The Bema Seat - the Trial by Fire

‘Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire’ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

‘The "Bema seat" was an elevated seat located in Corinth. At this seat in the square, Roman magistrates would sit and administer justice. Athletes may also have appeared here and received rewards for having distinguished themselves. In other words, the king sat in the Bema Seat at the stadium in Corinth to present the winning athletes their crowns, judging them victorious. So it is with the judgment of Christians. It’s more like an awards ceremony for the Christian. Since we aren’t saved by our works, but by our faith, this judgment is not related to salvation, but to the things the Christian has done since becoming saved that have furthered the work of the Kingdom. The “race we’ve run,” so to speak’ (Jeff Jenkins). Unlike the Great White throne judgment which will be after the millennium for unbelievers from all dispensations from Adam to the end of human history (Rev 20:11-15), the Bema seat or Judgment seat of Christ will be in heaven for only Born again Church Age believers, during the period between the rapture and the second advent (Luke 14:14, 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Oh!! the Bema seat; where all hidden things will be revealed whether secret sins or secret labor for the Lord, for we will all stand before Christ the omnipotent and omniscient judge of the whole earth. All Christians, whether Apostles or  children's Bible lesson teachers, whether rich or poor will be rewarded for their works. Christ labored and laid the foundation of the church with His life and He will judge all Christians for what they also did after their salvation. Believers will be judged concerning doctrines (Rom 2:14-16), conduct to others (Mt 18, Rom 14), Carnal traits (Col 3, Rom 1-2, 8:1-13, 14:1-23), words (Mat 12:32-37, Rom 14). We will also be judged concerning our works, things that affect others like; slander, quarrels, broken promises etc (Gal 5:19-21). Things that affected us like; neglected opportunities, talents wasted and lack of spirituality (Heb 2:1-4, Rom 214-16). Also Christians will be judged concerning things that affected God; refusal to walk in the light, disobedience and failure to cooperate and yield to the spirit - Eph 41-32, 1 Cor 12 (Finis `Dake).

Today many Christians hide behind the fact that we are in the Dispensation of Grace to live their lives anyhow. However, the fact that we will give an account at the Bema seat should cause every believer to be diligent and laborious. This judgment is going to be so detailed that, ‘everyone will have to give account for every empty word they have spoken’ (Mat 12:33-37). Our motives for doing what we did in the kingdom will be revealed, those that did it for the praise of men will have already received that reward on earth, but those that genuinely served God and man with love will be crowned. For sure there will be a lot of surprises. That unnoticed, faithful and sincere intercessor will receive crowns for his faithfulness, whereas the unfaithful preacher who preached to millions without faithfulness and for the wrong motives will ‘suffer loss’. 

Some Christians sometimes fall into sin and do not repent, confess and ask God for forgiveness. It is said that any ‘unrepented’ and ‘unconfessed’ sin is still written in the books of heaven. Jesus taught that, when we pray we should say forgive us of our trespasses. 1 John 3:8, 9 also teaches that ‘The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God’. So clearly the child of God does not continue to sin, but when he falls into sin he quickly repents as a result of his love for God and rises up to continue his journey.

For the joy set before him, Christ endure the cross, may you endure your cross today and be assured that your work done for God and man has an eternal reward (Heb 12:1, 2).  Are there any unrepented’ and ‘unconfessed’ sins in your life? God knows them all, repent and ask Him for forgiveness today, He will forgive and cleanse you. See you in heaven.