Driven by Eternity DAY 22
THE BELIEVER’S JUDGMENT
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10, 12)
I meet Christians everywhere I go who assume heaven will be the same for all of us. They believe judgment is only for unbelievers—that because they have placed their faith in Jesus they have escaped all trials of their own. Their assumptions lead them to believe all believers receive an identical eternal reward. This simply is not what the Scripture teaches. (John Bevere)
Some people are motivated just to get to heaven. Others are motivated by where and how they will live in heaven. It’s no secret, there is a judgment day for believers. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 lays it out, “each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” 1 Cor 3:13.
It is interesting that many people believe that regardless of how we live here, we will all be the same there, in heaven. That seems a bit strange in that our spirit and soul continue to live after this body gives out. The question is, “What did we let God do with our soul before we died?” If that part goes into eternity with our spirit then will our soul be ready and able to think right in heaven then if it can’t think right about heaven now?
Regardless of how all that works, I believe that what motivates our building in this life is what we believe about heaven for this life. The believer who lives in heaven now will be ready to live in heaven then. This life is not about twisting God’s arm but working with God’s hand bringing heaven on earth while we can. The soul that can think and love heaven (God’s presence & passion) now will be able to do the same then.
From the Kitchen Table 