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