Halfway through our last phase of this challenge, we pause to very thoroughly and carefully consider the eternal ramifications of our lives lived here on earth.  First and foremost is our decision to accept the gift of righteousness offered to us through the cross.  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Without our belief and acceptance, eternity for us is lost.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).  The life for the unbeliever after death is misery, darkness, and separation from Christ.  (Also found in:  2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 13:50, Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:10, Psalms 145:20, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 20:15, and Luke 16:19-31.)

The life for those who have accepted the gift of grace by faith through Jesus will live for all time in His presence.  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (John 14:2).  We will live with our God and His Son, our Savior, for all time! But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”  (1 Corinthians 2:9).  I rejoice each day in the knowledge of this truth!

However, each believer will not be equally rewarded in that eternal kingdom.  What we receive in heaven at the judgement seat of Christ is dependent upon what we did for Him while we were here on earth.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Our sins are not on the table at this point.  (Isaiah 43:25, Acts 22:16, 1 John 1:9)  They have been forgiven through the blood of Jesus.  What is being discussed at the Judgment Seat of Christ is rather the value of our work on earth.  Paul says in Romans 14:12 that …each of us will give an account of himself to God.

In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 we find out that not all that we did on earth is of value.  Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 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.  If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.  In God’s word we are told what will have eternal significance.  Shouldn’t that be of utmost importance to each believer?  Shouldn’t that be something that weighs more heavily on our mind than earthly concerns?  It should.  Let’s see that it does.

Today’s Challenge:  We encourage you to do something we haven’t done yet on our Forty Day Challenge – some independent Bible study and research.  Go on an expedition in the Word and find what sort of rewards God gives in heaven for our work here on earth.  The Bema Seat or Judgment Seat of Christ is coming.  If you have accepted Jesus as your savior, you will be there.  Do some research.  Do some Bible reading.  Find out what you can do today to impact an eternity of tomorrows.