How can these verses be reconciled with the fact that Christians will be judged (though not condemned) concerning all their thoughts, deeds, and actions? Don't misunderstand, I know that the purpose of such is to show evidence that we were, in fact, saved by Christ with saving faith. I was just wondering if one could reconcile the above passages, with the passages that show all that is hidden will be revealed, whatever was done in the darkness will be brought to light, etc.
The only thing I can think of off hand is:
1. That God is not capable of forgetting, and that the language used in the above passages is anthropomorphic and symbolic...i.e. he forgets our sin insofar as them being used for condemnation.
How can these verses be reconciled with the fact that Christians will be judged (though not condemned) concerning all their thoughts, deeds, and actions? Don't misunderstand, I know that the purpose of such is to show evidence that we were, in fact, saved by Christ with saving faith. I was just wondering if one could reconcile the above passages, with the passages that show all that is hidden will be revealed, whatever was done in the darkness will be brought to light, etc.
The only thing I can think of off hand is:
1. That God is not capable of forgetting, and that the language used in the above passages is anthropomorphic and symbolic...i.e. he forgets our sin insofar as them being used for condemnation.
Thoughts?
Christ stands in our place at the last judgement. Vindication will be complete. Each individual believer brought to the bar of justice is already aquitted becasue of Christ. The law will thunder against him, the devil, their conscious will accuse them, yet to no avail.
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [9] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
__________________
N. Robert; Trinity Reformed Church RCA, Holland MI
Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right."
Nic, though I appreciate your feedback, Christ will be the judge at the last judgment. Also, there are passages in Scripture that say we will give account for every careless word, that what has been whispered in the darkness will be shouted from the rooftops, etc. I'm asking then, specifically, other than the small explanation I proposed, in light of the fact that all men will be judged concerning the deeds done in the body (whether good or bad) , what do the verses mean that intimate God has "forgotten" our sin?
Forgetting them judicially I would think. Overlooking them.
We are not punished for sins because we go to heaven and this involves no punishment, but we give an account for our careless words and deeds by our rewards in heaven and get rewarded less.
Person A is a child of God but inconsistent. He goes to heaven, but is rewarded far less than person B, who lived more consistently. Person A might even be reminded of his carelessness and have his sins brought to mind at the Jugment, but God is STILL forgetting person A's sins in punishment because he is in heaven,after all and his sins are thus judicially overlooked.
__________________
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Nic, though I appreciate your feedback, Christ will be the judge at the last judgment. Also, there are passages in Scripture that say we will give account for every careless word, that what has been whispered in the darkness will be shouted from the rooftops, etc. I'm asking then, specifically, other than the small explanation I proposed, in light of the fact that all men will be judged concerning the deeds done in the body (whether good or bad) , what do the verses mean that intimate God has "forgotten" our sin?
I do not know how it will play out within the triune Godhead. But Christ stands in our stead.
So those verses apply and dont apply to believers. They apply in the fact that all will face a final judgement. The elect are not condemned so those verses have no bearing on those in Christ. They will be completely vindicated
Gill:
And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more; by which are meant all kind of sin, original and actual; sins before and after conversion; every sin but that against the Holy Ghost, and that God's covenant people are never guilty of; these God remembers no more; he casts them behind his back, and into the depths of the sea, so that when they are sought for, they shall not be found; God will never charge them with them, or punish them for them: this is another phrase to express the forgiveness of sins, and distinguishes the new covenant from the old one, or the former dispensation; in which, though there were many typical sacrifices, and a typical removal of sin, yet there was a remembrance of it every year.
“I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12 and 10:17).
Ver. 17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
See Gill on "Heb 8:10". The words are cited to a different purpose here than there; the principal thing for which they are cited here, is to observe God's promise of non-remembrance of sin; which is no other than remission of sin, and which is not consistent with legal sacrifices, in which there is a remembrance of sin every year, Heb 10:3 and consequently, since this new covenant has taken place, legal sacrifices must be abolished, as the apostle argues in the next verse. In one of Beza's copies are inserted, at the, beginning of this verse, these words, "then he said", which seem necessary to answer to the last clause of Heb 10:15.
Ver. 18. Now where remission of these is,.... That is, of these sins; and that there is remission of them, is evident from this promise of the covenant, just now produced; from God's gracious proclamation of it; from the shedding of Christ's blood for it; from his exaltation at the Father's right hand to give it; from the Gospel declaration of it; and from the several instances of persons favoured with it:
there is no more offering for sin; there may be other offerings, as of praise and thanksgiving, but none for sin; "there is no need", as the Syriac version; or there is not required, as the Arabic version; there is no need of the reiteration of Christ's sacrifice, nor will he be offered up any more, nor of the repetition of legal sacrifices, nor ought they to continue any longer. The Jews themselves say {w}, that
"in the time to come (i.e. in the times of the Messiah) all offerings shall cease, but the sacrifice of praise.''
