The judgment Seat of Christ

Those who grew up attending a Bible-preaching church likely remember an often repeated and sober warning from Hebrews chapter nine, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." That text is etched in my memory and conjures up sober preparation for the end of life.

I recently remembered Rich, a member of the church staff and organizer of the church softball league. Pastor Rich had some professional baseball experience, but claimed that future major leaguers sent his best pitches into an orbit and never came down! While lobbing a softball toward a waiting batter, if Rich saw that his pitch may make contact with the bat’s sweet spot, he would call out, "Time out!" Or, "Do over!" I have seen batters laugh so hard they would miss the appetizing pitch waiting for their swing.

Another thought on "judgment" is frequently illustrated when news outlets report that a jury has acquitted an accused person thought guilty by the community. We all hope the jury got it right, but sometimes the guilty are freed for lack of "reasonable doubt." One notorious football star was acquitted of murdering his wife, but later was convicted in a civil court where the burden of proof was less stringent.

When it comes to the promised judgment, there will be no "Time outs," or, "Do overs." We will give an account for how we spent our lives. "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." (2 Corinthians 5:10) And, we can expect no acquittals for lack of evidence. The Lord who never slumbers or sleeps is well aware of each deed, each thought, every motivation. That is sobering indeed!