to co-reign with Him.

Remember we are looking at the basis and purpose for the Bema.

Here is another one.

 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: 

                  If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 

            12       if we endure, we will also reign with him; 

                  if we deny him, he also will deny us; 

            13       if we are faithless, he remains faithful— 

for he cannot deny himself. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ti 2:10–13.

In v.11 Paul is describing a believing Christian who has died with Christ at the moment of belief or salvation.(see Romans 6:5)If they have died, they will also live with Him through His resurrection eternally.

 V.12 is the verse that is relevant for our study here."IF(caps mine)we endure...will also reign..."Here the condition of reigning with Jesus is endurance" Not sinlessness but faithfulness.This idea is all through the New Testament.One such example is Jesus'teaching on discipleship.Taking up our cross and following.

 

 Now,with these two verses we are co-heirs with Jesus and we will co-reign with Him.Remember the conditions.Suffering,endurance.Both human works.We are not working for eternal life, but for reward in His Kingdom.Very important to keep the distinction.

v.13 characterizes an unfaithful believer.It has nothing to do with one's eternal security..that would contradict v.11.

SCRIPTURE HAS NO INTERNAL CONTRADICTION.JESUS CHRIST THE LORD SAID THAT IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.IF ANYWHERE THE BIBLE SAYS THAT IF WE BELIEVE WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE... THAT CANT BE CONTRADICTED.THERE MUST BE A HARMONY AMONGST THE SCRIPTURES.EX.REPENTANCE,CONFESSION,OBEDIENCE CANNOT BE ADDED ON TO THE SIMPLE MESSAGE OF BELIEF.FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE.

The believer is secure even if he falls and stays fallen.Hopefully that will not be the case but faithfulness is not guaranteed.(see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 even Paul said it would be possible for him to be disqualified)

Now this denial will be a denial of the reward of co-reigning with Jesus.The Bema,I believe will be the apparatus for determining the faithfulness of every believer based on their faithfulness in life. BUT,the believer's eternal life is in no way threatened.Last clause says if we are unfaithful,He is faithful and cannot deny Himself.Actually the Scripture takes it a bit further with the word "faithless" not unfaithful.

Are you seeing a pattern here? While salvation is absolutely free,co-heirship,co-reigning is not.I will stop here. Next time we will get a little deeper when we see the claims that the Book of Hebrews makes.Here's a hint.Psalms 45:6-7 is quoted by the author of Hebrews in 1:8-9.Pay especial attention to the phrase "beyond your companions."

I will show in coming posts that the Bema will be public, with grief and sorrow; but, also with great joy.Some will shrink back in shame others will be overjoyed.

 The overshadowing purpose of this study for me, is not the possibility of great reward as a motivating force for living a life that is pleasing to the Father.That is important no doubt.But,my primary purpose is to hopefully show what the Gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ. So,often we are tempted to add to the simple message of faith alone.

I see it all the time.Telling people that thymus stop this or start that in order to stay out of hell.Usually there is is no resistance or opposition to the freeness of eternal life until we enter into those behaviors and lifestyles that are deemed heinous or perverted etc.,It is then that the "turn or burn" signs come out of the woodwork.Or the "you can't be a Christian unless....."

This study I believe will show that God will adjudicate our good and bad works, sins whatever at the Bema.But,I can absolutely assure you that there is absolutely nothing you must do, indeed there is nothing you CAN do to enter into God's presence of your own accord or merit.NOTHING!!!

Finally the end of my rant.If we as Christians did not have a "license to sin" we would be burnt to a crisp 5 minutes after we woke up in the morning.

I am over the "license to sin" argument.It is nothing more than human pride, first exhibited with he fig leaves in the garden. Trying to make ourselves presentable to The Holy God of all creation. 

He didn't accept it then... and He ain't accepting it now!Eternal life is free of charge, if it was not, wouldn't NONE of us make it.

All we must do is believe.  

God Bless

 The Two Judgments 

I was asked the other day about whether I thought a racist could get into heaven.The person who asked is a friend from work and my answer took him aback.

I said absolutely yes. I then explained my position that belief in the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life was all that was required to enter into the Kingdom of God.To have eternal life.(John 3:16,5:24,6:47,Ephesians 2:8-9)

He was not persuaded and we kind of drifted away for a while.His problem was my stance on sin and lifestyle.

I do not believe that the Bible teaches(in context of course) that sin as we usually think of sin, will exclude anyone from being born again, or acquiring eternal life or entering the Kingdom of God.

