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Transcript: Welcome to “5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer.” I’m so glad that you joined us again today as we study the judgment seat of Jesus Christ. Now, if you were with us last time, you know that I take the judgment seat of Jesus Christ very seriously. This is not a small matter. The text that we are using as a key text is 2 Corinthians 5:10—”For we shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, to give an account for the deeds done in the body, whether good or bad.” Each one, it says, will give an account.
What are some of the characteristics of the judgment seat of Jesus Christ when you stand before Him?
We’re going to be judged fairly. You say, well, where is that in the text? Well, this is the judgment seat of Jesus Christ. We’re going to be judged by the one who died for us, the one who loves us, the one who considers us to be His brothers and sisters. He is the one who’s going to judge. You say, well, Pastor Lutzer, will we be able to speak back and maybe tweak a few events? Well, possibly but I’ll tell you what we aren’t going to. Because standing in the presence of Jesus, we will know that what He is seeing and saying is reality. Reality as it is. And there’ll be no question about the fairness of His judgment.
Secondly it’s going to be individual. Perhaps I read the text too quickly, but it says here we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may give an account of himself to God. I’ll tell you if you’re writing down verses, Romans 14 would certainly fit here where the apostle Paul says, “Why are you judging your brother? Do you not know that each one of us will give account of himself (we could also add herself) to God?” When I was in a small Bible College in Canada everyone in the student body sang in the choir. Now there were only about 65 of us. I’m not a bad singer but when I came to certain parts I just mouthed the words. And the choir covered for me. At the judgment seat of Jesus Christ you’re not going to be standing behind anyone. It’s going to be an individual audition. Just you and Jesus standing there. You’ll give account of yourself.
You say, well, I certainly hope that it’s going to be private and not public. Well, I’ve thought about that. There’s evidence from some of the parables that Jesus told that it will be public. But this is what I’ve concluded. Standing in the presence of Jesus, you will not care even if the whole world is watching, because at that moment nothing else will matter except the expression on His face—whether or not we hear the words, “Well done.” Only what Jesus thinks and only His response matters.
Now, the Bible says we’re going to give an account for the deeds done whether good or evil. So here’s a question I know that you’re asking in your mind: Are we going to see our sin? Well, I’m glad that you asked that question because we’re going to be taking that up next time. I certainly hope that you invite your friends to join us and, of course, if you wish to share this with others be sure to do so. We want to thank the many of you who listen consistently. Tell your friends about “5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer.” And next time we’re going to answer that question about whether or not we’re going to see our sins. Tell you this, the answer I’m going to give is very sobering. But as for today—well, you’ve heard me say it before: you just go with God.