We will get ours
Last time, we found that God has set a time and place to dispense justice among those who do not believe in Jesus for eternal life. But what about us Christians? Are we free to do whatever we want because we know we’re going to Heaven? Are there any consequences for Christians who wrong others or do terrible things?
To find our answers, we’re actually going to step into the middle of a section in Scripture where the Apostle Paul is reprimanding the church in the city of Corinth. These Corinthian believers were dividing themselves based upon which teacher they preferred to listen to – the lines were primarily drawn around the teachings of Paul, Peter, and Apollos. As you can imagine, these divisions were causing significant stress among the congregation. However, it is during Paul’s rebuke that we also find him talking about what happens to Christ-followers who waste their time or do harm to others. As you read this, remember we’re dropping into the middle of Paul’s rebuke – but we’re looking for consequences that believers can experience:
1 Corinthians 3:5-11
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are united in purpose, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.
Obviously, Paul is talking to the believers in Corinth. Those who believe in Jesus for eternal life are the only group that has a foundation of Jesus Christ. With this understanding, take a look at what Paul says next:
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.
If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved – but only as through fire.
Paul’s warning to the believers in Corinth is quite clear – now that your foundation is in Jesus Christ, be careful what you build and what you build with. After we believe in Jesus for eternal life, we’re not done…it’s just the beginning. While we will not come under judgment for our eternal destiny (like those at the Great White Throne judgment), everything we do in this life will be evaluated by Jesus. Both the good – which receives a reward – and the bad – which will cause us to experience loss.
In another letter to these same believers, Paul had this to say:
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Again, Paul stresses that both our good actions and our selfish, evil actions will be brought into account by the One who knows it all and can perfectly evaluate every situation.
There is a phrase that Paul uses that may seem odd to us, but ‘the judgment seat of Christ’ was a description the Corinthian believers would have understood immediately. In his book, Final Destiny: The Future Reign of the Servant Kings, Joseph Dillow describes it this way:
Travelers to the archaeological excavations of the city of Corinth have seen the famous judgment seat in the town square…The judgment seat (Greek: bema) in Corinth was a large, richly decorated rostrum, centrally located in the marketplace. It was the place where rewards were given out for victory at the Isthmian athletic games. These rewards consisted of garlands, trophies, crowns, and special social benefits, such as exemption from income tax. But punishments were also administered here as well.
One day, all Christians will have to give an account of their lives – how we spent our time, how we spent our talents, and how we spent our treasure. Were we selfish or generous? Did we commit crimes or acts of love? Our actions, our faithfulness, our words, and our inmost thoughts will be on full display…and Jesus will justly evaluate us, His servants.
Our eternal destiny is settled – Jesus has promised eternal life to those who believe in Him. However, based upon our foundation in Jesus Christ, how we live now will directly impact our opportunities to serve and participate with Jesus in Eternity Future.
Knowing this, how will you approach today?
Keep Pressing,
Ken