And one of their writers says {x}, when
"the King Messiah, the son of David, shall reign, there will be no need of hrpk, "an atonement", nor of deliverance, or prosperity, for all these things will be had;''
2 Corinthians 5:10
Ver. 10. For we must all appear,.... This is a reason why the saints are so diligent and laborious, so earnest and intent upon it, to be accepted of the Lord, because they must stand
before the judgment seat of Christ; who is appointed Judge of the whole earth, who is every way qualified for it, being God omnipotent and omniscient; and when he comes a second time will sit upon his great white throne, a symbol of purity and integrity, and will enter on this work, and finish it with the strictest justice and equity: and before him "we must all appear"; all the saints as well as others, ministers and people, persons of all ranks and conditions, of every nation, age, and sex; there will be no avoiding this judgment, all "must appear", or "be made manifest"; they will be set in open view, before angels and men; their persons, characters, and actions, even the most secret will be:
that everyone may receive the things done in his body; which he has performed by the members of the body as instruments thereof, or whatsoever he has done whilst in the body; and so this not only reaches to words and actions, but includes all the secret thoughts of the mind, and counsels of the heart, which will be made manifest: and when it is said, that "everyone shall receive" these; the meaning is, that he shall receive the reward of them,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad; the reward of good works will be of grace, and not of merit: good works will be considered at the last judgment, not as causes of eternal life and happiness, to which the saints will be adjudged; but will be produced in open court as fruits of grace, and as evidences of the truth of faith, which will justify the Judge in proceeding according to what he himself, as a Saviour, has said,
__________________
N. Robert; Trinity Reformed Church RCA, Holland MI
Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right."
I do not know how it will play out within the triune Godhead. But Christ stands in our stead.
And I agree wholeheartedly that Christ is our advocate. However, He will also be the Judge at the Last Judgment.
Quote:
So those verses apply and dont apply to believers. They apply in the fact that all will face a final judgement. The elect are not condemned so those verses have no bearing on those in Christ. They will be completely vindicated
So what does it mean in 2 Cor. 5:10 when Paul says we will ALL stand before the judgment seat of Christ and have to give an account for the deeds we've done in the body, both good and BAD? That seems applicable to the believer...just not for the purpose of condemnation.
Quote:
Gill:
And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more; by which are meant all kind of sin, original and actual; sins before and after conversion; every sin but that against the Holy Ghost, and that God's covenant people are never guilty of; these God remembers no more; he casts them behind his back, and into the depths of the sea, so that when they are sought for, they shall not be found; God will never charge them with them, or punish them for them: this is another phrase to express the forgiveness of sins, and distinguishes the new covenant from the old one, or the former dispensation; in which, though there were many typical sacrifices, and a typical removal of sin, yet there was a remembrance of it every year.
“I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12 and 10:17).
Ver. 17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
See Gill on "Heb 8:10". The words are cited to a different purpose here than there; the principal thing for which they are cited here, is to observe God's promise of non-remembrance of sin; which is no other than remission of sin, and which is not consistent with legal sacrifices, in which there is a remembrance of sin every year, Heb 10:3 and consequently, since this new covenant has taken place, legal sacrifices must be abolished, as the apostle argues in the next verse. In one of Beza's copies are inserted, at the, beginning of this verse, these words, "then he said", which seem necessary to answer to the last clause of Heb 10:15.
Ver. 18. Now where remission of these is,.... That is, of these sins; and that there is remission of them, is evident from this promise of the covenant, just now produced; from God's gracious proclamation of it; from the shedding of Christ's blood for it; from his exaltation at the Father's right hand to give it; from the Gospel declaration of it; and from the several instances of persons favoured with it:
there is no more offering for sin; there may be other offerings, as of praise and thanksgiving, but none for sin; "there is no need", as the Syriac version; or there is not required, as the Arabic version; there is no need of the reiteration of Christ's sacrifice, nor will he be offered up any more, nor of the repetition of legal sacrifices, nor ought they to continue any longer. The Jews themselves say {w}, that
"in the time to come (i.e. in the times of the Messiah) all offerings shall cease, but the sacrifice of praise.''
