Reason 1: Christian or Disciple? 7 Reasons Why Every Christian Should Become A Disciple

Each Christian will be judged by Jesus at the Bema (Greek for “judgment”) seat to see what kind of disciple he became during his life on this earth.

This “special judgment” is only for Christians and takes into account everything we do from the moment we become believers. This judgment has nothing to do with getting into heaven, but everything to do with rewards or blessings we get from Jesus once we get to heaven.

The judgment that most people are familiar with is the Great White Throne Judgment, where believers/Christians are separated from non-believers, and as a believer you don’t have to worry about this judgment. Believers go to heaven immediately upon their physical death, and non-believers are separated from God for eternity. You can read about this judgment in Revelation 20:11-15. But for now we are focusing on the “Bema” Judgment of believers.

For we (the apostle Paul, writing to the believers, includes himself) must all appear before the judgment (Bema) seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed (rewarded) for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

Note that salvation is assured to these believers in the church of Corinth, yet the loss of all rewards is compared to getting into heaven, as one who barely escapes the fire of hell.

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:10).