What are the Rewards for the Body of Christ.
When the Body of Christ enters the third heaven we are taken to Christ`s own throne. Here, each one of us will be appraised by the Lord Jesus Christ as to how we cooperated with His Holy Spirit. This event is called the Bema seat of Christ.
Bema Seat.
`Therefore we make it our aim,...to be well pleasing to Him, (Christ). For we all (Body of Christ) must appear before the judgment (bema) seat of Christ.` (2 Cor. 5: 9 & 10)
This is not a judicial bench to dispense condemnation, but rather like the official tribunal in the Greek games where successful competitors assembled to receive their just reward.
From Greek, `bema` meaning a tribunal seat.
Motives of the Heart.
Paul writes clearly to the Corinthian believers regarding this special event. It is a time where the motives of our heart will be brought to light. For when the Lord comes He will -
`reveal the counsels (motives) of the hearts; and then each one`s praise will come from God.` (1 Cor. 4: 5)
Rewards or loss will be determined as to what was accomplished in our lives either under the anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit, or whether the underlying motive was for self - pride.
Building in our Lives.
Paul warned the believers that they needed to be careful as to how they would build in their lives upon the foundation of Christ. (1 Cor. 3: 1 - 17)
`For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.` Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver and precious stones.. (1 Cor. 3: 11 & 12)
Gold - Faith in God. Building our lives with the Holy Spirit, trusting God through all of life`s trials, temptation and difficulties is likened to gold. Gold perishes but our faith is imperishable. (1Peter 1: 6 & 7)
Silver - This is the redeeming work of Christ in our lives. (1 Peter 1: 17 - 21)
Precious Stones - These are all individual and illustrate how we each will have a special lustre, being fashioned into a holy priesthood in Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 2: 4 & 5)
When the Body of Christ enters the third heaven we are taken to Christ`s own throne. Here, each one of us will be appraised by the Lord Jesus Christ as to how we cooperated with His Holy Spirit. This event is called the Bema seat of Christ.
Bema Seat.
`Therefore we make it our aim,...to be well pleasing to Him, (Christ). For we all (Body of Christ) must appear before the judgment (bema) seat of Christ.` (2 Cor. 5: 9 & 10)
This is not a judicial bench to dispense condemnation, but rather like the official tribunal in the Greek games where successful competitors assembled to receive their just reward.
From Greek, `bema` meaning a tribunal seat.
Motives of the Heart.
Paul writes clearly to the Corinthian believers regarding this special event. It is a time where the motives of our heart will be brought to light. For when the Lord comes He will -
`reveal the counsels (motives) of the hearts; and then each one`s praise will come from God.` (1 Cor. 4: 5)
Rewards or loss will be determined as to what was accomplished in our lives either under the anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit, or whether the underlying motive was for self - pride.
Building in our Lives.
Paul warned the believers that they needed to be careful as to how they would build in their lives upon the foundation of Christ. (1 Cor. 3: 1 - 17)
`For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.` Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver and precious stones.. (1 Cor. 3: 11 & 12)
Gold - Faith in God. Building our lives with the Holy Spirit, trusting God through all of life`s trials, temptation and difficulties is likened to gold. Gold perishes but our faith is imperishable. (1Peter 1: 6 & 7)
Silver - This is the redeeming work of Christ in our lives. (1 Peter 1: 17 - 21)
Precious Stones - These are all individual and illustrate how we each will have a special lustre, being fashioned into a holy priesthood in Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 2: 4 & 5)