Welcome again to the sixth and likely final part of our series on How To Not Be Taken Captive. This is now our longest running series! But I believe that it’s also one of the most important, because I know it has broken a lot of long-lasting religious chains some of us have had. And praise God that He is using these studies to set people free.
Today we will tackle two more common religious ideas that serve to breed fear and keep people in bondage, as we conclude How To Not Be Taken captive, and allow the truth of Jesus to set us free.
Idea: You Will Be Judged on Your Works as a Christian
This one’s another biggie in most churches today. Many of the believers I’ve spoken with over the years have had a latent fear of God’s judgment. This feeling of fear is sometimes stoked by legalistic preaching and teaching that fuels the idea of maintaining a level of intimidation, in order to “be humble” or to “not be out of balance” — although those terms are almost never explained in detail.
In this scenario, Christians are kept in bondage by never being able to rest in the finished work of Christ, because in this perspective, the work is never truly finished. Believers in this state are walking on spiritual eggshells, under the constant threat of judgment. “Maybe this was wrong”, “perhaps this happened because God is angry with me” — and the worst part of this kind of thinking is that it doesn’t even end when we get to heaven! Once we die, we are told that we face hat Christians commonly call the “Bema” seat… where you will be “rewarded” based on your works — and notice that I used quotes on that term.
Teachers of the Bema rewards doctrine, are typically quick to say that you are not being punished for sins, but that you “miss out on rewards” if you don’t perform well… which is really just verbal and intellectual acrobatics to imply punishment without using that word.
One of the most common scriptures used to support this Bema doctrine view, is 2nd Corinthians 5:10-11:
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 has done, whether it be good or bad.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
2nd Corinthians 5:10-11
Now, on the surface this seems like the Bema teachers are correct, especially the part about receiving things done in the body whether good or bad. However, as we dig deeper into the text, we start to see things more clearly.
A lot of people read verse 10 without continuing on to verse 11, but verse 11 gives us some crucial extra context for verse 10.
In verse 10, we see that we all must stand before the Judgment seat of Christ… this is not just believers, but all people— everyone, everywhere. And notice also, what this is: the judgment seat of Christ. Not the judgment seat of Moses. This detail gives us a clue what the Judgment is truly regarding… it’s not the Law of Moses, not based on our performance… but it’s the Judgment seat of Christ.
Furthermore a study of the Bema seat throughout history, and even elsewhere in scripture reveals that the Bema seat is not a place of rewards as is the popular doctrine, but rather a place of punishment. A few examples of this from scripture are Matthew 27:19 and John 19:13, where Pilate sat on the judgment (bema) seat as he was deciding the guilt or innocence of Jesus. Also Acts 18:12-13, when Paul was brought before the judgment seat (bema) by the Jews in order to accuse him. And again in verse 17, where he was flogged in-front of that judgment seat, (bema again).
So the idea of eternal heavenly rewards being decided based on your performance falls completely apart when examined in more detail.
Returning to our text from 1st Corinthians 5:10-11, we see that verse 11 says Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. That’s a very odd thing to say on the face of it. But Let’s consider it.
The “terror of the Lord” is what they don’t want people to face… that’s why they try to persuade men. These are not believers being spoken of here, but unbelievers; and the judgment seat of Christ is not some kind of crown rewards ceremony, but it is in-fact the judgment that all men must face, just as the verse says.
So what about the phrasing of “receive the things done in the body whether good or bad” in verse 10? Is it talking about works or performance?
No. Consider Isaiah 64:6, and Romans 3:10-20, which make it abundantly clear that our works, and all of our deeds, are insufficient to earn us anything.
You see, we often fail to consider how corrupted that we are in our own strength Jesus Christ is our only good. It is His righteousness upon us, not our own. It is His goodness that we stand in… our own goodness is a fallacy to begin with.
Psalms 103:10, plainly says that we are not rewarded according to our iniquities (in both the positive and negative sense). Our iniquities are not the deciding factor in determining reward or lack of reward (punishment).
You see, those who promote the idea that our performance in any way determines our eternal rewards or status in Heaven, are making two very fundamental errors (please truly meditate and think about this):
The first being that we can do anything that would earn or merit anything good.
And secondly, that God, who already knows the true depth of our corrupted nature, so much so that He sent His own Son to accomplish on the cross what we never could, would then decide to entrust your eternal divine rewards, to your fallen performance of your efforts.
And this again, brings us back to our first point: that the context of the verses which we read speaking of the judgment seat of Christ, are not talking about rewards for good behavior, but instead is talking about salvation.
