Breaking the Ice
When judgment is mentioned in this day and age it always has a punitive connotation, to mean, it is often thought of as punishing. Therefore, if you tell someone that he or she is going to be judged, it is understood that they are going to be punished.
This is not an accurate understanding of what judgment means. It is a half understanding of judgment at best and it creates a stumbling block in biblical understanding.
Let me explain.
If I was to tell a born again christian, who believes that his/her sins are forgiven, that they are going to be judged there will be almost an immediate resistance. Mainly because they will ask, “What am I being punished for? My sins are forgiven and Jesus Christ took the punishment for my sins.”
If you notice in his/her mind the term ‘judged‘ is taken to mean ‘punished‘. This makes the doctrine of judgment being carried out upon the born again Christians not to make any sense to him/her.
And that, notwithstanding Paul, who, while talking to the born again Christians of his day states…
“…For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” Romans 14:10
And again,
“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.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
And thus we are left with a conundrum. We believe, as born again christians, we are forgiven for our sins but for some reason we will also be judged (punished).
It does not make good sense at all, I would concur. Nonetheless, the problem lies not with the doctrine of judgment but with the understanding of the word ‘judgment’.
What is ‘judgment’?
First and foremost, judgment is in itself a neutral thing. It can be either good or bad. Whether it is good or bad depends on the person under judgment. To a wicked man judgment means punishment, to a righteous man judgment means vindication and exoneration.
This right here is the crux of the matter. This, is the fuller understanding of the word ‘judgment’. This is what Paul alludes to in the last part of 2 Corinthians 5:10. “that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”. If a person has done good he will receive good from the judgment process. Judgment will be a joy to him for it is the time that his works get rewarded. Albeit, if a person had done evil he shall receive punishment from the judgment process in harmony with his evil works. Thus it is a terror and not very welcome.
With this understanding, why would a born again Christian who has repented of his sins, and has abided in Jesus Christ, and has the testimony that all his works after the conversion point were wrought in God (see John 3:19-21) fear the concept of a judgment? Will it not be a vindication to him? The manifestation that his works have been wrought in God?
I see no reason for a born again Christian to fear judgment. Chiefly because the judgment will reveal that he has taken hold of grace of God freely offered him (See Eph 2:8) and has made peace with Him (See Isa 27: 5) and are therefore truly deserving of the title of Sons of God and the ultimate reward of eternal life. The judgment would set a stamp/seal upon them as deserving of certain rewards.
Conversely, I do see a reason for a pretending christian to fear judgment. His pretensions shall be exposed and his wickedness shall be brought to the forefront and the reward of such things shall be given him.
If judgment is taken to be both good or bad, and not only bad, then it is quite simple to see a Christian appearing before the judgment seat of Christ.
However, if judgment is only taken to be bad, then that understanding becomes a stumbling block to the doctrine that Christians are to appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
A simple tweak in understanding but it makes a whole load of difference in the understanding of the doctrine of judgment.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” {Eccl 12:13-14}
“And when He (the Holy Ghost) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment… “ {John 16:8}
“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” {Acts 24:24-25}
“I beheld till the thrones were set up, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” {Daniel 7:9-10}
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” {Revelation 14:6-7}
“The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people. The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof …” {Isaiah 3:13 -14}
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” {1 Peter 4:17-18}