THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. -2 Corinthians 5:10

There will come a day when our lives will come full circle; a day when all that we’ve done will be laid before us and God. In that day we’ll have to answer for what we did in this life, whether it was good or bad. Many of us cringe at this idea, wondering how we’ll respond. If left to our own devices, even our best excuse for wrongdoing in our lives won't justify the evil we committed in this life. No amount of blame-shifting can excuse you once your deeds are exposed for all to see. "But!" many may shout, "I'm a good person! I'm not like those evildoers who steal, kill, or destroy!" Scripture testifies against you:

"...we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, "There is no one righteous, not even one..." - Romans 3:9-10

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." - Romans 3:23

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." - James 2:10

We have no excuse that can save us from the penalties due to us. No amount of our own good works can make up for the cost of breaking God's law. We only have one way to redemption: accepting the righteousness of Christ, who was blameless, by placing our faith in Him. Although we will continually fall utter short of the glory God has called us to live in, we are redeemed from our shame by Christ.

CONFESSION OF SIN VS CONFESSION OF FAITH

When we confess our sins, God completely washes us white as snow. I've heard stories from people who were raised under the teaching that if you didn't confess your sins immediately and you died, you would go to Hell. It's important that we understand the role of confessing our sins, versus a confession of faith in Christ. We believe the former serves to purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), and be healed (James 5:16).

While we are to confess our sins, we are also to seek the conviction of the Holy Spirit as we put to death the old nature. However, our salvation is not dependent upon our ability to recognize and subsequently confess sin; otherwise it would be a work that we could boast about. Salvation comes through confession of faith in the saving grace of Jesus, and by that grace alone (Ephesians 3:8-9). This distinction is important; otherwise it becomes easy to believe that something we do can somehow separate us from the love of God.

CONFIDENCE

Now that we understand our redemption in Christ, we know that he is the good shepherd. He leaves the 99 to find the 1. This loving and gracious savior is the same one that we will stand before in heaven. The mood will no doubt be tense, but we have nothing to fear before the loving arms of our good shepherd.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrews 4:16

If you consider it, Hebrews 4:16 presents a backwards view of God's throne. What was once The Judgment Seat has, through the work of Christ, become a "throne of grace" we can approach in confidence. How are we able to enter such a holy place and not be condemned? The judgement seat is God's great divider, his test, by which he will separate the righteous and the unrighteous. Through the work of Christ, God has given us the answers to the final ahead of time. Proclaiming the work of Christ more than accounts for all the wrong we have done or ever will do.

Day 61 Application

What does it mean for you to understand that Christ is your redeemer?

How should we who have been redeemed approach the judgement seat of Christ?

What might be a way for you to worship God uniquely? How can you worship him in the mundane things?

Have you been in contact with your accountability partner such that you were asked tough questions about purity? Since the last lesson, how have you been with maintaining your sexual purity?