The Judgment Seat of Christ: Groundwork

One of the most important, if not the most important event in the future of every believer is an event referred to in the Bible as “the judgment seat of Christ.”  The actual phrase is used only twice in scripture (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10).  A detailed description of the event is found in 1 Corinthians 3.  And as we will see as we study this topic in a series of posts throughout the coming weeks, there are many passages that deal with the various aspects of this final judgment for believers. 

Before we jump into the scripture in search of truth regarding the day when our works as Christians will be judged by the Lord, it is necessary to lay some groundwork. 

Spiritually Fat

A little personal testimony by way of introduction.  Since I married Lauren almost 6 years ago (Proverbs 18:22), I’ve put on about 20 pounds...roughly 10 pounds during each of Lauren’s pregnancies.  She gained a lot more than I did during those 9 month periods, but the difference was that she would lose the weight she had gained after the babies were born.

What has happened to me – and I know many can identify with this – is that there came a time after I got married when I stopped eating like a single Bible college student (out of necessity), and I started eating like a married man whose wife can cook (for pleasure and enjoyment).

Now, I realize (and am being kindly reminded by my wife) that I need to do something about my physical condition before it gets out of hand and becomes a lot harder to reverse, because being physically fat is – let’s say this nicely – really not desirable or beneficial in any way.

Spiritually speaking, though, it’s a different situation.  None of us really want our bodies to be fat.  But there are some Bible verses that indicate it’d actually be a good thing for our souls to be fat. 

The Great Digression

A little bit of history to set the backdrop.  When God gave His law to the nation of Israel – which the nation agreed to keep (Exodus 19:8; 24:3-7; Deuteronomy 5:27) – the consequences for obedience and disobedience to that law were clearly laid out.  Obedience would result in the blessings of safety, peace, and prosperity.  Disobedience would result in famine, sickness, oppression, war, and eventual removal from the land of promise (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). 

As you know, the history of Israel is one of disobedience, rebellion, and idolatry.  And what God said would happen, did.  In 2 Kings 17 (about 722 BC), the ten northern tribes of Israel were carried into captivity by the Assyrians. 

The chapter not only records the final deportation, it summarizes the reasons why it came to this.  And it is a very marked digression.  Sadly, it’s also one that looks mighty familiar.  Let’s take a look…