Christ's Judgment Seat

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

2 Corinthians 5:10

Today at Calvary Chapel Sydney I mentioned how the dead will be raised to appear at the Great White Throne judgment to be judged according to their works.  Those who names are written in the Book of Life will appear before the judgment seat of Christ.  Knowledge Christians will be judged by Christ provokes us to consider what this will involve.  The fact Paul wrote this to believers leads me to believe this is a subject people do not know much about, and frankly there isn't a great amount of detail provided.  At times people have been keen to offer their opinions on what this judgment entails, yet the little God has plainly said is infinitely superior to man's ideas.

When we speak of final judgment and the eternal state, there is much we do not and cannot know.  Based on what the Bible teaches us and has revealed to us, there are some suggestions we can soundly reject.  The most common is at the judgment seat of Christ we will be confronted with all our sins, that God will pick our lives apart (publicly, of course!) by rehearsing our transgressions.  Nothing could be further from the truth, for Jesus has already atoned for all our sins, cleansed us entirely and imputed Christ's righteousness to us.  The judgment seat of Christ is not for the dead (spiritually) but those who have been born again and granted eternal life by faith in Jesus.  It is a judgment where we receive rewards or possibly suffer loss.  2 John 1:8 says to believers, "Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward."  No rewards God gives could ever be earned by our merits:  they are only received by God's grace.

Having received Jesus Christ as Saviour, each believer is called to wisely build on this foundation--hearing and obeying the words of Jesus.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15:  "Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, 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."  People who build a house in an area prone to fire will select materials suitable to resist and endure fire.  In a similar manner, all who realise our lives will be judged by Christ's fiery gaze ought to live in the way we know pleases Him.  Jesus freely supplies enduring building materials the Holy Spirit produces in our lives.  Proverbs 14:1 says, "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands."  The wise build on a solid foundation, and the foolish rely on themselves or things of this world that cannot endure.

In a parable Jesus told, a master gave talents to his servants according to their ability, left on a long journey, and then settled accounts with each of them upon his return.  Consideration of this raises a question in the light of the judgment Christians will face:  have we wisely invested the life, resources and gifts God has given us for His sake?  Have we laboured to be fruitful with God's things or have we sought to serve ourselves?  Jesus said in Matthew 25:20-21:  "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' ²¹ His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"  The master in the parable commended his faithful servant upon his return, and Jesus will commend all His servants who serve Him faithfully.  The servant viewed all the talents as being his master's, and we serve Christ faithfully when we acknowledge our lives are God's and we are not our own because we have been bought with a price--the precious blood of Jesus.

We can have all confidence in view of standing before the judgment seat of Christ because of all Jesus has accomplished for us through the Gospel.  Having been born again and forgiven by Jesus, we know we are accepted in the beloved and are citizens in the kingdom of God.  If our confidence is ever in our ability to be faithful or to impress God with our efforts, this is confidence horribly misplaced.  All confidence must always be completely in God, knowing when we are found faithful it is His doing for He has given us His Holy Spirit to help, guide and comfort us.  To God's people who will stand before Him and be judged, Jesus commanded humble, faithful obedience in Luke 17:10:  "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"  Any good that arises from our efforts is all God's doing, and we ought to do good because our Saviour has commanded us and provided an example.  Those who fear and trust God ought not to fear future judgment, for God's perfect love casts out all fear.

Praise the LORD Jesus

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"

Psalm 150:6

If we had the capability of observing people approach God through prayer in turn, I wonder what patterns or themes would emerge.  I suspect the main thing would be people asking God for help, blessings or to do something.  This is fitting, for who has more power, authority, influence and ability to help that God?  People who do not believe in God will make requests out of sheer desperation:  what do they have to lose?  When people acquire sums of money, others can feel entitled to a portion of it because of their relationship.  As there are ungrateful brats who expect and demand money from their parents, it is likely God has children that resemble them.  James said Christians sometimes have not because we ask God amiss, seeking His resources to gratify our lusts.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with seeking God and making our requests known to Him, for He invites us to approach Him in faith and ask, knowing He is aware of our needs even before we submit a formal request.  But when all we do is ask Him for things without acknowledgement of what He has already done or given, are forgetful of all the times He has blessed us without even asking, I  am convinced He notices this.  There is an example of this after Jesus healed the 10 lepers and only one thought to return to Jesus, glorified God and thanked Him (and it happened to be a Samaritan, a foreigner!).  Jesus said in Luke 17:17-18, "So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? ¹⁸ Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"  Jesus asking, "But where are the nine?" rings in my ears because I know I have been numbered among those who happily went their way after God answered and never took time to thank Him.  And then before long I was back again, asking God for other things without glorifying or thanking Him for the miracles He already wrought in my life.

