Warnings for Church leaders (and others)

 

As one entrusted with spiritual leadership, I must meditate often on the truths in these five texts. 

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV)

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”

Thought: On that day my “work will be shown for what it is” not for what I want others to think it is. 

I Corinthians 4: 2-5 (NIV)

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust (stewards) must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.  It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring  to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.  At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

Thought: What will happen when the Lord comes? My work will be shown for what it is because He “will expose the motives of men’s hearts.  At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NIV)

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (cf. Romans 14:12; John 12:42-43; Matthew 22:16; Proverbs 29:25 cf. Proverbs 3:5-6).

Thought: The words “all” and “each one” remind me that I cannot skip this appointment and I won’t be hiding in a group session but will have a personal session with the Lord. “Good or bad” will be determined when the Lord exposes “the motives of men’s hearts.” 

Matthew 6:1 (NIV)

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Thought: There will be no “praise from God” if my motive was to seek the affirmations and accolades from men.

 ^{Matthew 5:16 (NIV)}

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Thought: I must shine so that others will see my good deeds without the motive of being seen in a way that does not glorify my Father in heaven.

 

 

Appearing before God

 

Two passages: (90 sec on Audio clip)

1. II Corinthians 5:9-10

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Second Corinthians five not only establishes the fact of future accountability before God, it also sheds light on the nature of that accountability. In these verses, we learn of a future evaluation of our present lives will focus on “the deeds of the body.” These deeds will prove to be either “good” or “bad” (bad means “worthless” or “of no enduring value”). This will happen at our “appearing” or “being made manifest” before Christ’s judgment seat. But what does this involve?

“To be made manifest means not just to appear, but to be laid bare, stripped of every outward façade of respectability, and openly revealed in the full and true reality of one’s character. All our hypocrisies and concealments, all our secret, intimate sins of thought and deed, will be open to the scrutiny of Christ…for it is only the divine gaze which penetrates to the very essence of our personality: ‘man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart’ (1 Samuel 16:7). The conduct of our lives should constantly be influenced by the solemn remembrance that ‘there is no creature that is not manifest in God’s sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do’ (Hebrews 4:13; cf. 1 Corinthians 4:5). In that day of manifestation both the hypocritical and the hypercritical will be shown for what they really are.”

“’Because much is required of those to whom much has been given,’ comments Tasker, ‘the thought of the judgment seat of Christ has for the Christian a peculiar solemnity. It is not meant to cloud his prospect of future blessedness, but to act as a stimulus.’ The incentive is to Christian living that is marked throughout by complete integrity, both in what is apparent and in what is not apparent to one’s fellow-men, so that the outward, instead of concealing the inward person, corresponds to it. It is only in Christ, through the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit, that this wholeness of being, free from division and dissimulation, can be realized. ‘Let us then imagine Christ’s judgment-seat to be present now,’ urges Chrysostom, ‘and reckon each one of us with his own conscience, and account the Judge to be already present, and everything to be revealed and brought forth. For we must not merely stand, but also be manifested. Do you not blush? Are you not dismayed?’”  

“In the light of the ultimate realities of which he has been speaking every genuine follower of Christ should apply himself earnestly to ‘the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God’ (7:1). By ‘the fear of the Lord,’ then, the Apostle does not mean that terror (A. V., Ambrose, Herveius, Beza) which the ungodly will experience when they stand before God’s judgment throne (cf. Rev. 6:15ff), but that reverential awe which the Christian should feel towards the Master whom he loves and serves and at whose hands he will receive ‘the things done in the body’”  (cf. 1 Peter 1:17-19) (Philipp Hughes,, Second Corinthians, NICNT).

Relate this emphasis to Matthew 6:19-20: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

In Matthew 6:1-18 (giving – vv. 2-4; praying – vv. 5-6; fasting – vv. 16-18), Jesus contrasted those who prostituted sacred acts of righteousness to promote themselves with those who did things in secret as being seen and rewarded by the Father.  Motives of the heart appear to be the criteria for judgment. This aligns with I Corinthians 4:5- “…wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” The One who knows the motives of men’s hearts will expose them, and it will be very personal—“at that time each will receive his praise from God.”  Yet some also will “suffer loss” as their works prove to be “worthless” (i.e. of no enduring value).  (cf. Hebrews 4:12)  Perhaps 1 John 2:28 relates to this category. This might also help to explain the difference between categories of “gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw” (I Corinthians 3:10-15).

So in heaven, there will evidently be reward and loss of reward in relation to our earthly lives (i.e. “our acts of righteousness” or “deeds done in the body”). Some of what we’ve done will be of the quality that endures (done for the Lord in secret); some will disappear like fire consuming wood, hay or straw.

2. I Corinthians 3:10-15

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”

“Every believer is building upon the one foundation that has been laid, namely, Jesus Christ; upon this foundation he is secure for all eternity; but he is to take heed how he builds on this foundation, that is, the day of Christ’s tribunal. The picture used is that of a trial by fire, and the materials envisaged are such as are either destroyed by fire (wood, hay, stubble) or resistant to and indeed purified by fire (gold, silver, precious stones).  The Christian whose work abides after the test will receive a reward, whereas he whose work is consumed will suffer loss—‘but he himself shall be saved’ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).”   (cf. Revelation 1:14-17a)

“The declaration of Christ’s judgment-seat is not the ultimate of salvation or damnation; for it is the redeemed alone who stand before it, and their doing so results either, on the one hand, in their hearing the Lord’s ‘well done’ and the receiving of a reward, or, on the other hand, in their suffering loss, that is, through failing to receive a reward.  The rewards themselves vary in proportion to the faithfulness and diligence of each individual (cf. Luke 19:16ff)”  (Phillip Hughes).