 SIN,as most of us define it, does not and will not exclude us from heaven.Although we are not going to be there(heaven) very long.(smile another post)

I felt that a look at the judgments of God that await humanity might provide a clearer picture on God's salvation.

In addition, I would hope that it would answer the recurring accusation that all I am doing is providing people with a "license to sin."Which,by the way, my friend from work stated that same accusation in our conversation.Let's take a look.

Three biblical judgments await humanity.

All three occur at the end of the Tribulation.One is for a specific people group(the Sheep and Goat Judgment in Matthew 25:31-46) which concerns survivors of the great tribulation and how they treated the Jewish people during the persecution of the tribulation.

Might want to think about where America is headed as it concerns antisemitism.

A second judgment, probably during the 75 day period between Jesus' second coming and the inauguration of the Millenial Kingdom.(Daniel 12 more on this later)

This judgment(2 Corinthians 3:10-15)is for believers only.It has been called The Judgment Seat of Christ.(Romans 14:10-12,2Coronthians 5:10) It is also known as The Bema Seat judgment.This is the focus of this particular post.

A third and last judgment occurs after the thousand year reign.(Revelation 20:11-15) This is commonly known as The Great White Throne Judgment or The Second Death.It will concern only unbelievers.

That said, let's look at the subject of our post today.

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 

14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 1 Co 3:10–15.

The first item of interest that we will notice in this judgment passage, is the absence of the word "sin." No mention of sin anywhere.

Oddly enough this word(sin)is absent from the other two judgments as well.Doesn't that seem odd? All three judgment passages, sheep and goats, believers, unbelievers and not ONE mention of the word sin.Fascinating.

So then Ronnie,what are we being judged or evaluated for? Glad you asked.Look at verses 13,14,15.Do you see the word

"work" anywhere.

This is a judgment of the believer's works.NOT of his or her SINS.And you thought that once you got to heaven your problems were over.(smile)

What is the purpose of this works judgment? Verse 14 gives us the answer."...if the work.....survives,he will receive a reward."Wow that is great Ronnie!!Yes it is! Unfortunately there is a verse 15."..IF......burned up, he will suffer loss. 

I am going to break this study up into parts and I will close this one momentarily.Before I do,I want to pose you a question to ponder until next time.Why is sin nowhere to be found? Why is sin not being judged in these judgments?

This is extremely important.You must answer this question to have an understanding of these judgments; and a clear picture of the just what the Gospel of Salvation is.

All three have eternal ramifications!WHERE IS THE JUDGMENT FOR OUR(YOURS AND MY)SINS? If our eternal destiny is based on our sin, forgiven and unforgiven, why are they totally out of sight in all three passages? Here is a hint.

Look at this.

 for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 16:7–11.

This is Jesus's famous Upper Room Discourse.In this part of the discourse Jesus is explaining the work of 

the Holy Spirit when He is sent to earth.He convicts the unbelieving world-(humanity in rebellion and opposition to God through the rejection of Jesus) of three things.

For purposes of our study look at Jesus's definition of the sin that the Holy Spirit is convicting unbelievers of.

Vs.9 .."concerning sin because they do not believe in me...'

PONDER VERSE 9! Jesus said Scripture cannot contradict.There is no,NO internal contradiction of Scripture.Think about that.

What is the sin the world is being convicted of? Think about it.

So Ronnie when will this believers judgment take place?

What does it mean when it says "revealed by fire" "fire will test" "work is burned up...suffer loss"

What are the rewards? How long do they last? What will we lose?(suffer loss)

We will look at these in the nest post or posts.

All we must do is believe.

God Bless.

 "If you knew the gift..." 06-13-26                        

Introduction

"The Gospel of John was written to persuade people to believe in Jesus" 

The Purpose of This Book

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 20:30–31.

I copied and pasted the first sentence of the "Introduction to the Gospel of John" from the ESV version of the Bible on the Logos software platform. That sentence, in essence covers the content of my entire post.The purpose of John is to tell people how to be born again.

Look at these Scriptures.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

 Jn 3:16.

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 

 Jn 5:24.

47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life

 Jn 6:47.

 

 Do you see a trend here? The Apostle John uses the word "Believe" 53 times in His Gospel."Believed" is used 27 times,"Believes"is used 15 times.Finally"Believing" is used twice.

