DM#21: The measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ

Doctrine of the Mysteries #21

The measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ

Paul writes the following to the Corinthians,

1 Cor.3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The above is one of a few passages of scripture that provides us with insights into the judgement seat of Christ; that time after the rapture of the Body of Christ when we are judged according to what we have done in his body (not our body).

2 Cor.5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

There is a lot of confusion and misconceptions about this topic. Most people cling to ideas that originate in the imagination of men rather than getting into the Word of God and finding out exactly what this event is all about. This post is not an exposition on the topic, but rather, it is a simple, factual, reminder of this event and its purpose. 

I encourage you to get into the Word and study it for yourself to verify it.

• This judgement is reserved for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Saviour, that through the gospel message of the cross, His death, burial, and resurrection, they are saved unto eternal life.
  
  
• This judgement event is NOT for condemnation and for judging sin. A believer must understand that their sin was already dealt with 2000-years ago at the cross. You are dead to sin the moment you believe in Christ. At that moment you have been justified by the righteousness of God in Christ. Though you might still fall in sin while in the flesh, your positional standing before God is assured because you are judged by Christ’s righteousness, not your unrighteousness.
  
  
• You are not judged by your good works done here on earth. You are not judged for how you lived, how you spoke, how kind you were, if you went to church, how much money you gave the poor, and how much you prayed, or the sacrifices you made. No! None of these things are judged at this event. It has NOTHING to do with you and your efforts in which you can boast.
  
  
• One can say that this judgement is for reward, and in a sense, this is correct, but reward here has nothing to do with you, your life, or your ‘good’ works. You cannot earn a dime for your efforts at this judgement. Reward is not given for your good works and life. Reward is based on how much of Christ has formed in you through the knowledge of God’s Word. The reward is Christ’s. You will participate in Christ’s reward. The inheritance you get is His inheritance. The measure of glory and position you will be issued with is based on the knowledge you have in God’s Word and based on the degree of the formation of Christ within you. How do I come to this?
  
  First, consider how Paul refers to a specific 'measure' of the stature of Christ in every part in this passage,
  

Eph 4:7-16  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  ...  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

• Second, (based on the scripture above), consider what are you going to be doing in the heavenlies for all eternity? It's not floating on clouds and playing harps! No!! You will be filling positions of authority and rulership over angels and men. As there are thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers right now in the heavens, these will be cast down at the midpoint of the tribulation. At this time, you will be placed in positions of power and glory to govern in your rank under the Head of the Body, Jesus Christ. You will be set over positions of rule, to execute the will of the Lord in the vast kingdom of heaven, replacing the rule and rank of those angels that were cast down to earth in Revelation 12.
  
  
• What is the gold, silver, precious stones? This is the result of how much of the work of God you allowed to shape and form you whilst in this life.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

• The gold could represent the work of God in your life, His justification and righteousness being shaped within you to the extent that you allow. The silver could represent the knowledge of Gods Word within, allowing Christ to be formed within you, the sufferings in life as you walk by His will and Word, the work of planting and watering done in His Body and in the world by His direction and guidance. The precious stones could represent the fruit of the Holy Spirit. These are things you cannot produce in yourself. They come from the presence of the Spirit of Christ within you and bring glory to the Lord.
  
  
• The wood, hay, and stubble, represent varying degrees of the work of the flesh. Everything that is by your strength, your motives, your boasting, your efforts. There is nothing good within our flesh. Our righteousness is like filthy rags before God. Even the good we do will not survive the judgement of fire. Paul writes in Romans 7, “I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do”.

The judgement seat of Christ is so misunderstood. I encourage you to verify these facts above in your personal Bible study. What should you be doing to get ready for the judgement seat of Christ? All I can say is, to be filled with as much of the wisdom of God as you possibly can. The more of an intelligent understanding that you have in the will of God, the greater the measure of glory He can give you in his kingdom. Surely His wisdom is equipping us to judge. You and I, the Body of Christ, are set to reign with Christ in ages of eternity to come. God has not just given us judgment in this world, but the wisdom of God is equipping us to judge in the heavenlies and in the spiritual realm. The judgement seat of Christ is to evaluate how effectively you can speak His will and execute His judgements. The Lord won’t reign for you, He needs you to reign on His behalf in the position you are given.

Consider Adam. The Lord gave him dominion over all the earth. Adam was to reign over the earth. So, to do this, he needed to know the will of the Lord. He needed a connection to Him. He needed knowledge of what the Lords will, and desires were, so he could reign in proxy for the Lord in his domain. The more you learn and know the Lords will, thoughts, desires, and judgements, by studying His Word, the more responsibility, glory, and power the Lord can measure out to you.