This is one reason praise to God is absolute sweetness to the LORD as well as our souls.  When we give praise to God, it is a free gift of gratitude, thanksgiving and glory to God because of who He is and what He has done without asking for anything in return--a gift untainted by selfishness or angling for additional benefits.  It warms our souls to give a valuable gift, and there is no greater gift we can give our LORD as sincere praise from a heart who loves and delights in Him, who meditates on His word, credits Him with awesomeness and praises Him simply because He is worthy.  Genuine praise of God is not to flatter Him so we might find favour with Him but due to the favour He has already freely given us.  Praising God by faith in Him when we are content in Him alone is a treasured (and likely rare) gift God's people are equipped by the Holy Spirit to offer Him in abundance.

Times of corporate worship are a joyful occasion at a church service, for it is wonderful to join together with recipients of God's grace, singing and praising God with our whole hearts.  Our contentment is not to hinge on the song selection, the quality of the musicians or sings, but in the LORD whose word commands:  "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!"  It is no wonder we are blessed beyond measure in simply praising and thanking God, for Jesus said to the cleansed Samaritan leper in Luke 17:19:  "...Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."  Having his request granted to be cleansed of leprosy did not bring wholeness to the man:  it was faith in Jesus and glorifying Him as God that brought spiritual cleansing the nine did not necessarily experience.  Rather than using our breath to complain or only make requests of God, let us praise Him.  Praise the LORD!

Fair, Just and Right

"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?"

Ezekiel 18:25

Through the prophet Ezekiel, God addressed the accusations of His people against Him that He was not fair when they were the ones being unfair.  In other translations "fair" is rendered equal, just and right.  As is always the case, man's sense of justice and righteousness who criticised God was skewed by his own sinfulness, bias and self-serving agenda.  God is perfectly fair, and He is also merciful, gracious, loving and compassionate.  His heart is not inclined to destroy people but to save them.  Yet if rebellious people are hellbent on destroying themselves and refuse His offer of forgiveness and salvation, He will let them have their way.  Everyone receives the opportunity to make the decision if they will submit to what God says is right or stubbornly affirm their own way is right.

God laid the function of justice according to His Law in Ezekiel 18:26-30 to draw sinners to Himself as giver of life:  "When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. ²⁷ Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. ²⁸ Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. ²⁹ Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? ³⁰ "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin."  The Law of Moses judges a man according to his merit in every circumstance and not on his reputation or track record.  A man does not avoid punishment when he has killed a man because he had not killed anyone for 30 years.  Iniquity has been committed and prior good behaviour does not exonerate him from being held accountable for his crime.

On the flip side, one who had been thieving and extorting money for years, should he freely confess his guilt and repay all he stole with interest as the Law demands, such would not face the penalty of theft.  The one who considered and turned away from all his transgressions with repentance would not be incarcerated or executed.  He was deemed free of sin and free to go.  The children of Israel thought this was unjust of God when He is only fair, just and right.  I find it ironic God is righteous and His Law is very effective to reveal our sinfulness, yet man's inclination is to try to find fault with God and justify himself when only God can justify us.  Our natural hearts are so bent and corrupted by sin the existence of God's Laws actually stir us to transgress them.

Apart from God, iniquity would have been all our ruin.  But thanks be to our righteous God who has revealed Himself and provided a way of forgiveness and righteousness, for salvation and deliverance is not found by efforts to keep the Law, but by righteousness imputed by faith in Jesus Christ.  Though the Law of Moses holds forth a righteous standard, it gives us no strength or ability to keep it.  Trying to justify ourselves by the Law can only condemn us, yet the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.  Anyone who demands justice will receive it, and those who appeal to their good works cannot justify themselves and remain condemned for every infraction.  But those who admit they are sinners and repent, trusting in Jesus who atoned for the sins of the world, He will justify, sanctify and glorify according to His promise.  How good it is God is just and gracious, merciful and righteous.

