“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?’” Mark 12:24
Plain Truth
Often I have heard people talking about the things of God and inadvertently falling into a misconception based on a faulty knowledge of who He is or what He has said. They have a lack of knowledge of the Scriptures, as well as a deficiency in understanding the power of God. Because of this failing, they are often mistaken.
For example, when we die we do not become angels nor does God help those who help themselves—He helps those who call upon Him in time of trouble trusting in His strength and not their own.
Recently I overheard a believer talking about how when we get to heaven all our sins would be written for everyone to read. For all to see, there would be every lie we ever told, every shameful act we ever committed, every foul thought that entertained our minds. That conclusion is not scripturally sound. That conclusion makes heaven a place of fear and dread. That conclusion detracts from the work of grace and forgiveness accomplished through Christ.
There will be two separate judgments. One for non-believers called the Great White Throne judgement. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).
But here is the good news! True believers will not be found before the Great White Throne. They will stand before the Bema Seat of Christ. The sins of believers will not be an issue at this judgment seat because their sins have already been forgiven.
“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:10-12).
There is no condemnation for those who have believed in Christ. This place of judgment is to determine heavenly rewards for our service and love to Jesus and the people of God. It is a measure of our devotion and servanthood. And this truth sparks hope and anticipation and joy in our hearts. What a different conclusion!
The questions considered before the Bema Seat will be, what have we done with Jesus? The parable of the wicked vinedressers in this same chapter reveals what God is looking for in us. Have we respected God’s Son? Have we honored the Father? Has our vineyard been fruitful and do we render up that fruit to the glory of His great name? If found faithful in these things, we will be richly rewarded by the Giver of all good gifts. In contrast is the just response for those who treat the things of God shamefully with no regard for the Almighty.
It is so vital for one to know the Scripture for herself and not be deceived concerning the power of God. We are forgiven, once and for all time. He has thoroughly dealt with sin and He is not ever going to use it against us to bring us to humiliation and shame. When He looks at us, He sees Jesus His Son. What a difference it can make in our outlook when we know the wonderful truth of God’s heart toward us. We can look forward to heaven in anticipation and joy. Our future is bright in the Lord!
“Father, how wonderful to realize the eternal power of Your forgiveness and grace. You see in us the righteousness of Your Son. May we live fruitful lives that bring You pleasure and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I’ve never heard the term ‘Bema Seat’. What does that mean? or where does it come from?
I was thinking the same as the previous person.
The word “bema” is a Greek word and is not found as such in your English Bible..The word is also translated court or tribunal. The platform could be either public (John 19:13) or private (Acts 25:22). It is like the word “rapture” which is not found as such in scripture, but the concept is plainly made known.
Here are some scriptures that talk about Christ’s judgment seat (the bema): For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what we have done whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God (Romans 14:10).
For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what He has done (Matthew 16:27).
For a more in depth look see Don Stewart’s message on this topic in blueletterbible.org. Thank you for your questions! I love that you are digging into scripture for yourself to see “if these things be so!”
Thank you so much for this clarification! Because people often read all over the Bible and not necessarily from cover to cover,it seems understandable that they might have limited understanding of some concepts and truths.
I am grateful that you took the time to clearly lay out truths that may have been confusing for many. Really practical teaching!
Today’s message is so comforting and re assuring of the forgiveness and why we should not harbor guilt once we have dealt with any issue. Thank you.