Life and service for the Lord is an accountable stewardship of various talents, gifts, opportunities, and abilities. The Lord’s parables stress this truth. Reward and loss are a certainty but their exact nature is not as clear.  Evidently, the quality of each person’s work is either temporal or enduring.  Acts of devotion done for temporal glory will have no eternal significance. But there will be awareness of loss.  I Corinthians 3:10-15 is most likely a reference to efforts at building Christ’s Church. Do we build based on worldly wisdom or Christ and His teaching? In verse 15, it’s the man’s work (evidently in building the church) that could be burned up, while the man himself is spared.

This is “one of the most significant passages in the New Testament that warn—and encourage—those responsible for “building” the church of Christ.  In the final analysis, of course, this includes all believers, but it has particular relevance, following so closely as it does vv. 5-9, to those with teaching/leadership responsibilities.  Paul’s point is unquestionably warning.  It is unfortunately possible for people to attempt to build the church out of every imaginable human system predicated on merely worldly wisdom, be it philosophy, ‘pop’ psychology, managerial techniques, relational ‘good feelings,’ or what have you.  But at the final judgment, all such building (and perhaps countless other forms, where systems have become more important than the gospel itself) will be shown for what it is: something merely human, with no character of Christ or his gospel in it. Often, of course, the test may come this side of the final one, and in such an hour of stress that which has been built of modern forms of sophia usually comes tumbling down.”  (Gordon Fee, First Corinthians, NICNT,)  (cf. the seven churches in Revelation 2/3)

Prayerfully reflect on these Scriptures:

• Colossians 3:23-24- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
• Psalm 19:14  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight.”

Those who think heaven is gained by good deeds on earth

If you’ve been expecting to be received into heaven based on human effort you have been mistaken—seriously mistaken!  Such a thought must be seen as an offense against Jesus Christ.  He came and gave His life for our salvation precisely because we were helpless sinners who are unable to rescue ourselves! What have I said?  Good works, the deeds done in this life could never be adequate to purchase our eternal salvation—only the blood of Christ accomplished this for us.

So if you thought it was possible for you to make yourself acceptable before God, confess to Him your sin of thinking more highly of yourself than you ought.  Confess your need of Christ alone to save you from your sins and the eternal judgment your sins deserve.  Don’t be blinded by pride and religion!  Flee to Christ for salvation!

Connecting earth and heaven

We Christians, who know very well that good works do not accomplish our salvation, must take the connection between this life and heaven seriously.

• Do you see the importance of 2 Corinthians 5:9-10?
• Memorize these verses along with Hebrews 6:10; 10:24-25.
• Do you anticipate God saying to you: “Well done, good and faithful servant?”
• The great puritan Richard Baxter wrote, “Live now as you would wish you had done at death and judgment.”

Steve Cornell

 

We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:9-10).

________________________________

My mind often travels to this place where one day I will stand. As a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I must give an account of my service. My appearance before His judgment seat is closer with each passing day. Anticipation of this appointment causes me to do some deep personal evaluation and has a purifying influence in my life. 

Sometimes, I even “need to repent of my repentance,” as the Puritans confessed. Why? Because even in my repentance my heart might take pride in how repentant I am.

I quickly join my puritan brothers to pray, “O God of grace, I have no robe to bring to cover my sins, 
no loom to weave my own righteousness;
 I am always standing clothed in filthy garments,
 and by grace am always receiving change of
 clothing, 
for You always justify the ungodly;
 I am always going into the far country, 
and always returning home as a prodigal,
 always saying, Father, forgive me,
 and You are always bringing forth
 the best robe.” 

In such times, my heart attaches with greater awareness to my Advocate with the Father, “Jesus Christ the righteous one” (I John 2:1-2). I often recount my need for a “merciful and faithful high priest” (Hebrews 2:17) with deep gratitude that He is “not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15), but one who “…is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

I also join the puritans and pray, “O God of Grace,
You have imputed my sin to my substitute,
and imputed His righteousness
to my soul.” If Jesus had not been made sin for me and I had not been made righteous in him, where could I find hope? (II Corinthians 5:21).

A closer look:

The evaluation of each believer will be a time of personal accountability when our works will be evaluated by the Lord (Rom. 14:10-12; Heb. 13:17). The result will either be reward or loss (I Cor. 3:11-15; cf. Phil. 3:5-8; Rev. 3:11; II Cor. 5:10) and possibly even shame (I Jn. 2:28). Judgement is not about destiny. Our eternal destiny is settled in this life. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3:36). Judgment is focused on our service — the things done while in the body. 

Evaluation of service for God is based on the motives of the heart behind the service (I Corinthians 4:5). Our motives have some relationship with the quality and enduring significance of our service (I Cor. 3:11-15; II Cor. 5:10).

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave the best explanation of the concern for motives. He warned about doing “works of righteousness” (like giving, praying and fasting) to be seen by man (Matthew 6:1-21). If being recognized by others is my motivation in service, in Jesus’ words, “you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). There will be no enduring fruit and reward for such service.

