Question: Sins of the believer at the Judgement Seat of Christ?

Question

Will the sins of the believer prior to conversion be brought up at the judgment seat of Christ?

Answer

If the fact of the forgiveness of sins is properly understood this question will be readily answered. The Hebrew word, translated forgive, means to bear or take away. (Cain’s remark, “My punishment is greater than I can bear,” can equally correctly be read, “Mine iniquity is greater than can be forgiven.”) Similarly the Greek word translated either “forgive” or. “remit” possesses the same thought. Manifestly then, if we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins, such sins cannot be made the subject of later judgment. The judgment of the Cross was final. Sins have been taken away. The Bema, or Judgment Seat, has to do with believers (not sinners), and is the place where they will appear, and there be made manifest in true colours. They will be rewarded for service rendered, which reward will be dependent upon the nett result of the manner in which the life has been lived (see 1 Peter 4. 3). The principle of sin was dealt with by the Lord Jesus when He died – “He appeared to put away sin.” The question of sins was dealt with likewise at the same time. “He bore in His own body our sins.” But the matter of “deeds done through the body” will be dealt with at the Bema. Some of those deeds will be shown to have been good: others worthless: the nett result will determine the reward (2 Cor. 5. 10). Col. 3. 25 indicates that the wrong thing a believer does will surely have an adverse affect upon him sooner or later.