Can You Explain The Judgment Seat Of Christ?

2nd Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Notice that the Bible does not say that we will be judged for our "sins"; but rather, for the "good or bad." Jesus took the penalty for our sins upon Himself on Calvary's cross, so that “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...” (Romans 8:1a).

I like to illustrate the two coming judgments by comparing them to our earthly court system:

• The Great White Throne of Judgment will a Criminal Court, where the dead (unsaved) of all time throughout human civilization will be judged and sentenced to the Lake of Fire forever, without hope or rest (Revelation 14:11, 20:11-15, 21:8).
• In contrast, the Judgment Seat of Christ will be a judgment only for Christian believers; a Civil Court where we stand to lose rewards, but there is no risk of imprisonment or corporal punishment (1st Corinthians 3:11-15; 2nd Corinthians 5:10-11). 1st Thessalonians 4:6, “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.” Many saints will suffer shame, weep bitter tears, and have deep regrets in Heaven for their poor behavior while on earth.

So, although there is no condemnation for any saint regarding sins, we still must be held accountable for the GOOD and BAD done in the body. In Romans 12:19-21, God tells us not to avenge ourselves, because that is His job alone. The idea that a Christian can cheat, hurt and defraud others and won't be held accountable at the Judgment Seat of Christ is foreign to God's Word. In fact, God has promised to avenge all evil. I don't claim to understand it all. For now we see through a glass darkly (1st Corinthians 13:12), but when we see Christ we will understand it all by and by.

Celebrity O.J. Simpson was acquitted in Criminal Court (he later admitted in a book to murdering his wife and her lover), but he was found guilty in Civil Court and required to pay $33.5 million in damages (which he never did). In an intriguing twist of fate, Simpson's estate has awarded the Goldman family $58 million from Simpson's estate.

So, likewise, a Christian who has been justified (just if I'd never sinned at all) in Criminal Court, still must give account at the Judgment Seat of Christ for our choices here on earth, and we will be rewarded accordingly. It is noteworthy to point out that in both cases, for the saved (Revelation 14:13) and the unsaved (Revelation 20:13) alike, we will be judged ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS. The big difference is that the saved will be judged for our works as the redeemed children of God; whereas the unsaved (the damned) will be judged for their works as the children of the Devil.

Christ took our punishment upon Himself on the cross, so we will not be punished for our foolish decisions; but we will be held accountable, which will affect our eternal rewards. The same precious blood of Jesus that saved us, keeps us saved. When we sin we have an Advocate (defense attorney) with the Father, Jesus the righteous (1st John 2:1). As believers we fall IN GRACE (Romans 5:20, 6:1), but never FROM GRACE. Those who trust in Lordship Salvation and turning from their sins (works) to get to Heaven, have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4).

So, kindly said, Pastor Jack Hyles is simply saying that we must all give account to God at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” The Bible doesn't mention "sin," it just says we will be held accountable for the "good or bad" (2nd Corinthians 5:10). Those people today who claim that since all of our sins were forgiven at the time of salvation, so that we will never have to give account to God, are very wrong and misled.

In my humble opinion, the illustration of Civil Court versus Criminal Court is helpful to understand the two future judgments. In Civil Court you're not at risk of going to prison (Hell), but you are at risk of monetary losses (rewards). And some harsh words may be spoken by the judge in a Civil Court (Psalms 6:1). Some people do cry, feel ashamed and have regrets in Civil Court. I hope that is helpful my friend.