Our deeds will be “good or bad” in relation to an enduring quality. Service for the Lord endures (like “gold, silver and costly stones,” I Corinthians 3:12-13) when done “in secret.” Jesus said, “…your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:4,6,18). Service that is without enduring quality and without reward (like “wood, hay or straw”) is the kind that is done for attention and praise from man. Jesus warned against prostituting what is sacred to promote yourself.

The apostle taught that each person’s work “will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light” (I Corinthians 3:13). When the Lord comes, “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (I Corinthians 4:5).

This is a soul-searching consideration because motives are slippery. I need to do regular “gut-checks” to be sure that the affirmations and accolades from people do not control my service for Christ. It’s not that I shouldn’t care what people think and how my life affects them, but that I must not allow it to occupy a controlling place in my heart — in the “why?” portion behind the “what” of life. We are not to hide the light of our deeds but we must learn to let our light shine before others, “that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). 

Like the apostle, I must always ask, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

Pray often:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:23-24).

grateful for mercy,

Steve Cornell

 

10 tests for spiritual inventory

 

Complacency and Christianity cannot co-exist because the Christian life is an examined life. 

“A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (I Corinthians 11:28). “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (II Corinthians 13:5).

Word of Caution:

This 10 point inventory is primarily meant for personal use not for judging others. It could be used to help others as they desire to examine their own hearts. But I offer this word of caution because lists and tests are too often used legalistically beyond the explicit requirements of God. It is wise then to examine our hearts and to guard our hearts with this caveat in mind. 

1. The test of anger: What makes you mad? 

“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed (provoked within) to see that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). “He (Jesus) looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts” (Mark 3:5)

2. The test of humor: What makes you laugh? 

“There’s a time to laugh, and a time to cry” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh” (Luke 6:21) (See: Ephesians 5:3-4)

3. The test of music: What makes you sing? 

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts” (Ephesians 5:18-19). “Let my tongue sing about your Word,
for all your commands are right” (Psalm 119:172)

4. The test of anxiety: What makes you worry? What do you fear?

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe” (Prov. 29:25). “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God” (John 12:42-43)
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28; cf. Ps. 111:10; )
(see also: Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7; I Peter 5:6-7; Isa. 41:10)

5. The test of money: How important is it to you? What do you do with it?

“Honor the Lord with your wealth” (Prov. 3:9a). “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11). Loving money condemned: Luke 16:14; I Timothy 6:9-10; II Timothy 3:2

6. The test of value: What is most important to you?

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well: (Matthew 6:33; cf. Colossians 3:23). “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever” (I John 2;15-17). “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:36-37)

7. The test of influence: What difference are you making in others?

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16; cf. Philippians 2:14-16)

8. The test of companionship: What kind of people do you prefer to be with?

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (II Cor. 6:14-15). “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20) (cf. Psalm 1:1-3;Proverbs 22:24-25;Amos 3:3;I Corinthians 5:9-13;

9. The test of speech: What do you like to talk about?

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:32). “Brothers, do not slander one another” (James 4:11; cf. Prov. 11:12-13; 16:28; 18:7-8; 21:23)

10. The test of time: What do you use it for? How well do you use it?

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).

Our final spiritual inventory: 

II Corinthians 5:9-10 –“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

I Corinthians 3:10-15—“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”

Steve Cornell

 

The final judge of all people

Reflect on this great excerpt from the writings of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758).

It comes from his work titled: “The World Judged Righteously by Jesus Christ.“ Don’t miss his word of encouragement in the last two paragraphs.

“Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained.” — Acts 17:31

_________________________

“The person by whom God will judge the world is Jesus Christ, God-man. The second person in the Trinity, that same person of whom we read in our Bibles, who was born of the Virgin Mary, lived in Galilee and Judea, and was at last crucified without the gates of Jerusalem, will come to judge the world both in his divine and human nature, in the same human body that was crucified, and rose again, and ascended up into heaven. Acts 1:11, “This same Jesus that is taken up from you into heaven, shall come in like manner, as ye have seen him go into heaven.” It will be his human nature which will then be seen by the bodily eyes of men. However, his divine nature, which is united to the human, will then also be present. And it will be by the wisdom of that divine nature that Christ will see and judge.

God sees fit, that he who is in the human nature, should be the judge of those who are of the human nature. John 5:27, “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” Seeing there is one of the persons of the Trinity united to the human nature, God chooses, in all his transactions with mankind, to transact by him. He did so of old, in his discoveries of himself to the patriarchs, in giving the law, in leading the children of Israel through the wilderness, and in the manifestations he made of himself in the tabernacle and temple. When, although Christ was not actually incarnate, yet he was so in design, it was ordained and agreed in the covenant of redemption, that he should become incarnate. And since the incarnation of Christ, God governs both the church and the world by Christ. So he will also at the end judge the world by him. All men shall be judged by God, and yet at the same time by one invested with their own nature.

God seeth fit, that those who have bodies, as all mankind will have at the day of judgment, should see their judge with their bodily eyes, and hear him with their bodily ears. If one of the other persons of the Trinity had been appointed to be judge, there must have been some extraordinary outward appearance made on purpose to be a token of the divine presence, as it was of old, before Christ was incarnate. But now there is no necessity of that. Now one of the persons of the Trinity is actually incarnate, so that God by him may appear to bodily eyes without any miraculous visionary appearance.