And one of their writers says {x}, when
"the King Messiah, the son of David, shall reign, there will be no need of hrpk, "an atonement", nor of deliverance, or prosperity, for all these things will be had;''
2 Corinthians 5:10
Ver. 10. For we must all appear,.... This is a reason why the saints are so diligent and laborious, so earnest and intent upon it, to be accepted of the Lord, because they must stand
before the judgment seat of Christ; who is appointed Judge of the whole earth, who is every way qualified for it, being God omnipotent and omniscient; and when he comes a second time will sit upon his great white throne, a symbol of purity and integrity, and will enter on this work, and finish it with the strictest justice and equity: and before him "we must all appear"; all the saints as well as others, ministers and people, persons of all ranks and conditions, of every nation, age, and sex; there will be no avoiding this judgment, all "must appear", or "be made manifest"; they will be set in open view, before angels and men; their persons, characters, and actions, even the most secret will be:
that everyone may receive the things done in his body; which he has performed by the members of the body as instruments thereof, or whatsoever he has done whilst in the body; and so this not only reaches to words and actions, but includes all the secret thoughts of the mind, and counsels of the heart, which will be made manifest: and when it is said, that "everyone shall receive" these; the meaning is, that he shall receive the reward of them,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad; the reward of good works will be of grace, and not of merit: good works will be considered at the last judgment, not as causes of eternal life and happiness, to which the saints will be adjudged; but will be produced in open court as fruits of grace, and as evidences of the truth of faith, which will justify the Judge in proceeding according to what he himself, as a Saviour, has said,
I don't really take issue with Gill here, except I think he's not being clear as to the fact that Christians' sins will also be shown here. I do believe that all our sins will be made known, but not for the purpose of punishment/condemantion.
Thanks for the interaction. As I have before believed, I think that the Christian will stand before the Judgment Seat, and his deeds will be shown, good and bad. However, those "good" things are the evidence that he did, in fact, experiencing saving faith. But I still think, as the Scriptures seem to intimate, that all deeds will be brought up. Thus, in congruence with some folks I counseled with privately, that God forgets the Christian's sin insofar as them being used as a means of condemnation.
I like what Geoff Thomas has said concerning this:
John Newton, the hymn-writer who wrote 'Amazing Grace', was the supreme Christian letter-writer. The six volumes of his works have been reprinted and in the very first volume there is a fine biography, and then one helpful letter after another. In the third letter a Christian writes to him and quotes this text of ours and he asks Newton, "Will the sins of believers be publicly declared at the great Day?" This is clearly a theme that has troubled Christians from the very beginning. What a wonderfully helpful letter John Newton writes to him in his bracing, lucid, friendly manner. He says, in effect, that we have to acknowledge how little we know about that great day, and that he does not want to "darken counsel by words without knowledge." But after reading our text carefully John Newton is sure of one thing, he says that the fact that we are going to be judged "cannot be designed to weaken what we are taught, in almost every page, of the free, absolute, and unalterable nature of a believer's justification; the benefit of which, as to the forgiveness of sin, is signified by the phrases of 'blotting out,' 'not remembering,' 'casting behind the back,' and 'into the depths of the sea.' The sins of a believer are so effectually removed, that even when, or if, they are sought out, they cannot be found. For Jesus has borne them away: believers are complete in him, and clothed in his righteousness. They shall stand before God without spot or wrinkle. Who shall lay anything to their charge?" (John Newton, "Works," Vol.1, p.150, Banner of Truth reprinted 1985). What great comfort that is! Never forget that.
