All believers will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:8-10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). At that time each believer’s life will be thoroughly examined by Christ, the divine Judge.
► Can we lose our salvation at the judgment seat of Christ? No. Those who have placed faith in Christ are permanently saved, and nothing threatens that. Believers are eternally secure in their salvation (see John 10:28-30; Romans 8:29-39; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Hebrews 7:25). This judgment has to do with the reception or loss of rewards, depending upon whether the Christian has lived faithfully or unfaithfully during his or her earthly life (see 1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
► Will Christians be held accountable for all their actions on earth? Yes. The Christian’s judgment will focus on his or her personal stewardship of the gifts, talents, opportunities, and responsibilities given to him or her in this life. The very character of each Christian’s life and service will be utterly laid bare under the unerring and omniscient vision of Christ, whose eyes are “like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14). Numerous Scripture verses reveal that each of our actions will be judged before the Lord. For example, the psalmist affirmed to the Lord: “You will render to a man according to his work” (Psalm 62:12; see also Matthew 16:27). In Ephesians 6:7-8 we read that “whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord.”
► What about our thoughts? Will they be judged too? Though it might seem a bit unnerving, the answer is yes. In Jeremiah 17:10 God said, “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” The Lord “will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5). The Lord is the One “who searches mind and heart” (Revelation 2:23). So — all our motives will be laid bare.
► Will the words we spoke on earth come up at the judgment seat of Christ? Again, it’s a bit unnerving to think about, but the answer is yes. Christ once promised: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). Think about that for a minute. If even our careless words are carefully recorded, how much more will our calculated boastful claims, our cutting criticisms of others, our off-color jokes, and our unkind comments be taken into account? This is an important aspect of judgment, for tremendous damage can be done through the human tongue (see James 3:1-12).
► Is the judgment seat of Christ intended as an encouragement or a warning? Perhaps this judgment is intended to be both an encouragement and a warning. It is an encouragement to those who are consistently serving Christ with good motives. It is a warning to those who have fallen into carnal living. God will render perfect justice in the end.