Christ has this honor of being the judge of the world given him, as a suitable reward for his sufferings. This is a part of Christ’s exaltation. The exaltation of Christ is given him in reward for his humiliation and sufferings. This was stipulated in the covenant of redemption. And we are expressly told, it was given him in reward for his sufferings, Phil. 2:8-12, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

God seeth meet, that he who appeared in such a low estate amongst mankind, without form or comeliness, having his divine glory veiled, should appear amongst men a second time, in his own proper majesty and glory, without a veil. To the end that those who saw him here at the first, as a poor, frail man, not having where to lay his head, subject to much hardship and affliction, may see him the second time in power and great glory, invested with the glory and dignity of the absolute Lord of heaven and earth. And that he who once tabernacled with men, and was despised and rejected of them, may have the honor of arraigning all men before his throne, and judging them with respect to their eternal state! John 5:21-24.

God seeth meet that he who was once arraigned before the judgment-seat of men, and was there most vilely treated, being mocked, spitted upon, and condemned, and who was at last crucified, should be rewarded, by having those very persons brought to his tribunal, that they may see him in glory, and be confounded. And that he may have the disposal of them for all eternity. As Christ said to the high priest while arraigned before him, Mat. 26:64, “Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

It is needful that Christ should be the judge of the world, in order that he may finish the work of redemption. It is the will of God, that he who is the redeemer of the world should be a complete redeemer; and that therefore he should have the whole work of redemption left in his hands. Now, the redemption of fallen man consists not merely in the impetration of redemption, by obeying the divine law, and making atonement for sinners, or in preparing the way for their salvation, but it consists in a great measure, and is actually fulfilled, in converting sinners to the knowledge and love of the truth, in carrying them on in the way of grace and true holiness through life, and in finally raising their bodies to life, in glorifying them, in pronouncing the blessed sentence upon them, in crowning them with honor and glory in the sight of men and angels, and in completing and perfecting their reward.

Now, it is necessary that Christ should do this, in order to his finishing the work which he has begun. Raising the saints from the dead, judging them, and fulfilling the sentence is part of their salvation. And therefore it was necessary that Christ should be appointed judge of the world, in order that he might finish his work (John 6:39, 40, chap. 5:25-31). The redemption of the bodies of the saints is part of the work of redemption; the resurrection to life is called a redemption of their bodies (Rom. 8:23).

It is the will of God, that Christ himself should have the fulfilling of that for which he died, and for which he suffered so much. Now, the end for which he suffered and died was the complete salvation of his people. And this shall be obtained at the last judgment, and not before. Therefore it was necessary that Christ be appointed judge, in order that he himself might fully accomplish the end for which he had both suffered and died. When Christ had finished his appointed sufferings, God did, as it were, put the purchased inheritance into his hands, to be kept for believers, and be bestowed upon them at the day of judgment.

It was proper that he who is appointed king of the church should rule till he should have put all his enemies under his feet. In order to which, he must be the judge of his enemies, as well as of his people. One of the offices of Christ, as redeemer, is that of a king. He is appointed king of the church and head over all things to the church. And in order that his kingdom be complete, and design of his reign be accomplished, he must conquer all his enemies, and then he will deliver up the kingdom to the Father. 1 Cor. 15:24, 25, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”

Now, when Christ shall have brought his enemies, who had denied, opposed, and rebelled against him, to his judgment-seat, and shall have passed and executed sentence upon them, this will be a final and complete victory over them, a victory which shall put an end to the war. And it is proper that he who at present reigns and is carrying on the war against those who are of the opposite kingdom, should have the honor of obtaining the victory, and finishing the war.

It is for the abundant comfort of the saints that Christ is appointed to be their judge. The covenant of grace, with all its circumstances, and all those events to which it has relation, is every way so contrived of God, as to give strong consolation to believers: for God designed the gospel for a glorious manifestation of his grace to them. And therefore everything in it is so ordered, as to manifest the most grace and mercy.

Now, it is for the abundant consolation of the saints, that their own Redeemer is appointed to be their judge. That the same person who spilled his blood for them has the determination of their state left with him, so that they need not doubt but that they shall have what he was at so much cost to procure.

What matter of joy to them will it be at the last day, to lift up their eyes, and behold the person in whom they have trusted for salvation, to whom they have fled for refuge, upon whom they have built as their foundation for eternity, and whose voice they have often heard, inviting them to himself for protection and safety, coming to judge them.”

From: “The World Judged Righteously by Jesus Christ” Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

“Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained.” — Acts 17:31

 

Preparing people to meet God

“Christian mission can never be reduced to preparing people for this life.” (D. A. Carson)

In “our materialistic culture, passionately focused on the comforts of this life and pleasures of the now,” D. A. Carson calls for “the urgent restoration to our vision the ultimate importance of heaven.”

“Did not Jesus insist that his followers store up their treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21)? Did he not frankly warn them, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28; Luke 12:5)? “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37).”

“Not only does Scripture insist that we are “destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Heb. 9:27), it announces that all of history is directed toward the new heaven and the new earth—or hell. More precisely, it is directed toward a renovated universe in which “the one who sits on the throne and the Lamb” are at the very center of everything. Life here and now that is not shaped and controlled by this perspective is not merely frivolous, it is culpably rebellious.”

“Thus Christian mission can never be reduced to preparing people for this life. It can never be properly Christian if all that it aims to do, if all that it accomplished, is to effect some reforms in government, or to improve social, moral, and economic standards.”

