Since I have become a follower of Jesus I have heard teaching about the The Judgement Seat of Christ (JSoC). You may have as well. Typically we have heard sermons, teaching and the like in the form of, “You will give account of what you have done!” There is almost always a tone of, “He will bring before all you have ever done and Jesus will not be very happy with you! So straighten up!”
At least this is what I have gathered from it.
Many Christians are unaware that there are actually two judgements. One being called The Judgement Seat of Christ (JSoC) and the other is The Great White Throne Judgement (GWTJ). From scripture the JSoC (Romans 14:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10) indicates that we, as believers will be brought before Jesus and “judged”. The other scenario of The GWTJ appears to be only for those who have rejected Christ.
So as believers we will stand before Jesus one glorious day and give account. Now most of us have an understanding of this day to be of fear and dread. Where Jesus will run a movie of my entire life before all of humanity to see all of my short comings and sins. Then He will punish me or send me off to the corner or some sort of rebuke will follow.
I want to say that I believe that this is wrong!
This is only right, I believe if we have warped idea of the character and nature of Jesus. It is not in His nature to make a public spectacle of you. It is not in His nature to bring shame and humiliation on you. So we have re-evaluate the JSoC in my opinion.
First of all lets ask a quick question... what is a judgement seat about? Judgment means, “the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions”, according to Webster. In ANY setting where there is a judgement happening there are ALWAYS two outcomes. One being, “guilty” and the other being, “innocent”.
Now in our situation we have been trained and indoctrinated to fear this time in history because it will be “terrible” and it will be something we need to fear and you better get ready for it! This is only going on the notion that we are all guilty. BUT... there is another option.
What if we are innocent? Have you ever stopped and thought about the notion that maybe, just maybe you will be found innocent? Most of us would say, “no”. There is no way I am innocent. I would ask you, “why do you think you are not innocent?” Did you receive His sacrifice on the Cross? Did you believe in faith that He is the Son of God (John 3:16, Romans 10:13) and that He was resurrected from the dead (Romans 10:9-10), and that because you have put your faith in Him (Eph 2:8-9 ) you will inherit eternal life and be found innocent? This is what is required to be found innocent.
Now I believe what will happen on that day is that the King of Kings will gather all the multitudes of humanity together from generations past and present. As we stand before Him, He will announce to that sea of humanity His verdict of us and that verdict WILL BE...innocence! You (your name here) have been found innocent and have done well. You are my beloved son or daughter please enter into eternal life! He loves us so much that He wants to broadcast to the universe your innocence and His love for you.
This is the Character of God and that is His nature.
Do you have a view of God that magnifies and multiplies His judgement and wrath? If so I would ask you to reassess your picture of who He is.
I believe that God is best known for what He like to do least. And that is judge. Sure it is part of who He is... but a very small part. What if my children knew me best and mostly for the times I had to punish them? Do I have to punish? Yes, of course. It is not the thing I mostly am to them though. Mostly I am a loving caring father who wants nothing more than to promote and encourage my children. And God IS the same way (only perfect in what He does).
Hope this helps.
NOTES:
The Judgement Seat of Christ seems to indicate that this is the time where Christ will judge us as believers. This is not about salvation, salvation was brought to us at the cross and we receive it by faith. A gift.
Romans 14:12
“For we shall all stand before the JSoC.”
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the JSoC...”
The Great White Throne Seat Judgement seems to indicate that this is the judgment for people who have rejected Christ and will be judged accordingly.
Revelation 20: 11-15
