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.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those 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 dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for 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 just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT 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 be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (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 one 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 any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,  each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so 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.