Romans 14:12: So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Since Paul was writing to the Christians in Rome (Rom. 1:7) and included himself with them in the first personal plural pronoun and verb (“we will all stand,” 14:10), “God’s judgment seat” is only for believers in the Lord. What is here called God’s judgment seat is the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:10. Because God judges through His Son (John 5:22, 27), this judgment seat can be said to belong to both the Father and the Son. The issue of the believer’s eternal destiny will not be at stake; that was settled by his faith in Christ (cf. Rom. 8:1). Each believer’s life of service will be under review in which some loss will be experienced (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12–15), but he will be rewarded for what endures (cf. 1 Cor. 4:4–5). This judgment of believers climactically demonstrates God’s lordship. 1
Application
- Salvation is a gift. Serving is privilege. Be a “privileged” Christian.
- Believers will not face a judgement seat of condemnation. But we will give an account for how we lived our life for the glory of God. Therefore, your life matters on earth, and Jesus will talk about it in heaven. Be His servant today.
Prayer
Lord, help me to be more committed towards the things that really matter for all eternity.
1. Walvoord, John F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.