The Judgement Seat of Christ
—2Corinthians 5
In this chapter (2Corinthians 5) Paul guided the Corinthians regarding where they stood spiritually on several counts. Paul especially cast their minds forward to their standing before 'the judgement seat of Christ' and we discuss what that meant.
1 In the Mortal Body
2Cor 5, verses 1-5
Paul assured the Corinthians that their fleshly bodies were only temporary tents. There was an eternal house, a spiritual body. This was not like an earthly house built by human hands, but a heavenly house built by God.
A house in heaven is far better than a tent on earth. An immortal body in heaven is far better than a fleshly body on earth. Paul also thought of it as a garment to clothe the spirit "that mortality may be swallowed up by life".
Paul said, "God has prepared us for this very thing". (He did not say, "God has prepared this very thing for us", although that also was true.)
As part of that preparation, God had given the Holy Spirit to the Corinthian Christians. Yet Paul did not limit that gift to them alone. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit was, and continues to be, God’s guarantee that immortal life will be granted to every Christian at the judgement (Acts 2:38-39, Romans 8:9-11).
2 Absent from the Lord
2Cor 5, verses 6-9
Paul reminded the Corinthians of three facts:
- (1), While they lived in tents of flesh in this world, they were absent from the Lord.
- (2), While absent from the Lord they walked by faith, not by sight. (They couldn't see the immortal realm, but could believe in it.)
- (3), They aimed to please the Lord while absent from him, before the judgement, just as they will when present with him beyond the judgement.
Being absent from the Lord meant that Jesus was in heaven and the Corinthians were on earth. The Holy Spirit, however was present with them and kept them connected to the Lord while they waited for the judgement.
3 At the judgement Seat
2Cor 5, verses 10-11
A judgement seat was where a magistrate sat to pass judgement. Paul uses "judgement seat" as a metaphor for the authority by which Jesus Christ will judge the world.
Some say there are two judgements: one where Christ will sit on his throne to judge the world, and another where he will sit on his judgement seat to disclose and evaluate the works of each Christian without condemnation.
Paul held that there will be only one judgement, with all mankind present to be judged. At that one event, there will be two bases for judgement and two different outcomes:
Some will have faith in Jesus and his works as the basis of their plea. Their names will be found written in the book of life.
Others will have themselves and their own works as the basis of their plea. They will be lacking faith in Jesus Christ, and so will be condemned.
Faith without works is dead. Works validate faith, so that it justifies (James 2).
Works without faith are as dead as faith without works. Those who commend themselves will not be recognised by Christ at the judgement.
Paul made some points about the judgement seat:
- Everyone must appear before the judgement seat of Christ.
- They will receive a just response to their deeds.
- They were warned about the terror of the Lord.
- They were well known to God if they were faithful to him.
- They knew people like Paul who set them a compelling example of how to prepare for the judgement.
4 Under a Worthy Ministry
2Cor 5, verses 12-13
Paul said that he was giving the Corinthians "an opportunity to boast on our behalf". He wanted them to be able to speak well of his ministry when opponents attacked it.
The Corinthian Christians could take pride in being under the ministry of Paul and his companions, who served from their hearts with integrity. They were not given to prestige and appearances.
There were some who judged that Paul and his companions were out of their minds. This mistook a zeal for God to be emotional instability. Others took Paul and his companions to be of sound mind and good for the church and the ministry, especially concerning the judgement.
5 Under Love’s Compulsion
2Cor 5, verses 14-15
The faithful Christians in Corinth were driven by Christ’s love for them. Paul reminded them that Christ died for everyone. That means all who will appear at his judgement seat to give account of themselves. They all died in their sins. They could have been reconciled to God and made alive again. Christ died and arose to make that possible. Compelled by his love, they will live for him by faith, and they will not be condemned at the judgement.
6 A New Creation in Christ
2Cor 5, verses 16-17
The Christians in Corinth may have been regarding people according to worldly rather than heavenly criteria. They may even have regarded Jesus Christ in earthly terms. But old things had passed away and a new way had come.
By this new way, the Corinthians were to assess people in spiritual terms. They were certainly to know Christ in that way. He had come in the flesh, but he ascended to glory. The Corinthian Christians were not yet beyond the judgement seat, but they were "a new creation" ready for their new heavenly body in the new eternal world, after the judgement.
7 At One with God
2Cor 5, verses 18-21
The Corinthians knew Christ as God in the flesh, able by his death and resurrection to reconcile sinners to himself. He gave Paul and his companions the word of reconciliation (the gospel) to preach, because anyone who is not reconciled to God will be condemned.
Paul and his companions saw themselves as ambassadors for Christ and his Atonement (At-one-ment) which enabled people to be at one with him, made righteous by his righteousness. Paul pleaded with the Corinthians to be reconciled to God so as not to be his enemies at the judgement.