 

 I believe the Apostle is trying to tell us something here.What's that Ronnie? Just this.The way to be born again,the way to go to heaven, the way to get saved(does that cover all the ways we put it? lol.The actual legal term is to be justified.That's another post. )The way to ETERNAL LIFE is to believe.That's it! Simply to believe.... BELIEVE!

 

 Ronnie,that's too easy.That's not enough.We have to do more.IT CAN'T BE THAT EASY! The terms used to express those arguments are"easy believism""cheap grace""license to sin"etc.,etc., 

 

 My response to those arguments is simple.As one preacher put it,"it is so simple a five year old can understand it."God had to make it EASY for us or none of us would have made it! (smile)

 

 Listen,in this post I only have one technical concept to offer.Hear me out please.Look at this.

 

 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

 Jn 10:35.

 

 When Jesus spoke those words,"and Scripture cannot be broken,"He was saying something about the nature of Scripture.Jesus was saying that Scripture was infallible.It cannot be altered.There is no internal conflict or contradiction.

 

 So,without diving in, we can conclude one truth.Scripture does not contradict itself.You ever hear someone say that? Me too.lol

 

 Listen VERY carefully.If the Scripture says "...whoever believes has eternal life" that Scripture can not be altered, nor will it contradict itself.There will be a harmony.

 So,when you come across a Scripture that appears to say something else(and you will)what do you do? That also is another post. 

 

Let's move on.

 

Have you ever thought about what it means to "believe in Jesus?"

We say it all the time."Ya gotta believe" 

Well,just WHAT do you have to believe?

 

Here is my take on that.

When you look up what is it that you see? If you said "the sky" you are absolutely right!Why do you believe that? My bet is that one day long ago,you asked mommy or daddy what was that up there? And they told you that it was the sky.Now,today whenever you look up,you are looking at the sky.You have been persuaded that what you were told is true.You have head knowledge.Same thing with the clouds, sun, moon, stars etc.,etc.

You are convinced those entities are exactly what you have been told.Those are the FACTS.The sun is that yellow, hot ball.The moon is the cool ball in the night sky.The stars are the barely visible lights in the same night sky.The clouds are those white fluffy things or dark menacing things that are in the space that we call the sky. You are persuaded that those observations are true.Those are the FACTS.You have head knowledge.

You are simply persuaded those observations are true. THAT, dear reader,is the essence of Biblical belief.

Now that we know WHAT belief is, and we know WHO we have to believe in.... just WHAT is it that we have to believe? What is the content of our faith?

  

Let's take a look.In the fourth chapter of John,the Lord Jesus makes a statement to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. Look at this.

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

Jn 4:10.

Then Jesus said this.

13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Jn 4:13–14.

Finally,the clincher.

25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” 

 Jn 4:25–26.

Jesus said "if you knew the gift of God...?"

 

What is the "gift of God?" In John 4 Jesus describes it as "living water." As we read the Gospel further,Jesus will give us a fuller explanation of the gift. Look at this.

21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Jn 11:20–27.

 

In this conversation with Martha,Jesus elaborates on the conversation with the Samaritan woman.

 

In chapter 4,at the very end,Jesus declared to the Samaritan woman that He was the Messiah(4:25-26)

 

Here with Martha He declares that He is the resurrection and the life.He goes further and says that whoever believes this will never die.Even if someone dies they will live.He then says that He is that life.He has life in Him(John Chapter 1)and whoever believes this promise of eternal life has eternal life.(Chapter 3)

After explaining this to Martha,He asks her a question."DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?" Martha's answer is instructive.She basically quotes 20:31(the purpose statement of John's Gospel) before the Apostle wrote it.Compare her reply(11:27) with the purpose statement of the Book.(20:31)

 

Listen folks the saving message has not changed since the Garden of Eden.Old Testament saints got saved the same way New Testament saints did and still do get saved.Grace alone through faith alone.It hasn't changed.

 

The only thing that changed is the content of their faith.What Old Testament saints had to believe was different from what we, as New Testament saints have to believe. Jesus wasn't walking around in Old Testament Israel. They didn't know about Jesus.The content of their faith was different. But,BUT,salvation was still by faith.All they had to do was believe.

 

 6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 

Ge 15:6.

This verse spoken to Abraham declared Abraham righteous.This was the moment that Abraham"got saved."What did Abraham "do" to get saved? BELIEVE.

Dwight Pentecost says that this verse above is the most important verse in the Bible.

Lots more to say but will stop here.

All we must do is believe.

God Bless.