The Bema Judgment Seat of Christ - Our Final HurdleSample

What is the “fruit” that Jesus will look for? What do you think will be the basis that Jesus will use for considering our works either “good” or “worthless?” Think about it. What is Jesus looking for us to do individually and/or as parts or His Church? What are the works that “God created for us to walk in?” I don’t know specifically or individually but I think it is safe to say that generally they will mirror what Jesus did when he walked the earth as a man and what He said to those He left behind and what they did. He told them things like “Go into ALL the world and preach the gospel.” The Greek word that is translated “go” in most translations has the implication to “go and keep on going.”Or, “as you are going.” It is a continuous imperative similar to the the word “be” in the verse that says “Be filled with the Spirit” that can be understood as “be being filled....” The sense is not that we do something just once and we are done with it but more a practice that we continue and keep on doing. The works themselves, again mirroring Jesus and His disciples and apostles, could be broken into three basic groups each having more or less individual application depending on God’s individual plan and believer’s context of gifting, etc.. We allow Jesus to keep on building the Kingdom of God through us by participating in things like.....

First, they might have to do with salvation of the lost. We know that God cares deeply about that. So much so that He sent His Son to die for it. Jesus didn’t have to die to heal and cast out demons or to raise the dead. He did all that before he died and rose. God allowed Him to suffer and die for the specific purpose of creating the way of our salvation. We can share it or help with it today. The world has never needed it more. How might that happen?

Second, they might have to do with helping other Christians grow and mature in their faith by teaching, encouraging, and discipling them. Growing in intimacy with God in Jesus and His Word with His Spirit is the well worn path used by those who have run their races well in our heritage of Christian heroes and heroines.

And third they could be focused on giving and helping those less fortunate as in Matthew 25:31-46. Generous giving and serving in the name of our Lord.

These actions and their resulting effects could be called “eternal fruit.” A tree or a Christ- follower is known by their fruit. Fruit is the result of “good works” The fruit of the Spirit produces eternal fruit and eternal fruit can be defined as “Lives turned toward God, encouraged towards His Kingdom.” If how we live, what we do and say and how we do it, are led by God’s Spirit in obedience to God’s plan, eternal fruit is produced. Jesus’ life produced tons of eternal fruit, his disciples lives produced bountiful eternal fruit, and we are created to do the same. So, what is God stirring in your heart today? Let’s read from His Word and then share our thoughts.