II Corinthians 5:9-11- Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 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. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
This is the judgement of saved people who are judged for their service, or lack thereof. Paul, in the above verses, says this is going to be a terror! And, if you think you're not going to be there, guess what?
Romans 14:12- So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Now, our sins are forgiven at Calvary. When we ask God to save us, he does! Our sins are not what we are judged on. We confess our sins to maintain our relationship, not to keep our salvation. But, at the judgement seat we are judged for what and why.
Ephesians 6:8- Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
God is keeping tabs. He said to owe no man anything, and believe you me, he won't! God will pay you back for all you've done for him.
I Corinthians 13:13-15- Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Your works go thru the fire. What's done for Christ comes out in the end. That's what you get to keep. What you do for you gets burned up.
II John 1:8- Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
You can lose your rewards. You serve Christ, and then something distracts you or someone...
Galatians 5:7- Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Don't get mad at me! It's Scripture! Argue with God. If you are worried more about what someone else wants or thinks, you're being hindered by a person and you're losing your rewrds.
Not only do you get rewards, but you can also reign with Christ during the Millenium.
II Timothy 2:12- If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:
Luke 19:13, 15-17- And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
This guy worked for Christ, and he got to rule over 10 cities. Where are these cities? They are cities on earth during the Millenium. That's a thousand years that you get to rule with Christ!
Luke 19:20, 22-23- And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
You know what? A thousand years is a long time to live with regret!
So, what can you do?
Hebrews 12:1-2- Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
It's a race- the race of life. And we're suppose to be running it with patience. Things are going to come and distract us, but we're to keep our eyes on Christ!
What if you've already fallen? Get up! It's not how many times your fall; it's how many times you get back up! You've got a race to win. Lay aside the weights (things or people holding you back) and the sins (things stopping you) and get your eyes fixed on him and RUN!
