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 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 mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that 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; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be 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 …every one of us shall give 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 build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;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.  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.