If Jesus died to pay for our sins, past, present and future, and we try to live right why then would you have to face judgement? What is the Bema Seat and where do I find it in the Bible? Sorry for so many questions, but I want learn all I can so I can get to Heaven.
I thought I would try to answer more in relation to the question at hand. What Christ does is indeed die for our sins and of course all of them at that time were future as none of us were around yet 2000 years ago. For someone TRULY saved; He has redeemed us and given the "death blow" as it is to our old NATURE; which is the root and cause of our outer actions or "sins" that manifest what is an outer symptom of an inner heart condition.
This is a crucial point in having assurance of salvation. For the seed of true faith to be planted and take root there is in time good fruit produced. God in the New Covenant establishes a permanent residence with the Holy Spirit and we are His adopted sons and part of the Bride of Christ; at least in the church age in which we live. The process of "sanctification" leads to glorification for all who are redeemed ( Romans 8:29-30). This is part of the chastisement of all He loves; and discipline ( Heb. 12:11). Until our old body is destroyed at death or redeemed at the Rapture the refinement process continues. Some who are disobedient as stated elsewhere on this post go through the fire as it were and suffer loss of rewards; hence are quickly sanctified through this process; or through an early death as Corinthians brings out to the man in sexual sin; or with those taking communion unworthily. We should mortify the deeds of the flesh daily; to prepare if necessary for martyrdom but also so as to please the Lord and secure a reward for service faithfully for Him.
An important point as well; sin is still sin. It may indeed cost us our lives or cause illness and in this life we may have to pay a high price for it. We should accept what is due to us if we indeed are arrested for wrongdoing; or suffer due to disobedience and of course a true believer suffers for doing right and for His Name's sake and Jesus promises great reward ( Matt. 5:10-12).
A true believer won't be lost but is grieved in the Spirit with sin
You will find what is called the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:10,
The judgment seat is called the bema in the Greek.
2 Corinthians 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).
Notice what's in caps.
1) Paul adds himself to the group that must appear.
(THIS JUDGMENT IS FOR BELIEVERS ONLY)
2) Paul says, "that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be (GOOD OR BAD). This judgment is for REWARDS for the believers, NOT a judgment for salvation. John 5:24 reads Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION; but is passed from death unto life.
This is NOT the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT. That will be the final judgment of the wicked prior to their being cast into the lake of fire ( Revelation 20:11-15). The Great White Throne will be unbelievers.
MORE ON THE BEMA SEAT.
A bema was a raised platform on which judges sat to view athletic games. Their job was to make sure contestants followed the rules and to present awards.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 gives us a glance on how this judgment may be performed.
The material used in this portion of scripture speaks of the source behind our works performed.
Those who build with gold, silver, precious stones, their work will abide and be refined. This group is moved by the Holyspirit.
Those who build with wood, hay, stubble; this group works will be consumed by fire. This group wasn't led by the Spirit, but by the flesh.
This is a crucial point in having assurance of salvation. For the seed of true faith to be planted and take root there is in time good fruit produced. God in the New Covenant establishes a permanent residence with the Holy Spirit and we are His adopted sons and part of the Bride of Christ; at least in the church age in which we live. The process of "sanctification" leads to glorification for all who are redeemed ( Romans 8:29-30). This is part of the chastisement of all He loves; and discipline ( Heb. 12:11). Until our old body is destroyed at death or redeemed at the Rapture the refinement process continues. Some who are disobedient as stated elsewhere on this post go through the fire as it were and suffer loss of rewards; hence are quickly sanctified through this process; or through an early death as Corinthians brings out to the man in sexual sin; or with those taking communion unworthily. We should mortify the deeds of the flesh daily; to prepare if necessary for martyrdom but also so as to please the Lord and secure a reward for service faithfully for Him.
An important point as well; sin is still sin. It may indeed cost us our lives or cause illness and in this life we may have to pay a high price for it. We should accept what is due to us if we indeed are arrested for wrongdoing; or suffer due to disobedience and of course a true believer suffers for doing right and for His Name's sake and Jesus promises great reward ( Matt. 5:10-12).
A true believer won't be lost but is grieved in the Spirit with sin
You will find what is called the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:10,
The judgment seat is called the bema in the Greek.
2 Corinthians 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).
Notice what's in caps.
1) Paul adds himself to the group that must appear.
(THIS JUDGMENT IS FOR BELIEVERS ONLY)
2) Paul says, "that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be (GOOD OR BAD). This judgment is for REWARDS for the believers, NOT a judgment for salvation. John 5:24 reads Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION; but is passed from death unto life.
This is NOT the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT. That will be the final judgment of the wicked prior to their being cast into the lake of fire ( Revelation 20:11-15). The Great White Throne will be unbelievers.
MORE ON THE BEMA SEAT.
A bema was a raised platform on which judges sat to view athletic games. Their job was to make sure contestants followed the rules and to present awards.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 gives us a glance on how this judgment may be performed.
The material used in this portion of scripture speaks of the source behind our works performed.
Those who build with gold, silver, precious stones, their work will abide and be refined. This group is moved by the Holyspirit.
Those who build with wood, hay, stubble; this group works will be consumed by fire. This group wasn't led by the Spirit, but by the flesh.
God bless.
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