ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead-and living" (14:8, 9). Moreover, we must give an account of ourselves to God; for "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." (See 14:10-12.) As we saw in our study of "God's Plan of the Ages," only Christians will appear before "the judg- ment seat of Christ," that their works in His name may be judged; and only the unsaved will stand before "the great white throne." Between these two judgments Christ will rule and reign for a thousand years upon the earth. The believer's sins have been judged at the cross, and he "shall not come into judgment" for the guilt of sin. But his works will be judged at "the judgment seat of Christ." In I Cor. 3:9-15 we read that some Christians will be rewarded for the things done for the Lord in this life, whereas other Christians will barely get to heaven, "so as by fire." And all the New Testa- ment teaching bears out this truth. Some will receive crowns; others will "suffer loss"; but all who are washed in the blood · of Christ will be saved. · Now Paul says in Rom. 14: 1-15: 7 that, since "every one of us shall give account of himself to God," it matters very much whether or not he puts "a stumblingblock" in the way of his weaker brothers, whether or not he stands in judgment upon his fellow-Christians. We must give account to God for every deed and every thought. These are heart-searching words, are they not? Again, it is to our o:wn blessing and comfort that, even in this life, we enjoy a clear conscience, not having to feel condemned by unchristian acts or thoughts. (See 14 :22, 23.) That is the meaning of the word "damned" in verse 23, "condemned." The Revised Version so translates it, and the whole context makes it very clear that Paul does not have in mind here the salvation of the soul, but self-condemnation. With what tendernness and patience the apostle closes the discussion of this matter in 15: 1-7! "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please our- [Page 243
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