The doctrine of the Judgment-Seat of Christ may well be the most neglected doctrine in the church today. Yet it is presented in Scripture as the greatest motivation for a believer to live a holy life [2 Cor. 5:10-11, I Pet. 1: 13-21]. It also provides a beautiful balance between the believer’s justification, which is by grace through faith not by works [Eph. 2:8-9] and the believer’s sanctification, which involves faithfulness and obedience and good works [Eph. 2:10]. Failure to observe this Biblical balance has brought tremendous confusion throughout the centuries.

WHY IS IT OFTEN CALLED THE BEMA?

The concept of the Bema comes from the ancient Olympics, where a judge would sit on the Bema seat at the finishing line.
The purpose of the judge sitting on this seat and at this position was to determine the competitors position First, Second and so on. Then he would give out the appropriate awards. This is the figure behind what has become known as the Bema seat.
If we can keep this picture in mind it will help us to understand this subject more clearly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE JUDGMENT SEAT [BEMA]

It is called the Judgment Seat of Christ in 2 Cor. 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

THE TIME OF THE JUDGMENT SEAT

At the first Resurrection Luke 14:13, 14. “But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame,

the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at

the resurrection of the just. “

This resurrection takes place at the Rapture 1 Thess. 2:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with

a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

WHO WILL BE JUDGED AT THE BEMA?

Only believers will be judged at this judgment. In “ Cor, 5 the pronoun “we” is used 26 times and in each instant it refers only to believers.

WHAT IS BEING JUDGED AT THE BEMA?

The judgment is not a trial to decide the fate of the saved or unsaved.

The Bible is very plain John 3:16-18 that salvation is not the issue. That issue is settled in life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. “

The believer is being judged for his works. The returning Lord examines the servants in the use of one, two or five talents that He entrusted to His servants.
Sins committed before conversion will not be judged. Heb. 10: 17 “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more”.
The believers sins committed after conversion will not be judged at the Bema 1 John 1:9 confessed sin is forgiven and cleansed forever.

1. Our works will be judged. 1Cor. 3:13 “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.”

2. Our words Matt 12:36,37. “..... I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

3. Our thoughts Matt 15:19,20 “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries ,fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man”
4. Our secrets Rom. 2:16 “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
5. Our motives a/ Correct Constrained by His love 2 Cor. 5:14, 15 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. “
b/ Wrong Self glory 1 Cor. 3:20, 21 “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men.”

HOW WILL GOD JUDGE AT THE BEMA?

The test will be by fire. 1 Cor 3:13 “ Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is”
This will be a fair, impartial public display of justice. No one will be able to say that God shows favouritism. Gal. 6:7,8. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF THE BEMA?

For the works that remain there will be rewards. For that which is burned the individual will suffer loss 1 Cor. 3:15. “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

The Bible does not tell us what that loss will be. However If the reward is a crown, the loss of a reward or loss of a crown will bring shame for that person will not have a crown to lay at the feet of Jesus Christ.
Building Materials are of two classes.
Fireproof - Gold Silver, Precious stones.
Combustible - Wood ,hay, stubble
What works are represented by fireproof materials.
1. Righteousness, a clean and pure life in the sight of God.
2. Honesty not only before men but before God.
3. A life of faith, Faith in God, Christ, and the Bible.
4. Love, True love. 1 Cor. 13 love love to God and to man.

5. Patience 2 Pet. 1:6 A highly praised and desirable virtue. Add “to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; “

6. Meekness and Humility. Matt. 11: 28,29. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls”. Moulded and fashioned like the Saviour,
7 Peaceful Matt. 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God”. 2 Tim. 2:22 follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace,”
8. Faithful

What works are represented by combustible material?
1. All forms of wickedness
2. Cheating, craft, bribery, so common on earth but hateful to the lord.
3. All forms of dishonesty will quickly be burned.
4. Yielding to youthful lusts 1 Tim. 6:9-11 2 Tim.2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
5. Good things done for the wrong or selfish motive.
6. Pride is perhaps the most reprehensible sin in the sight of God.
7. What talents that have been used for self benefits will crumble is the flame.

THE REASON FOR THIS JUDGMENT

To enable us to receive rewards and show our gratitude as we lay our Crown as in worship at the feet of the One who gave His

all for us and wore the crown of thorns at Calvary’s Cross. Rev. 4:4 “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. “

Rev 4:10,11. “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

SOME OF THE CROWNS WE CAN RECEIVE AT THE BEMA,

An incorruptible Crown for faithfully running the Christian race. 1 Cor 9:24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

A Crown of righteousness to those who look for and love His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

A Crown of life for all those who overcome temptation because they love the Lord Jesus. Jam 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

A Cown of glory for elders who feed, care and protect the sheep. 1 Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

A martyrs Crown for those who give their life for the Lord. Rev. 2:10 “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life”.

The Crown of our rejoicing, the crown - he is rejoicing at the fact that some of these souls in Thessalonica will be there at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ - why? Because he led them to Jesus Christ. The soul winner's crown 1 Thess 2:19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?".

HOW THEN CAN I PREPARE MYSELF TO MEET GOD AT THE BEMA?
By Constant Communion with my Saviour Jesus Christ.
By Constant Confession of my sins. [No need to confess the sin twice God forgives after the first honest confession.
By much Prayer and Meditation on Word of God.
By constant attention to the moving of the Holy Spirit.

By having a conscience void of offence before God and men Acts 24:16. “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”

TO CONCLUDE

the Bema should hold no terrors for the child of God. It really should be the best day a child of God has ever had.

It will a crowning day! 1 Cor. 4:5 “then shall every man have praise of God”. Much of our works may be burned

but we will have something to praise God for.

What exactly will be "judged" at the Bema seat for Christians?

How we treat other believers (Heb. 6:10, Matt. 10:41-42).

How we exercise our authority over others (Heb. 13:17, Jas. 3:1).

How we employ our God-given abilities (1 Cor. 12: 4, 12, 2 Tim. 1:6, 1 Pet. 4:10). Add to these Scriptures Jesus' teaching of the parables of the ten pounds (Lk. 19: 11-26) and the talents (Matt. 25:14-29). Each believer has at least one talent (1 Cor. 7:12, Eph. 4:7, 1 Pet. 4:10). There are at least 18 of these gifts (Rom. 12, 1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4). It's up to each believer to find / discern his or her gifts.

How we use our money (1 Cor. 60:2, 2 Cor. 9:6-7, 1 Tim. 6:17-19).

How we spend our time (Psa. 90:12, Eph. 5:16, Col. 4:5, 1 Pet. 1:17).

How much we suffer for Jesus (Matt. 5:11-12, Mk. 10:29-30, Rom. 8:18, 2 Cor. 4:17, 1 Pet. 4:12-13).

How we run that particular race God has chosen for us (1 Cor. 9:24, Phil. 2:16, 3:13-14, Heb. 12:1).

How effectively we control the old nature (1 Cor. 9:25-27, 2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Cor. 16:3, Phil. 1:10, 1 Thess. 2:4).

How many souls we witness to and win to Christ (Prov. 11:30, Dan. 12:3, 1 Thess. 2:19-20).

How we react to temptation (Jas. 1:2-3, Rev. 3:10).

How much the doctrine of the rapture means to us (2 Tim. 4:88).

How faithful we are to the Word of God and the flock of God (Acts 20:26-28, 2 Tim. 4:1-2, 1 Peter 5:2-4).