Considering the Bible

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?

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.

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Romans 14:10

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

This first verse brings two words for judgement together. The first term will be discussed in a later post, but is the most common term for judgement.

Vines defines this first term as

those who judge severely (unfairly), finding fault with this or that in others, Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37; Romans 2:1; τινα, Romans 2:1, 3; Romans 14:3f, 10,

The context of this passage is of two groups (Jewish and Gentile) within the body of believers that have different views on food and religious holidays. Some eat everything and consider each day the same (thinking the Gentiles here) whereas some see certain foods as defiling and certain days as holier than others.

In the midst of this difference, love reigned – Ummm not so much! One group was despising his brother, thinking of them as nothing, or contemptible. The other group was judging the first group, condemning them for their lifestyle. Note that this difference in lifestyle was not a moral difference, but in the observation of non-moral issues.

Come with me to the day of judgement. I am standing beside a brother I despised, and a sister I may have judged, and I hear the Lord commend both of them. (See previous post for verse and teaching on this truth).

I don’t know about you, but I will realize my failings in loving the brethren completely at that time. How proud and boastful I will realize I have been. How proud and boastful I really am!

But we have not so learned Jesus, and we are to encourage one another and the more so as we see the day approaching.

The term we are dealing with in this verse is the judgement seat of God. The term describes a location of judgement, a seat or throne where upon the Judge will sit to make declarations of judgement upon the subject before Him. Notice it will not be a separate room where I can discuss my failings and foibles with a manager, such as we may experience in our workplace. This is a family gathering, where I am on display with all of my family.

Remember, that brother or sister you got a gripe with… put the gift for God down, and go to them. Seek reconciliation. Seek forgiveness, even if it is for perceived sins you have committed.

Thanks for joining me in this study. Hope to visit with you in our next post as we continue to look at the Greek term βῆμα.

Be Blessed.

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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.

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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 second greek word related to judging is…

ἀνακρίνω – anakrinō – “examine, judge, ask question, search, discern”

This word is found 16 times in 14 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.

Judged by Believers

1 Corinthians 4:3-5

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Three people are making judgement on one man here.

1. First off, it is the bad selfish divided church making judgement on the apostle – remember the context of this passage – the church is following men, creating the first denominations, and this must disgust Paul.
2. Secondly – Paul himself. Paul refuses to judge himself. Yet I imagine Paul knows himself much better than the Corinthians. It seems things are a bit backwards here.
3. Thirdly, in this passage, there is One who rightly can judge, and it is because He will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness.

Notice a few things

Judgement is based on knowledge, not feelings. The greater the knowledge the better the judgement. The greater the feelings, the greater the possibility of error!

Judgement is dependent on time. Pronouncing judgement prematurely is incorrect judgement.

Judgement is not necessarily associated with anger, wrath or discipline. It may be in some passages, but in this case, Paul mentions commendation from God for each man.

Interesting!

Have you considered that some day, after a life of seeking to please God, and yet in your heart feeling you have disappointed Him and yourself, that God will find commendation for your efforts and actions? Is there a word for that?

• Justice?
• Mercy?
• Grace?
• Love?

Consider what that may mean – that is to be commended by God.

(That slightly blows my mind!)

Thanks for joining me in this study. Hope to visit with you in our next post as we look at the Greek term βῆμα which is commonly translated judgment seat, throne, to set (one’s) foot on in the New Testament.

Be Blessed.

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Double Standard Judging

1 Corinthians 2:14 -16

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Okay – I’ve been waiting for this passage for the entire study. So often I thought I understood it only to find I was wrong. So lets consider what this passage is speaking about.

Some background – Paul is writing to a bad church. A real bad church. A bunch of immature, selfish, jealous, childish, fleshly, strife ridden believers.

These folk were not spiritual. Were they believers? Maybe, but that may not be the point. Paul is comparing the natural man, with the spiritual man. The natural man in the church in Corinth, that is.

Paul states that the natural man is the man that refuses to accept the things of God – they think it is just stupid!. (Ever met a “believer” like that?)

On top of that, he, the natural man that is, is not able to understand the things of the Spirit of God because understanding the things of the Spirit of God requires agreement with the Spirit. Disagreeing with the Spirit of God does not allow for a continuation of proper judgments. Remember , as we discovered in our last post, discernment is a gift of the Spirit based on knowledge of the Word of God and prayer.

Okay – so if this background and understanding is correct, Paul is stating that spiritual persons make correct judgments due to the believer having the mind of Christ (v 16).

It is not an IQ issue, a school training accomplishment, or a personality quality. It has nothing to do with glory for the believer. The believer is to rely on the mind of Christ for his proper decision making skills

The spiritual man bases his judgments / decisions on the mind of Christ, which provides real time guidance of the principles of the Word of God in daily life. (The mind of Christ in my thinking has much to do with an attitude of humility and meekness.)

It is a daily war to remember that our ability to make correct judgement on issues of the day or people we meet is a gift supplied by our Father in heaven and buttressed with a knowledge of the Word.

I can hear you already – Carl we can’t judge people ! But I think you will find that we can (and need to) judge people. Let’s wait until we get to those passages before you make a rash judgement on me!

Thanks for joining me in this study. Hope to visit with you in our next post as we continue to look at the Greek term ἀνακρίνω

Be Blessed.

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Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.