But what about the fact "that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done in the body, whether good or bad"? (v.10). John Newton says that the though the Lord chooses not to remember our sins he does not and cannot forget anything, nor will we ourselves ever forget what we have done. What have been the sweetest times of our lives in a spiritual sense? Have they not been when we have been aware of our sins and at the same time have known that these are forgiven sins, and we have a deep sense of our acceptance in the beloved? Sinners, yes, but clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Think of the searching sermons you have heard when your sins were brought to your attention. Were not those great unforgettable occasions for you? Think of those occasions of the outpouring of the Spirit in mighty awakenings, when God seemed very near, and the response in some was to publicly confess their sins. That was never encouraged, but the awareness of their vileness constrained them to speak like that. John Newton says profound words, "When we arrive in glory, unbelief and fear will cease for ever: our nearness to God and communion with him, will be unspeakably beyond what we can now conceive. Therefore the remembrance of our sins will be no quenching of our bliss, but rather the contrary" (ibid). John Newton reminds us of the terror of the Israelites when they saw Pharaoh's chariots thundering across the desert towards them. But after the judgment of God fell on them the sight of the same dead soldiers and horses and useless chariots half buried in the desert sands gave them no fear at all. The more they saw the more rejoiced at their great deliverance. "I will sing unto the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously, the horse and rider thrown into the sea." So it is with our sins. I could not bear you to see projected on a screen behind me the sins of my heart and thoughts and imaginations even for these past months. I don't want my wife and my daughters and grandchildren to know what a sinner I am, yet I realise that I know my sins only in part. But that is a very odd reaction on my part; am I in fact more concerned about your not seeing my sins - and you are my fellow-sinners - than I am about how my sins appear in the sight of the pure and holy God? I am more concerned about your disapproval than the living God's! Why is that? Because of pride and self. There can be no other reason. But when I get to heaven I will no longer be bothered by pride and self. It will be rooted out of me. I shall feel no reluctance that men and angels and devils know the very worst of me. I will be before God as a trophy of his glorious grace. "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me: it is high, I cannot attain it." But I have witnessed this spirit in one particular friend of mine. I have been writing about someone in his family, and so I have wrestled with whether to refer to a fall in my friend's life. How can I let other people in the world know about this? The reality of love is that it covers a multitude of sins. I don't want to tell a single person about my brother's fall. So I have talked to him about this, and wondered about mentioning anything of this in the book, but he has said to me, "Geoff, you can say anything about me. I am a trophy of grace." Now that is very great grace in his life. His mind has been brought into accord with the mind of God. The forgiveness for these sins magnifies the immensity of the divine mercy. So it will be in the day of judgment. Our text makes it plain that before the judgment-seat of Christ we are going to receive what is due to us for the bad things we have done while in the body, and yet we shall lift up our heads and cry, "Blessed Judge! Blessed judgment! Blessed rod! It is all true and fair. While I was following Christ I was yet a great sinner, but he laid those sins to my surety Jesus Christ on the cross and has forgiven me them all."
Josh - I concur that Christians will be judged by Christ. I've struggled with the same passages at different times of my walk with Christ. Theologically I have no problem assenting to the fact that we (believers) will not suffer condemnation for our sins (Romans 8). But if we are to believe that there are no consequences for sin we are easy prey for antinomianism. In it's extreme case we are the recipients of Paul's admonition in Romans 6:1-2. The scripture is clear:
Quote:
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Paul is writing to believers. He writes that all believer must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Why? That we may be recompensed for our deeds, whether good or bad. The scripture talks about rewards for believers that are faithful and loss for believers who are not:
Quote:
1 Corinthians 3:14-15 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
The loss a believer suffers may be the humiliation of our poor stewardship being examined at the judgment seat of Christ. The believer is saved and will not enter into condemnation, but I don't believe that exempts the believer from accountability.
__________________
Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
I've listened to a good message by Beeke before on the Judgment Seat of Christ. I can't remember exactly what he says (I'm going to listen to it again in a few minutes on my way to church), but I think he pretty much concur's with what Nicholas says. In fact, from a few messages I've listened to on this subject I think Nicholas's view seems to be the reformed view.
As for rewards, I've heard Bahnsen say that we will be like lightbulbs in eternity. Some will shine 40 watt, some 60, some 100. There will be no dissatisfaction, but some will shine brighter than others.
I think Beeke uses the analogy of a cup. Again, no dissatisfaction, but some will be fuller than others.
__________________
Ryan Barnhart - Pastor of OGBC
Husband to a beautiful wife, Father to two beautiful girls "But by the grace of God I am what I am." I Corinthians 15:10
"I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms. And in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer." - John Paton
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Paul is writing to believers. He writes that all believer must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Why? That we may be recompensed for our deeds, whether good or bad. The scripture talks about rewards for believers that are faithful and loss for believers who are not:
Bill,
Do you believe Paul is writing to believers about believers alone? If so, what bad deeds is it possible that a believer would be recompensed or judged for that aren't covered under the Blood of Christ?
Quote:
1 Corinthians 3:14-15 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
The loss a believer suffers may be the humiliation of our poor stewardship being examined at the judgment seat of Christ. The believer is saved and will not enter into condemnation, but I don't believe that exempts the believer from accountability.
Could this passage of Scripture be in reference to the ministry of an ordained minister and not to believers in general?
__________________
Ryan Barnhart - Pastor of OGBC
Husband to a beautiful wife, Father to two beautiful girls "But by the grace of God I am what I am." I Corinthians 15:10
"I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms. And in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer." - John Paton
Last edited by Barnpreacher; 11-12-2007 at 12:21 AM.
