I mentioned it last Sunday and again some have asked, “Do we really have to talk about this?” Well, it seems like everyone is talking about eternal places except for Christians. This Sunday we’ll be looking at the words of Jesus as he speaks about a place called Gehenna. Fix your mind and heart on this my friend and always remember - whatever pain you face today will one day be alleviated forever, therefore we live accordingly. "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness." 2 Peter 3:11000 While the place of heaven is unimaginably beautiful, the presence of God will be our greatest joy. So what does our eternal home mean for our current and temporary realities? Paul explains in Romans chapter 8. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18 There is no greater glory than God himself. If you were to meet in Gila Bend, it would be no disappointment to you whatsoever. But for you in that moment of reunion, the place is secondary to the person. Hawaii is a beautiful place and I am sure most of us would love to go there right now. The government has made arrangements for you to meet your beloved in Hawaii, where you would be with them for two weeks before returning home.
Finally, after many false hopes and setbacks, an agreement was negotiated with the enemy and the release of your loved one is at hand. You know this person (your husband, wife, son, daughter or best friend) is alive and you hope to see them again. Suppose that someone you love is a prisoner of war, held captive for many years. Let me give you an illustration to help you understand what this means. The beautiful and peaceful environment is secondary to the person because we will be in the very presence of God almighty. Our eternal residence is described as having streets paved with gold, gates of pearl, life without pain, sorrow, temptation or loss. Until then, be the light so others will see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven! On Sunday, we’ll unpack it and see that it’s really more like the celebration at a graduation, complete with rewards. The thought of being “judged” certainly seems unsettling. And then He will reward us for all that we have done for His glory. Most likely, you’ve never heard of the Bema of Jesus.
Jesus will assess our every thought, motive, and action. When we stand before the Bema of Christ, our faithful service to Him will be evaluated and rewarded. It will be an assessment (not a judgment in the way we normally think) of our stewardship for Jesus. As Paul says in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Again, in Ephesians 1, he makes it clear that, “In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” This is not a judgment which will determine whether we get into heaven or not. So, what’s at stake? The good works we have done as Christians. That’s been settled by the death of Jesus on the cross for your sins. The issue at the Bema of Christ will not be our eternal destiny. Athletes would “appear” before the bema after completing their events, where the judges would ensure they competed according to the rules and then award the prizes for winning. In New Testament times, the bema was a raised platform used by the judges in the Greek games. The New Testament is clear that a day is coming when you and me and all believers must all appear before the “Bema” – what many call the “judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor 5:10). What we do, how we do it, and why we do it are all going to be considered by God on a day when we, as Christians, will stand before Him. You have been created in Jesus with purpose and significance in His Kingdom, to do good works every day for His glory. And this Sunday, we will see that Scripture tells us those everyday good works have consequences in the kingdom to come.
And the way in which God has crafted you determines what He intends for you to do. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) You are the crown of God’s creation! He has taken great care in uniquely designing you.
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