God has extended the offer of a relationship with Him as a father to a beloved son or daughter--not a transactional relationship according to our demands to have our way.  It is by faith in Jesus we become children of God and receive the blessings and benefits spoken of in Psalm 103:10-14 and other places in the Bible:  "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him."  Praise God He is faithful, trustworthy and cares for us, perfect in all His ways.

Repentance Not Regretted

When people are guilty of having done wrong, those who have been wronged or are tasked with administering justice often look for signs of contrition in the guilty.  Judges pronouncing sentence upon a convicted felon and children alike look with discerning eye to judge the sincerity of others to see if they recognise their guilt.  We can reject apologies given by people who do not sound sorry at all.  What this can lead to is the development of the hypocritical skill of sounding or appearing "sorry" that is not indicative of our hearts.  As children we learn looking and acting sorry can be the required currency to be exchanged to sweep our transgressions away, and it is a small price to pay.  Others feel guilty for doing wrong but are too proud to admit it.  Rather than humble contrition when confronted, they can become agitated and angry, offended anyone would suggest they are worthy of blame.

It is remarkable how different people respond to correction and how our feelings and thoughts impact our reactions to the same event.  Correcting one person humiliates them and they want to hide, and another is glad to be set right and shakes hands gladly.  After their sins are exposed one person is carefree to the point you wonder if they understand plain words, and another is so wracked with guilt they visibly weep.  A passage I read this morning reminded me of Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes, that to everything there is a season and for every purpose under heaven.  There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.  Jesus explained it was the appropriate time to celebrate and feast when the bridegroom was present--not a time for fasting.  There is a time and season for feasting as well as fasting, and nature as well as scripture teach us it is God who determines what season it is.  Whenever we have sinned it is the season for repentance, and like summer brings heat repentance results in rejoicing.

In Nehemiah 8, Ezra the priest and scribe along with Nehemiah and other leaders in Israel, gathered the people together to read and teach from the Law of Moses.  As the people stood and heard the words of God explained to them, their understanding of the Law prompted them to weep because they realised their sin before their holy God.  Nehemiah 8:9-12 says, "And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." ¹¹ So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." ¹² And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them."  It was good the people sorrowed over their sin, but the Levites explained the people were not to remain perpetually sorrowful:  they were called to rejoice, feast and bless one another with good things.  Sorrow and feelings of guilt were not God's demand upon His people but that repentance for past sins lead to joyful obedience presently.

Isn't this a good exhortation for God's people today?  What would it have benefitted God's people to lament their previous ignorance of God's Law and wallow in shame as those without hope, to fast when commanded to feast?  Should they mourn perpetually their disobedience to God or how miserly they had been toward one another when God called them to obey God with rejoicing and giving that very day?  Sorrow for sin does not constitute repentance as Paul wrote to believers in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10:  "Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."  Being made sorry in a godly manner leads to gain for it produces repentance leading to salvation that is never regretted.  True repentance frees us from the pangs of grief and sorrow that drag a soul down to hell, for Jesus has provided the atonement and salvation with His own blood.  In Christ regardless of our past sins we always have cause for rejoicing--and all by His grace.

Read God's Word

I read a couple of C.H. Spurgeon sermons today, and as usual, they were a rich spiritual feast.  What I found compelling and challenging was how he strongly called out professing believers who attended his church who did not regularly read the Bible.  Spurgeon had no quarrel with supposed freethinkers or those of a different perspective, but as a preacher of the Book he knew to be God's word said, "...There is never any necessity for Christian ministers to make a point of bringing forward infidel arguments in order to answer them.  It is the greatest folly in the world...Let men of the world learn error of themselves; do not let us be propagators of their falsehoods." (Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. Spurgeon’s Sermons: V. 1-2. Baker Books, 2004. page 27)

Spurgeon reserved his strongest rebukes in his sermon for professing, churchgoing Christians who were not in the regular practice of reading the Bible when it is God's word written to us.  He took aim at those who watered down the Word by trying to make it more palatable when it was intended to be unpalatable to our natural flesh.  Better than laying guilt on people to goad them to do what they ought to do, Spurgeon minced no words and at the same time shared how attractive, inspiring and remarkable God's word really is.  Toward the end of the message I enjoyed an especially delightful paragraph, and hope it will work up an appetite in you to read God's word like a hungry man who finally sits down to dinner.

