Servias Ministries Blog

What will Jesus use to reference when evaluating our lives?

Our fruitfulness must be based on the foundation of Christ.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Corinthians chapter 3:

11  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Any work or fruit that survives the fire of judgment will be rewarded. Any work that burns in the fire will be considered a loss. The test will be conducted as a “baptism of fire” to prove its worthiness.

The fleshly things will be burned, and the Spiritual things will be rewarded. There is only one set of building materials that will withstand the fire—the things that the Holy Spirit not only prompts in our lives but also does in our lives—the gold, silver, and precious stones. The fleshly things—the wood, hay, and stubble—will feed the fire.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2^nd Timothy chapter 2:

20  But in a Great House there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, Love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

And in Galatians chapter 6:

7  God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest.

8 The harvest you reap reveals the seed that you planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting Life of the Spirit.

9 And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!

10 Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith!

“Good works” are those words, deeds, and actions that are not only prompted by the Holy Spirit, but also performed through the power of His Spirit.  If, however, our works are done with the self-centered motive of being seen by men and applauded by them, then that becomes its own reward. There will be none other.  Unconditional Love should be at the core of our motivation.

In Colossians chapter 3:

23   Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord Himself and not merely for others.

24 For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One!

25 A disciple will be repaid for what he has learned and followed, for God pays no attention to the titles or prestige of men.

Unfruitful branches are cut off from the Vine.  We must pay close attention to the resulting fruit of our lives and repent of those words and acts which will not pass the test of FATHER’S Justice.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Psalm chapter 89:

14   Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your Throne; Mercy and Truth go before Your Face.

My recommendation- be quick to repent of unfruitful words and works.  Christ shall reward every man according to his work.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 16:

27 I, the Son of Man, will one day return with My messengers and in the splendor and majesty of my Father. And then I will reward each person according to what they have done.

What will Jesus look at during our evaluation?

Our Eternal destiny is never in question at the Judgment Seat of Christ!

The Judgment Seat of Christ will be for revealing and rewarding the kind of Christian life the believer has lived—a spiritual life with fruits of righteousness or a carnal life with very few good deeds. This judgment will be on the basis of a believer’s works only.

What’s being weighed is our worthiness, our qualifications, our fitness, our readiness, and our preparation for positions or levels of responsibility in the future kingdom.  Our justification is never in jeopardy. We are Eternally secure in that respect.

This judgment is where our works will go through the refining test of fire and the Lord will search our hearts and minds and expose the truth.  This is also the time that each of us will give an account of our faithfulness, our obedience, and our perseverance.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 14:

12 Therefore, each one must answer for himself and give a personal account of his own life before God.

We will be evaluated on the basis of what we did with the time, the talents, and the treasures that we were given here on earth

And in 1^st Timothy chapter 5:

24   The sins of some people stand out and are well known. Yet there are others whose sins are not as obvious, but the Truth of who they really are will eventually be seen and will bring them judgment.

25 It is the same way with good works, even if they are not known at first, they will eventually be recognized and acknowledged.

In the parable of the ten talents, the Judgment Seat of Christ is where the reward of “entering into the joy of the Lord” or the loss of being cast into the darkness outside the Throne Room is pronounced.

The Beloved Disciple wrote in 1^st John chapter 1:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Unconfessed sin will be judged because it quenched God’s Spirit and prevented any “works of righteousness” from being produced. Because these carnal believers didn’t apply the above passage in order to cleanse their lives, they quenched God’s Spirit in their hearts and, consequently, no “fruit” could be produced.

Our Heavenly Father is not only a Loving God, He is also a just God. His Love brings us to Him as a gift, but His justice demands a review of our lives—every thought, word, and deed, whether good or bad.  Be assured, we will be evaluated.

The following might be a good self-assessment test:

Did we Love Him and Love others? (Matthew 22:37–39)

 Did we walk by the Spirit, showing forth His Life, His Love, Wisdom, and power? Were we “fruit-bearing?” (John 10:10)

Did we make choices to follow God, regardless of our feelings?

Did we Love our enemies? (Luke 6:35)

Did we do everything from a heart of Love? (1 Corinthians 13:1–3)

 Did we stay yielded, so that He could be strong through us? (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

Did we do everything for His glory? (Matthew 6:1–6)

Did we follow the Spirit’s leading and feed the poor and visit those in prison? (Matthew 25:35–36, 40)

Did we seek His will and not our own? (John 5:30)

Did we always have a servant’s heart? (Matthew 20:25–27)

Did we continually deny ourselves, follow Christ, and put others first? (Titus 2:12; Luke 9:23)

Did we witness for Him with our lives? (Daniel 12:3; 2 Peter 1:2–11)

Did we preach the Gospel in and out of season? (Matthew 28:19–20)

Did the fruit from our lives remain? (John 15:16)

All of God’s future blessings will be determined by our faithfulness and our obedience to do His Will here and now. Therefore, our inheritance, position, and privileges in the coming kingdom are all still at stake.

