Sand Mountain Sermonette 69
2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21
The Wise Judge
“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 he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
I have always had a special place in my heart for a good courtroom judge; one who is fair, to the point, and wise. When I was a young man still living in Alabama, I was called to the Guntersville, Alabama, courthouse to appear for possible jury selection and although I was never called, I will never forget that day or the judge.
A group of about thirty or forty people had assembled and been there for a short spell, when in walked the judge who proceeded to take his seat on his judge’s bench. Now while this was going on, I happened to notice an older man walk in with a younger fellow, both dressed in motorcycle attire and holding their respective helmets. In a few moments the judge invited anyone who felt they couldn’t serve as a juror that day to raise their hand and he would talk with them. Well, one by one, several people raised their hand to which the judge invited them to approach the bench one by one and give the reason why they didn’t think they could serve on a jury. Now, some were excused while some returned to take their seat in the courthouse. Then, the judge asked one last time, and the older biker guy who was seated in the very back of the courtroom raised his hand and stood up. And this wise judge, who was seated quite some distance away, said to him from that distance, “Tell me why you don’t think you can serve today.” To which the man replied, “Judge, I can’t serve today because I have a hearing problem.” To which the (wise) judge asked, “What did you say?” To which the man said, “I said, I have a hearing problem.” To which the judge responded, “You sit down right there!” And I still remember the smile the biker guy had on his face as he sat down. And when I was excused along with some other folks that day, I believe that man was still sitting there.
The Bible addresses more than one judgment. For purposes of this devotional, I will mention two: the very last judgment known as The Great White Throne Judgment where only the unsaved will stand before Christ the righteous Judge on that day (Revelation 20:11-15), and the Bema Seat Judgment of Christ found in our Scripture for today, (2 Corinthians 5:10). Only Christians will stand at this judgment which I believe will take place following the Rapture of the church (of Christians), preceding seven years of “Tribulation” upon the earth which will occur before the Second Coming of Christ to the earth.
This judgment will not have to do with salvation, but with the receiving or loss of rewards (“crowns”) as told in Scripture (See I Corinthians 3:10-15). The truth is, Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that, “ [God] made Him [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Think about it. The Bible says the judgment of God’s wrath against sin fell in full degree on Christ so the way could be made for you and I to stand faultless and forgiven on the day of judgment. God’s loving and holy ways are good and fair and wise! Choose Christ today and you will pass from spiritual death into life now and forever! For the Bible Tells Us So!
Pastor Louie