"My friend, the philosopher, says it may be very well for me to urge people to read the Bible; but he thinks there are a great many sciences far more interesting and useful than theology.  Extremely obliged to you for your opinion, sir.  What science do you mean?  The science of dissecting beetles and arranging butterflies?  "No," you say, "certainly not."  The science, then, of arranging stones, and telling us of the strata of the earth?"  "No, not exactly that."  Which science, then?  "Oh, all the sciences," say you, "are better than the science of the Bible."  Ah! sir, that is your opinion; and it is because you are far from God, that you say so.  But the science of Jesus Christ is the most excellent of sciences.  Let no one turn away from the Bible because it is not a book of learning and wisdom.  It is.  Would you know astronomy?  It is here:  it tells you of the Sun of Righteousness and the Star of Bethlehem.  Would you know botany?  It is here:  it tells you of the plant of renown--the Lily of the Valley, and the Rose of Sharon.  Would you know geology and mineralogy?  You shall learn it here:  for you may read of the Rock of Ages, and the White Stone with the name engraven thereon, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.  Would ye study history?  Here is the most ancient of all the records of the history of the human race.  Whate'er your science is, come and bend o'er this book; your science is here.  Come and drink out of this fair fount of knowledge and wisdom, and ye shall find yourselves made wise unto salvation.  Wise and foolish, babes and men, gray-headed sires, youths and maidens--I speak to you, I plead with you, I beg of you respect your Bibles, and search them out, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Christ." (Ibid, pages 42-43)

THE Baby

While putting away Christmas decorations, I made a somewhat amusing and ridiculous observation on the box of a Nativity Set.  As far as I am aware, the term "Nativity" is commonly a reference to a very specific historical event:  the birth of Jesus Christ to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem.  The word according to Webster means, "birth, the coming into life or the world. The feast of Christmas is observed in memory of Christs nativity."  See if you can find the glaring omission in the packaging of the Nativity I placed on a shelf in the shed.

The package identified Joseph as 71.1cm tall, Mary as 68.6cm, and baby--not THE Baby or Baby Jesus or Jesus, but "baby" at an adorable 35.6cm long.  How bizarre and ironic it is for the figures to be measured to the millimetre yet for the identity of Jesus (the central Person and purpose of Christmas for Christians who would be the ones placing this Nativity Set in their yard to commemorate Christ's birth) to be omitted entirely.  Jesus was rejected by His own people (the Jews) after He grew to be a man, and it seems the manufacturer of this Nativity Set was ready to cash in on decorations for $49 of a Messiah they have no desire to honour by clear mention of His name.

It is good we believers refuse to stoop to this level, to be satisfied with forgiveness, salvation and the promise of eternal life from Jesus but live in such a manner His name rarely graces our lips in public or at family gatherings.  Our perspective and outlook ought to be shaped by the fact Jesus was not just a baby or a good man but the Redeemer and Saviour of the world:  Immanuel, God with us.  The prophet said truly in Isaiah 7:14:  "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."  Jesus coming to the world should not only be celebrated once a year, at church or among Christians, but when life is hard and even the thought of festivities feels depressing.  Into the darkness of the world and our hearts the Light of the World has shone bright, and may the LORD Jesus Christ shepherd us into perfect peace and fullness of joy continually.

Ready Labour

One thing I admire about Nehemiah is his willingness to lead from the front, to lead by example in service to the LORD even though he had no personal experience in building a wall or managing a construction site.  God put it in his heart to visit Jerusalem after hearing of the distressed and dilapidated state, and his connections to the king as cupbearer provided means and authority to oversee the construction of the wall by faith in God.  Nehemiah (as the book goes to show) would prove to be a skilled delegator, yet he did not ask others to do what God called him to do.  He entered into the same labours and suffered the same lack of comforts as labourers, loaders and builders endured though he was accustomed to the comforts of life in a palace.