All believers will be judged in Heaven by His Love and justice.

The first judgment occurs at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2^nd Corinthians chapter 5:

9  Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

10 For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

11   Since we are those who stand in Holy awe of the Lord, we make it our passion to persuade others to turn to Him. We know that our lives are transparent before the God Who knows us fully, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences.

It is essential for our understanding of what we are to expect once we are taken up to Heaven.  Many believers solely rely on grace to conduct their own priorities yet there will be an assessment of what we did here on earth In HIS Name.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2^nd Timothy chapter 2:

10   Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with Eternal glory.

11-13  This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.

If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

This judgment Seat is God’s gateway to the Millennial reign.  In chapter 4, Paul continues:

1  Timothy (and us), in the Presence of our Great God and Our Lord Jesus Christ, the One Who is destined to judge both the living and the dead by the revelation of His Kingdom—I solemnly instruct you to

2 proclaim the Word of God and stand upon It no matter what! Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. Preach in the full expression of the Holy Spirit—with Wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people.

As well, Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Peter chapter 4:

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Paul makes it explicitly clear in Romans chapter 14:

10  But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

11 For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

There is nothing hidden from God and HE has HIS Book of Remembrance for each of us.  However, the Blood of Jesus Christ does blot out our past as we repent.  Still, there is the issue of fruitfulness that will be evaluated.

Paul brings this to light in 1^st Corinthians chapter 4:

3   But personally, I’m not the least bit concerned if I’m judged by you or any verdict I receive from any human court. In fact, I don’t even assume to be my own judge,

4 even though my conscience is clear. But that doesn’t mean I stand acquitted before the Lord, for the only Judge I care about is Him!

When the Lord makes His appearance, He will bring all that is hidden in darkness to light and unveil every secret motive of everyone’s heart. Then, when the whole Truth is known, each will receive praise from God.

Many believers do not like to hear that there is going to be an accounting and a judging of ourselves (not only for the good things we have done, but also for the bad). Those who are deemed “worthy (“those who are prepared and fit”), will inherit blessings and privileges (Colossians 3:24). Those who are found not worthy will suffer loss.

1st Corinthians 3:13–15 tells us, “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 (of reward , positions of responsibilities, and privileges); but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Don’t let your mindset keep you in a small place.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Thessalonians chapter 4:

16  For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these Truths.

Over the years, I have heard many interpretations, especially allegorical or symbolic in nature.  The problem is such interpretations seem to limit Jesus in the actual act of descending, even though there is no problem with Him literally ascending on the third day.  Is it any more difficult for Him to cause both the dead and the living to ascend to Heaven at that time?  I say “No”.

The true church will be spared the seven years of tribulation on earth.  The following verses clarify this:

14   For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who died while believing in Him.

15 This is the Word of the Lord: we who are alive in Him and remain until the Lord appears will by no means have an advantage over those who have already died, for both will rise together.

The catching away (harpazo) is based on FATHER’S unconditional Love, not man’s viewpoint or opinion.  This catching away denotes removal by force or action.  See Matthew 11:12, Matthew 13:19, John 6:13, John 10:12, 28, 29, Philip in Acts 8:39 where the eunuch saw him no more, Paul caught up to the third heaven.in 2^nd Corinthians 12:2, 4, Revelation 12:5.  Clearly, the usage denotes removal from a particular place or state. 

This takes care of any thought of a “partial Rapture.” We are all going to be caught up together in the air and we are all going to be with Him forever!  This is the time we will receive our glorified bodies and, finally, be freed from the presence of sin.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Daniel chapter 12:

1  “At that time, the great angel-prince, Michael, protector of your people, will take his stand. It will be a time of great distress, the worst trouble your nation has ever known. When that time comes, your own people will be spared—all those whose names are found written in the Book of Life.

2 “Multitudes of those who are sleeping in the Land of Dust will awaken, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

3 Those who are wise will shine radiantly as the sky at midday. And those who turn many to the way of righteousness will shine brightly as stars for all eternity.

4 “And you, Daniel, must guard these Words and keep the scroll sealed until the time of the end. Many will go here and there, and knowledge will continue to increase.”

Knowledge is increasing at a very rapid pace.  There are many end-times signs mentioned by Jesus.  The five wise virgins were prepared for the Bridegroom’s arrival to take His bride away… He was not staying.