“I cannot imagine a church profoundly shaped by Scripture that will not want to reform government and improve social, moral, and economic standards. But if that is all the church is trying to do, if it is all that individual Christians are trying to do, they have lost their moorings. There is a primacy to preparing people to meet God which, though its horizon is eternity, will also change how people live here and now” (D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God, pp.434-435).

 

University students respond to survey about heaven

 

Surveys have consistently indicated that the majority of people in the USA believe there is a heaven. Most also believe that heaven is granted based on the good things done in this life. In a survey we conducted at the State University in our town, 53 of the 65 students who responded acknowledged belief in heaven and confidently expected to be welcomed there upon death. 37 of the 53 based their expectation on the kind of life they’ve lived on earth. Only 7 out of 65 professed belief in heaven but were uncertain about being welcomed there.

Consider some of their answers:

1. Do you believe you will go to heaven?  Why?  Or why not?

• Yes, I am really a loving and caring person and believe that I will go to heaven.
• Yes, everybody does.
• Yes, because I haven’t done anything really bad and everyone’s a sinner. If I’m going to Hell, then probably most people are.
• Yes, God forgives all of us.  We make mistakes and learn from them.  We’re not really bad people.
• First, purgatory, then eventually I will go to heaven.  You must go to purgatory first and work your sins off.
• I’d like to think I will, but I don’t know if I’ve lived my life to deserve it.
• Yes, because I do my best to live by what I learned.
• Yes, I try to do what I feel is right.
• I hope so. I try to do good things in my life.  I know I sin a lot. I try not to sin, though.
• I’d like to think so because I try to be a good person and I confess my sins to a priest.
• Yes, I believe that I try to do the right thing.
• I believe those people who try to do what they believe is right will go to heaven. Based on that, yes, I think I will.
• Yes, because I think I do what is right and I live my life as a good person.
• Yes, I am a good person and believe in God.
• Yes, though I am not a “good Christian” I believe that some of my personal values are like the Christian values.  Since I hold these values very important, I have done the necessary things to receive passage to heaven.

Did you notice the repeated emphasis? Eternal life in heaven (according to the respondents), is given to those who deserve it for the way they’ve lived on earth. I suspect that most people would think this makes sense — especially if they come from a culture strongly committed to entitlement. I am really not too surprised by these responses. Their answers are consistent with all religious teaching outside of Biblical Christianity.

But the answers from these students are completely opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God did not look down from heaven and say, “What a great group of humans! I think I’ll send my Son to die for them” (See also Romans 5:8).  If being accepted with God could be accomplished by human law-keeping, Christ died needlessly! (see: Galatians 2:21). Emphatically, the apostle wrote: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).

But having understood this important truth, consider another question:

• Is it possible that we (in evangelical churches) have so emphasized non-works salvation that we have failed to adequately appreciate the eternal significance of our good works? Asked differently, if we all get heaven as a free gift of God’s salvation, does it really matter how we live on earth?  If it does, in what way? Is there eternal significance to our earthly lives?

Connecting earth and heaven:

The Bible makes a clear connection between earth and heaven in relation to the way we live on earth.  And although the connection does not affect or influence the eternal security of our standing with God, we must never allow ourselves to think that it doesn’t matter in eternity whether we lived faithful and obedient lives on earth.  Of course, faithfulness and obedience are the fruit of genuine conversion, but not all believers adequately understand their connection with eternity.  To understand this connection we need to establish two basic points.

1. Future accountability to God – 2 Corinthians 5:8-10

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

This is the undeniable fact of future accountability before God (cf. Romans 14:7-12—where once again we find this emphasis on human accountability before God).

“To have the glorious hope of being transformed into the likeness of Christ at His appearing in no way absolves us from responsibility for the manner in which we conduct ourselves now. If our deepest longing is for that consummating moment when we shall at last be transfigured into His image, then it should be our present concern to progress daily, by the grace of God, towards the goal of Christlikeness.  Love for the Master because of His matchless love for us should be sufficient incentive for us to follow devotedly in His steps.  But there is a further consideration, to which the Apostle draws attention here, namely, that even for the Christian there is to be a day of reckoning.  We must all, apostles and the rest, whether living or dead at Christ’s coming, be made manifest before the tribunal of Christ”  (Philip Hughes, Second Corinthians, NICNT, 179-180).

“All the implications and consequences of being made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ will not be known until the day itself arrives; but meanwhile the Christian is left in no doubt that he is regarded by God as fully answerable for the quality of his present life in the body”  (Hughes, 182-183).

Although all the implications and consequences of our future appearance before Christ’s tribunal are not known, Scripture is not silent about it:

2. The nature of future accountability to God

Second Corinthians five not only establishes the fact of accountability, it also sheds light on the nature of that accountability. In these verses, we learn of a future evaluation of our present lives and the focus is on “the deeds of the body.” These deeds will prove to be either “good” or “bad” (bad means “worthless” or “of no enduring value”). This will happen at our “appearing” or “being made manifest” before Christ’s judgment seat. But what does this involve?

“To be made manifest means not just to appear, but to be laid bare, stripped of every outward façade of respectability, and openly revealed in the full and true reality of one’s character.  All our hypocrisies and concealments, all our secret, intimate sins of thought and deed, will be open to the scrutiny of Christ…for it is only the divine gaze which penetrates to the very essence of our personality: ‘man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart’ (1 Samuel 16:7).  The conduct of our lives should constantly be influenced by the solemn remembrance that ‘there is no creature that is not manifest in God’s sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do’ (Hebrews 4:13; cf. 1 Corinthians 4:5).  In that day of manifestation both the hypocritical and the hypercritical will be shown for what they really are.”