Reason: grammar
I don't really take issue with Gill here, except I think he's not being clear as to the fact that Christians' sins will also be shown here. I do believe that all our sins will be made known, but not for the purpose of punishment/condemantion.
Thanks for the interaction. As I have before believed, I think that the Christian will stand before the Judgment Seat, and his deeds will be shown, good and bad. However, those "good" things are the evidence that he did, in fact, experiencing saving faith. But I still think, as the Scriptures seem to intimate, that all deeds will be brought up. Thus, in congruence with some folks I counseled with privately, that God forgets the Christian's sin insofar as them being used as a means of condemnation.
0For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Josh: We must be very careful here regarding rewards according to deeds/works. The reward for the believer is always more service for the Lord. Not more crowns.
All have to appear before the judgement seat of Christ. Both reprobate and Elect. Deeds have no part in the life of the elect in reference to vindication at the judgement seat. How could they? And who is the evidence for? Are the elect going to die wondering if they will be with the Lord? Paul is speakign about the ministry of reconciliation here.
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Paul says WE KNOW. there is a guarantee by the Spirit of what is to be expected. The message Paul is speaking about here regards the reprobates plea against the elect per se'. For instance, the moralist, the legalist, the sacramentalist will all plea their deeds like those in Matt 7. The elect will plea only the blood of Christ. The 'good' deeds are not used to reward the elect at all, They are as filthy rags. How many are needed to prove saving faith? 10, 20, 30, 1000000000? So when my heart is opened before me at the judgement seat, I will be shown how evil I am, consistantly, yet Christ will stand in my stead. And the elect will yell, "WHo can lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" It will make me shout more, "Worthy is the Lamb" "Worthy is the Lamb" Becasue when sin abounds, grace abounds more. The bigger the sinner saved, the more glory goes to Go.
__________________
N. Robert; Trinity Reformed Church RCA, Holland MI
Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right."
I think Beeke uses the analogy of a cup. Again, no dissatisfaction, but some will be fuller than others.
O.k., I've been listening to Beeke's message before I head to church and he doesn't say some cups will be fuller than others. He actually says some cups will be larger than others. Every believers cup will be filled, some will just be larger than others.
__________________
Ryan Barnhart - Pastor of OGBC
Husband to a beautiful wife, Father to two beautiful girls "But by the grace of God I am what I am." I Corinthians 15:10
"I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms. And in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer." - John Paton
Josh: We must be very careful here regarding rewards according to deeds/works. The reward for the believer is always more service for the Lord. Not more crowns.
Wherein have I put any emphasis or even stated such?
Quote:
All have to appear before the judgement seat of Christ. Both reprobate and Elect. Deeds have no part in the life of the elect in reference to vindication at the judgement seat.
Again, wherein have I stated/implied or intimated such?
Quote:
How could they? And who is the evidence for? Are the elect going to die wondering if they will be with the Lord? Paul is speakign about the ministry of reconciliation here.
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Paul says WE KNOW. there is a guarantee by the Spirit of what is to be expected. The message Paul is speaking about here regards the reprobates plea against the elect per se'. For instance, the moralist, the legalist, the sacramentalist will all plea their deeds like those in Matt 7. The elect will plea only the blood of Christ. The 'good' deeds are not used to reward the elect at all, They are as filthy rags. How many are needed to prove saving faith? 10, 20, 30, 1000000000? So when my heart is opened before me at the judgement seat, I will be shown how evil I am, consistantly, yet Christ will stand in my stead. And the elect will yell, "WHo can lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" It will make me shout more, "Worthy is the Lamb" "Worthy is the Lamb" Becasue when sin abounds, grace abounds more. The bigger the sinner saved, the more glory goes to Go.
I'm not sure where it is that you've gathered that I've focused or even talked about rewards...especially as a not of emphasis on rewards?
I'm not talking about "receiving what is due for what [we have] done in the body, whether good or evil." I'm not talking about lost people giving account. I'm talking specifically about God's elect giving account (as the Scriptures say they will) for all of theri deeds, actions, etc. Yes, yes, trust me, I know that all of our sin was imputed to Christ and He paid the price. I'm not denying any of that...which is why I've stated that I don't believe our sins will be brought up for the puporse of condemnation. Neither will our good deeds be brought up to gain us merit, as our merit is only purchased by Christ. I just wanted to get some insight from others (as I have my own conclusion) as to the nature of the Christian's Judgment insofar as his evil deeds go, in light of the passages that say God has forgotten their sin.