The only truly good thing that anyone can do is accept Christ. Our only obedience is to be obedient to the faith— which is the truth of Christ. (Galatians 3:1, 1st Peter 1:22).
So, in conclusion of this idea, everyone (believers and unbelievers) must appear before the judgement seat of Christ— and we will all be judged on one single thing… whether you trust Christ for your salvation.
That’s very challenging for many people to accept, and it bursts a lot of religious balloons, because it is crushing to human pride… but there you have it!
Idea: You Need to Wait for God to Move
Oh Boy! If I had one dollar for every time I’ve heard this in connection with prayer, or receiving a blessing or miracle from God, I wouldn’t even need a job! And I could retire right now comfortably!
Most Christians have received this advice to “wait on the LORD” at some point,— especially when concerning big requests, or things that are important to them.
If you’re like me, this advice is especially frustrating, because some big things (such as healing or finances) really can’t be delayed very long— you can’t tell a creditor to just hang on while you wait for the LORD. Likewise, if you’re on your deathbed (as I was years ago) waiting isn’t an option there either.
Isaiah 40:31 is generally the verse that people use when trying to defend the idea of “waiting for God”, so let’s take a look at it:
I But they that wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run, and not be weary; and they will walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Obviously the key word there is “wait” which is the common translation of the Hebrew word “qavah” (קוֹיֵ֤) in this verse. And people use this one detail and build a dogma of needing to wait for God around it.
This is a very subtle trap for many people, as it can cause them to literally wait forever— often wait until it’s too late; all the while trying to act hyper-spiritual like they are “waiting on God” but secretly inside they are becoming frustrated and confused and bitter, because they really do need the thing that they are waiting for. Proverbs 13:12 says that Hope deferred makes the heart sick— and I’ve seen the reality of that verse play out in the lives of people.
If that describes you today, don’t feel bad or beat yourself up… I’ve been there too, I know the feeling, and the confusion, and the pain that this idea can bring… and, I have some really good news— just as with every other captivating idea we’ve seen in this series, Jesus has provided a way out.
You see that word “wait” which I mentioned is the Hebrew word “qavah” — while it can be translated as wait or tarry, that isn’t it’s only meaning in the context of this verse… it can also be translated as bind together which actually makes much more sense when combined with other scriptures. Binding together in this context carries the image of two pieces of steel twisted together, which is made stronger by the two pieces being bound together to form a stronger whole.
In the case of the LORD, He is the strongest one, and by us binding together with Him, our strength is renewed and refreshed, and we are able to run without tiring and to walk without fainting or lagging behind.
1st Corinthians 6:17 says that he who unites himself with the LORD is one spirit with Him.
So rather than Isaiah 40:31 being a passive suggestion to fold your hands and wait patiently, it’s actually an active directive and encouragement to join yourself with the LORD and be renewed. In Isaiah’s time, he was prophesying about the coming messiah— the day when redemption would take place, but for you and I today, we have the fulfillment and reality of that promise!
2nd Corinthians 6:1-2 says:
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
For he said, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2nd Corinthians 6:1-2
Notice that the directive here is to not receive the grace of God in vain. Don’t receive the grace of God in emptiness and futility. And then notice the very next verse… For He (God) said that he heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you…
Well, when is the accepted time, when is your day of help? Many Christians, without even thinking would say that it is sometime later; they instantly relegate all help and salvation off into the future… perhaps even when Christ returns, or up in heaven.
However, notice the second half of this verse: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
I encourage you to receive this truth my friend. NOW is your accepted time. The time for salvation (soteria) healing, provision, safety is NOW!
I want to share with you one further encouragement in this truth. In Proverbs 3:27-28 God’s wisdom says to not withhold good from whom it is due, don’t tell your neighbor to go away and come back tomorrow, when you can give it to them right now.
Well, if that’s the way God instructs us to behave toward our neighbor— why do we expect less from God Himself?
We’ve just seen in 2nd Corinthians 6:2 that day is the day of God’s help, and salvation— today is the accepted time. God is ready to provide now— join with Him — agree with His truth — stop waiting and receive!
Conclusion
I really hope that you’ve enjoyed this series. And I think we’ve all had some chains broken over these last couple of months.
There was one more common idea, which I’ve decided to make into a separate study and not part of this series (you’ll understand why when you see it next week)
Until then. Thanks for continuing to thrive along with me in Christ. And I look forward to thriving with you again next week.
Be blessed.