“’Because much is required of those to whom much has been given,’ comments Tasker, ‘the thought of the judgment seat of Christ has for the Christian a peculiar solemnity.  It is not meant to cloud his prospect of future blessedness, but to act as a stimulus.’  The incentive is to Christian living that is marked throughout by complete integrity, both in what is apparent and in what is not apparent to one’s fellow-men, so that the outward, instead of concealing the inward person, corresponds to it. It is only in Christ, through the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit, that this wholeness of being, free from division and dissimulation, can be realized.  ‘Let us then imagine Christ’s judgment-seat to be present now,’ urges Chrysostom, ‘and reckon each one of us with his own conscience, and account the Judge to be already present, and everything to be revealed and brought forth. For we must not merely stand, but also be manifested.  Do you not blush?  Are you not dismayed?’”  (Hughes)

“In the light of the ultimate realities of which he has been speaking every genuine follower of Christ should apply himself earnestly to ‘the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God’ (7:1).  By ‘the fear of the Lord,’ then, the Apostle does not mean that terror (A. V., Ambrose, Herveius, Beza) which the ungodly will experience when they stand before God’s judgment throne (cf. Rev. 6:15ff), but that reverential awe which the Christian should feel towards the Master whom he loves and serves and at whose hands he will receive ‘the things done in the body’”  (cf. 1 Peter 1:17-19) (Hughes).

Relate this emphasis to Matthew 6:19-20: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

In Matthew 6:1-18 (giving – vv. 2-4; praying – vv. 5-6; fasting – vv. 16-18), Jesus contrasted those who prostituted sacred acts of righteousness to promote themselves with those who did things in secret as being seen and rewarded by the Father.  Motives of the heart appear to be the criteria for judgment. This aligns with I Corinthians 4:5- “…wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” The One who knows the motives of men’s hearts will expose them, and it will be very personal—“at that time each will receive his praise from God.”  Yet some also will “suffer loss” as their works prove to be “worthless” (i.e. of no enduring value).  (cf. Hebrews 4:12)  Perhaps 1 John 2:28 relates to this category. This might also help to explain the difference between categories of “gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw” (I Corinthians 3:10-15).

So in heaven, there will evidently be reward and loss of reward in relation to our earthly lives (i.e. “our acts of righteousness” or “deeds done in the body”). Some of what we’ve done will be of the quality that endures (done for the Lord in secret); some will disappear like fire consuming wood, hay or straw.

Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

“Every believer is building upon the one foundation that has been laid, namely, Jesus Christ; upon this foundation he is secure for all eternity; but he is to take heed how he builds on this foundation, that is, the day of Christ’s tribunal. The picture used is that of a trial by fire, and the materials envisaged are such as are either destroyed by fire (wood, hay, stubble) or resistant to and indeed purified by fire (gold, silver, precious stones).  The Christian whose work abides after the test will receive a reward, whereas he whose work is consumed will suffer loss—‘but he himself shall be saved’ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).”   (cf. Revelation 1:14-17a)

“The declaration of Christ’s judgment-seat is not the ultimate of salvation or damnation; for it is the redeemed alone who stand before it, and their doing so results either, on the one hand, in their hearing the Lord’s ‘well done’ and the receiving of a reward, or, on the other hand, in their suffering loss, that is, through failing to receive a reward.  The rewards themselves vary in proportion to the faithfulness and diligence of each individual (cf. Luke 19:16ff).”  (Hughes)

Life and service for our Lord is an accountable stewardship of various talents, gifts, opportunities, and abilities. The Lord’s parables stress this truth. Reward and loss are a certainty but their exact nature is not as clear.  Evidently, the quality of each person’s work is either temporal or enduring.  Acts of devotion done for temporal glory will have no eternal significance. But there will be awareness of loss.  I Corinthians 3:10-15 is most likely a reference to efforts at building Christ’s Church. Do we build based on worldly wisdom or Christ and His teaching? In verse 15, it’s the man’s work (evidently in building the church) that could be burned up, while the man himself is spared.

This is “one of the most significant passages in the New Testament that warn—and encourage—those responsible for “building” the church of Christ.  In the final analysis, of course, this includes all believers, but it has particular relevance, following so closely as it does vv. 5-9, to those with teaching/leadership responsibilities.  Paul’s point is unquestionably warning.  It is unfortunately possible for people to attempt to build the church out of every imaginable human system predicated on merely worldly wisdom, be it philosophy, ‘pop’ psychology, managerial techniques, relational ‘good feelings,’ or what have you.  But at the final judgment, all such building (and perhaps countless other forms, where systems have become more important than the gospel itself) will be shown for what it is: something merely human, with no character of Christ or his gospel in it. Often, of course, the test may come this side of the final one, and in such an hour of stress that which has been built of modern forms of sophia usually comes tumbling down.”  (Gordon Fee, First Corinthians, NICNT,)  (cf. the seven churches in Revelation 2/3)

Prayerfully reflect on these Scriptures:

Colossians 3:23-24- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Psalm 19:14  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight.”

