Judge Judge Judge – βῆμα – Study 3-B

Because of the Cross

Thanks for returning to this series on “Judge Judge Judge” and my feeble attempt to understand a believers responsibility and right to make judgments.

Another purpose of this series hopefully is to understand the believers restriction on judgement.

What can a Christian judge? How is he to judge? What is prohibited in the Christian life to judge. So many questions and concerns.

Our third greek word related to judging is…

bēma

βῆμα – bēma – judgment seat, throne, to set (one’s) foot on

This word is found 12 times in 12 verses within the New Testament. A full listing of all verses may be found below for your self study. I will consider the verses that are not clear, that create questions in my mind, with the remaining verses left for the reader to ponder.

Judgment Seat of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

First off, I don’t see a difference between judgement seat of God and judgement seat of Christ. To all who may see a difference, let me know – I am open to discussion and learning!!)

Secondly, I found out a little something years back when I was teaching through the book of Corinthians that made me reconsider the type of God I serve.

Let’s refer to Vines one more time. Note that the primary meaning of the greek word translated as evil is

“slight, trivial, blown about by every wind;” then, “mean, common, bad,” in the sense of being worthless, paltry or contemptible, belonging to a low order of things; in Jhn 5:29, those who have practiced “evil” things, RV, “ill” (phaula), are set in contrast to those who have done good things (agatha); the same contrast is presented in Rom 9:11; 2Cr 5:10,

I’m not totally convinced of this thought but would like to float it for your consideration. Follow me on this thinking for a moment. The primary meaning of the greek word translated as evil is “slight”, “trivial”, “worthless,” “belonging to a low order of things”.

That was not expected. When I think of evil, I think of cruelty, malice, sinfulness, wickedness, depraved, villainous, corrupt, foul.

You get my meaning?

The Bible But let us remember the context. We are at the judgement seat of Christ. The evil has been taken care of at the cross, but now we only have things that were done in the body as a Christian.

Also, Christians can’t be evil. That list of synonyms above cannot consistently describe the believer.

Anything less than “good” at the judgment seat will be delegated to the worthless pile. Kinda reminds me of a pile of wood hay and stubble, but that is a whole different passage, and may not directly relate.

I think this may need some good ol’ fashioned back porch ruminating, but for now I offer it to the gentle reader for their consideration.

How does this relate to judgment? (That is the point of the study Carl!)

The judgment will be based on knowledge of the life lived, and this verse again informs us that it will be a “family gathering”, not a separate meeting with no one around. All will be exposed, for the good and the worthless.

When I consider this situation, for a momentary thought, it is completely and utterly okay.

He is my Father, and the Lord was crucified for me. Will I experience sadness for the loss of opportunity to serve Him. Yes. That is true. I find no comfort in that.

Will my Father hug me when I get home?

He is our Father.

Thanks for joining me in this study. Hope to visit with you in our next post as we look at the Greek term γνώμη which is commonly translated judgment, mind, purpose, advice, will, agree in the New Testament.

Be Blessed.

I look forward to comments and discussion. May the Lord give you an understanding heart and a willing spirit to consider the Bible and all it’s wealth.