Due to the real possibility of enemy attack, as people worked they either carried a weapon in one hand or had a sword girded on their thigh.  This readiness was undoubtedly a deterrent to potential enemies, for the workers did not present themselves as a disorganised, easy target:  they were determined, prepared and were willing to put their lives on the line, their resolve steeled to see the walls successfully built.  Nehemiah 4:17-18 reads, "Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. ¹⁸ Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me."

Notice Nehemiah did not watch at a distance alone in the shade of a tent with attendants waiting upon him, for he placed himself among the workers with an assistant who was tasked to sound the alarm with a trumpet.  He was in the thick of the action, conversing with workers and was on the pulse of how everything was going.  The construction site covered a large area, and the sound of the trumpet marked the mustering location to Nehemiah who would lead the people in their defence against their enemies.  I have no doubt this was Nehemiah's chosen arrangement, not because he was skilled in battle or military tactics, but due to faith in God who would be their defence and refuge, the living God who fights His people's battles.

There is a brand of Christian who embrace a soldier-mentality to a fault, neglecting other aspects of spiritual life that resemble faithful, obedient labour like gathering and stacking stones.  Loading carts and lifting rocks is not glamorous like defeating Goliath with sling and stone or being credited with slaying thousands of enemies like David.  It was dirty, heavy, taxing work with no triumph at the end; it was mundane labour without notoriety at a personal cost of time, sweat and blood.  The citizens of the kingdom of God are called to profitable labour for Christ's kingdom and to be ready to give a defence for the hope that is in us.  Our call is not to pick fights or lash out with the sword but to keep the Sword of the Spirit girded on our thigh as we labour in doing the LORD's will.  It does not appear the enemies of Nehemiah attacked once during the 52 days they faithfully worked outside during the day, but the workers were ready to defend at all times.  As children of the light and day, this illustration provides a good perspective how Christians are called to live.

Earnestly and Carefully

"After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest."

Nehemiah 3:20

In the section of Nehemiah that explains who repaired the wall and gates of Jerusalem and the specific areas each person or group worked on, the verse concerning Baruch stands out because it shows how he worked.  The rebuilding of the walls, gates and bars of Jerusalem was a huge group effort, and people took up tasks outside their normal field of expertise to collaborate to accomplish the building project in a relatively short time.  Baruch's earnestness to repair a section of the wall is a good illustration of the focus, diligence and dedication God's people ought to exercise in their service unto Him.

Webster defines "earnestly" as "warmly, zealously, importunately, eagerly, with real desire."  Of all the people who laboured on the wall, Baruch was the only one described as working earnestly.  The NKJV rendering of the same word is "carefully," and this provides a helpful clarification.  Earnestness does not mean a person works efficiently, for desire to accomplish a job speedily can result in haste, wasted effort and materials, and inferior results.  I remember a friend of mine was so zealous to use his new power saw in one day he cut through 3 power cords which required valuable time to repair and replace.  Working earnestly with care conveys diligence combined with accuracy.  Baruch sounds like a worker who was pleased and felt privileged to contribute in the work effort.

As there are people who want to do the least amount of work possible for the most pay, there is a person who puts off doing hard work as long as possible to do as little as possible.  This is unbecoming of a child of God who has been granted life, all resources, ability and opportunity to serve the LORD and one another faithfully.  Paul wrote to believing slaves in Colossians 3:22-24:  "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."  In building Baruch worked towards a completed wall that would provide security, protection and a clear vantage point, and in all we do the child of God is to fulfill our obligations to labour as doing it for God's sake.  In this way all our labours are sanctified with earnestness and sincerity of heart, knowing our reward is not only found in a job completed--but confidence in receiving the reward of the inheritance from Christ.

It is satisfying to see a job coming along well and finally complete, yet the reward of the inheritance Jesus gives is far better.  Jobs finished today will always require maintenance going forward, but what we receive as Christ's inheritance is infinitely greater and enduring.  Christians are promised an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance reserved for us in heaven (1 Peter 1:4), and the LORD is our inheritance as it is written in Psalm 16:5:  "O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you maintain my lot."  Rather than working to gain, we are to labour from the place of already having all things, being satisfied in Jesus Christ our Saviour who is our life.  No longer is our mindset to be, "What's in it for me?" or "What do I stand to gain?" but in confidence in our eternal inheritance we put our hands to the plow and our necks to the yoke for Jesus Christ is our portion we have already received and rejoice in.