Final word to those who think heaven is gained by good deeds on earth:

If you have been expecting to be received into heaven based on human effort you have been mistaken—seriously mistaken!  Such a thought must be seen as an offense against Jesus Christ.  He came and gave His life for our salvation precisely because we were helpless sinners who are unable to rescue ourselves! What have I said?  Good works, the deeds done in this life could never be adequate to purchase our eternal salvation—only the blood of Christ accomplished this for us.

So if you thought it was possible for you to make yourself acceptable before God, confess to Him your sin of thinking more highly of yourself than you ought to think.  Confess your need of Christ alone to save you from your sins and the eternal judgment your sins deserve.  Don’t be blinded by pride and religion!  Flee to Christ for salvation!

Final word to believers about connecting earth and heaven:

We Christians, who know very well that good works do not accomplish our salvation, must take the connection between this life and heaven seriously. Do you see the importance of 2 Corinthians 5:9-10? Memorize these verses along with Hebrews 6:10; 10:24-25. Do you anticipate God saying to you: “Well done, good and faithful servant?” The great puritan Richard Baxter wrote, “Live now as you would wish you had done at death and judgment.”

Steve Cornell

Footnote: On degrees of reward, see Dan. 12:2; Matt. 6:20-21; 19:21; Luke 6:22-23; 12:18-21, 32, 42-48; 14:13-14; 1 Cor. 3:8; 9:18; 13:3; 15:19, 29-32, 58; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 6:7-8; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 10:34-35; 11:10, 14-16, 26, 35; 1 Peter 1:4; 2 John 8; Rev. 11:18; 22:12; cf. also Matt. 5:46; 6:2-6, 16-18, 24; Luke 6:35; 19:17-19.

 

Project “self-justification”

Two kinds of people:

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ ‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted’” (Luke 18:9-14).

_______________________________________

The Pharisee is full of himself. He exalts himself on the shoulders of weakness he perceives in others. Like a spiritual cannibal, he feeds his ego by “looking” for comparisons that (he thinks) will make him shine. I could hear him asking,  ”What’s that other fellow doing here?!” “He better stand at a distance!” “He better not make eye contact with me!”

The tax collector (despised by his people as a traitor), is uncertain about being in a holy place. He stays at a distance because he feels unworthy. He’s not “looking” for self-justification, only for mercy. Perhaps he’s thinking:  ”I probably shouldn’t be here.” “This is a place for devout and religious people.”

The heart of the contrast:

1. Self-justifying: “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts” (Luke 16:15) 

Here is a man who draws attention to himself. He does good things for self-justification. He prostitutes what is sacred to promote himself. He uses condescending comparisons for self-justification. He “looked down on” others with the haughty eyes that God detests (Proverbs 6:16-17).

2. Self-renouncing: “He must deny himself…..” (Luke 9:23)

Here is a chest-beating, mercy-pleading, self-confessed sinner. He has a deep awareness of being unworthy. He appeals for a merciful divine intervention. He is not looking.

Are you living the life of project self-justification?

It’s disturbingly easy to fail to see how much we might be like the Pharisee in this story. His focus was on “project self-justification.” Religion was his tool of choice. Jesus warned his followers about the insidious danger of this when he told them, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).

Insecurity and people pleasing

Let’s not leave this issue in the temple with the Pharisee. There are other more subtle motives behind ”project self-justification.” Two of the most common are insecurity and people pleasing. These are often the fruit of low self-esteem but whatever the source or occasion, we must face the truth about them. When insecurity and people pleasing dominate our lives, we’re living for “project self-justification.” Life is about me. It’s about how I feel about myself and how others see me.

Unlike the abrasive Pharisee, perhaps we’re doing project self-justification unknowingly. But we cannot ignore the insidious danger of motives that keep us focused on ourselves. The apostle Paul wrote: ”I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant” (Galatians 1:10).

People pleasers often allow the wishes and feelings of others to control them. They do this because they like being liked. They’re enslaved to the opinions of people. They often avoid conflict because conflict makes them feel uncomfortable. Sometimes they use flattery to get people to think well of them. Insecurity is behind the evils of gossip and slander. Critics and faultfinders are also committed to self-justification. They “look” at others with evil intent.

When we engage in these actions, we’re in bondage to self-justification. We’re “looking” for faults and failures in others to gain good feelings about ourselves. This way of life goes well beyond the walls of temples and Churches.

Justified before God

Jesus commends self-renunciation as the difference maker in the man who goes home “justified before God.” This chest beating, mercy pleading, self-confessed sinner knew salvation couldn’t be a cooperative project between himself and God. He had no “works of righteousness” to offer. He knew his hope rested entirely in God’s mercy. He needed divine intervention, a rescue mission–a Savior. He begged for God’s mercy!

What kind of people receive mercy?

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (Psalm 53:16-17)

“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” (Joel 2:13)

“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word. (Isaiah 66:2)

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30).

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).

Steve Cornell

Additional note:

Jesus began in Luke 18:9 with a broader application before focusing on the Pharisee as the proud person. “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.”

Although Jesus used the Pharisee in His story, we must not limit the proud to the Pharisees. Many others were in danger of being self-righteous and condescending. So Jesus spoke to them (not about them to others) and described his target audience as a group of self-possessed people who thought they could live lives pleasing to God apart from divine mercy. And, as is common to human practice, their self-justification was something they validated by their disdain for others. In other words, they nourished their self-righteous egos based on comparative analysis. True humility rejects these measurements.

But before we limit the story to the Pharisee, let’s remember that the disciples have already demonstrated comparable tendencies (i.e. ego-building through comparative thinking and disdain for others). Not much earlier an argument had started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.

Jesus’ aim is “not designed so much around identifying as the culprit a particular Jewish group as to identify a set of dispositions and commitments that generate practices, perceptions, and attitudes that are set in opposition to the way of the kingdom of God.” The Lord’s purpose is “to warn against a particular way ofcomporting oneself in light of the present and impending reign of God” (Gospel of Luke, New International Commentary on the New Testament, p. 646).

 

Prepare for your final evaluation

Soon I will stand before the Lord Jesus and my service for him will be evaluated as to whether it was “good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). On what basis will this evaluation be made? The answer is sobering.

All servants and stewards of the Lord Jesus Christ must give an account for their service and use of his gifts and resources. Knowing the primary basis for this evaluation produces a powerful purifying influence in my heart.

It is sometimes painful to reflect on this encounter because I know how easily my heart gravitates toward self. But I must go to places of deep repentance crying out, “O wretched man that I am.” The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;  a brokenand contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

Sometimes, as an old Puritan put it: “I need to repent of my repentance.” Why? Because even in my repentance my heart might take pride in how repentant I am.

I join my puritan brothers and pray,

“O God of grace, I have no robe to bring to cover my sins, no loom to weave my own righteousness; I am always standing clothed in filthy garments, and by grace am always receiving change of raiment, for You always justify the ungodly; I am always going into the far country, and always returning home as a prodigal, always saying, Father, forgive me, and You are always bringing forth the best robe.”

When I think about the evaluation of my service, I am more deeply grateful that the one before whom I will stand is my advocate with the father, “Jesus Christ the righteous one” (I John 2:1-2). He is my “merciful and faithful high priest” (Hebrews 2:17) and “not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). He “…is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 

I join the Puritan prayer, “O God of Grace, You have imputed my sin to my substitute, and imputed His righteousness to my soul.” If Jesus had not been made sin for me and I had not been made righteous in him, where would my hope be placed? (see: II Corinthians 5:21).

A closer look:

The challenging motivating factor is the basis upon which the evaluation of our service will be made. Evaluation of service for God is based on the motives of the heart (I Cor. 4:5). Our motives in service have some relationship with the quality and enduring significance of our service as “good or bad” (I Cor. 3:11-15; II Cor. 5:10).

Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount offers the best explanation of this. There he warns about doing “works of righteousness” (like giving, praying and fasting) to be seen by man (Matthew 6:1-21). If being recognized by others is our motivation in service, in Jesus’ words, “you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). There will be no enduring fruit and reward for such service.

Service for the Lord that endures (i.e. “gold, silver and costly stones” service—I Corinthians 3:12-13) is done “in secret.” Jesus said, “…your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:4,6,18). Service that is described as “wood, hay or straw” is the kind that is done for the attention, atta-boys and praise from man. Jesus strongly warned against prostituting what is sacred to promote yourself.

The apostle also warned that each person’s “work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light” (I Corinthians 3:13). The word is clear: “When the Lord comes, He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (I Corinthians 4:5).

Here is a soul-searching matter because motives are so slippery and I easily put self first. I need regular “gut-checks” lest the affirmations and accolades of man control my service for Christ. I even find that sometimes, as an old Puritan put it, “I need to repent of my repentance.” Why? Because even in my repentance my heart might take pride in how repentant I am.

It’s not that I shouldn’t care what people think and how my life affects them, but that I must not allow it to occupy a controlling spot in my heart. Jesus revealed the tension we live with: Matthew 5:16- “Let your light shine before men… that they may see your good works….” and Matthew 6:1- “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” The motive of the heart is the place where the tension must be resolved.

Like the apostle, I must ask, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

Details about this event:

The evaluation of the believer will be a time of personal accountability when our works will be presented to the Lord (Rom. 14:10-12; Heb. 13:17).  It will result in reward or loss (I Cor. 3:11-15; cf. Phil. 3:5-8; Rev. 3:11; II Cor. 5:10) and possibly even shame (I Jn. 2:28). It will take place after the rapture of the Church and Jesus will preside as judge (II Tim. 4:7-8; Lk. 14:14 w/I Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 19:8).

The New Testament refers to various crowns to be given at judgment: A crown of life (Ja. 1:12; Rev. 2:10); of rejoicing (I Thess. 2:19-20); of righteousness (II Tim. 4:8); of glory (I Pet. 5:1-4); the incorruptible crown (I Cor. 9:25-27). The specifically stated bases for reward include: loving Christ’s appearance (II Tim. 4:8); enduring trials (Ja. 1:12); suffering for Christ (Mt. 5:11-12); pastoral oversight (Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 5:4); treatment of other believers (Mt. 10:41; 25:34-40; Heb. 6:10); use of wealth (Mt. 6:20; I Tim. 6:17-19); fruits of evangelism (I Thess. 2:19-20); self-control in the race (I Cor. 9:25-27) and use of spiritual gifts (I Pet. 4:10; I Cor. 12:11).

Deeper reflection:

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Philippians 1:20-23).

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:9-10).

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24).

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:1,38-39).

Additional study:

Pictures of service in I Corinthians:

1. The farmer (3:6-9)

2. The builder (3:9-15)

3. The steward (4:1-5 cf. Rom. 14:10-12)

4. The athlete (9:24-27)

I pray that a closer look at this time of evaluation will challenge us to deeper levels of devotion to living for Christ.

Steve Cornell