The Measure of True Success
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God (I Corinthians 4:5).
Success can be a relative thing. It really all depends upon who is measuring it. Even the world about us has different standards for determining success; but, ultimately, all true success will be determined at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
There are many activities and ventures which, by social and religious standards, appear to be successful. These are honored, respected and celebrated – but all that glitters is not gold.
The Bema
What is successful and of true value will be determined at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Judgment Seat of Christ is what old-timers often called “the Bema.” They did so because bema is the Greek word used to translate “judgment seat.”
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you set aside your brother? For we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10).
For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it is good or bad (II Corinthians 5:10).
The Meaning of Bema
The bema in New Testament times was a raised platform at the Olympic Games, where the chief of the games stood and placed awards (stephanos) around the neck of all the winners!
For the believer, the Bema is a recognition of what is real and of true value in life. It is about “bringing home the gold.” It is the genuine measure of the success of this life. This success is represented by the lasting quality of gold, silver and precious stones (as opposed to wood, hay and stubble).
Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble (I Corinthians 3:12).
Gold, silver and precious stones represent a way of measuring what has real and lasting value. Often, in difficult economic times, men will use these as the standards of true wealth. At the Bema God will reveal what was of real value in this life. The outcome may be surprising to many.
Love Is Paramount
God has made it very clear what is valuable in life, and love is at the apex of this value. Paul, the apostle, makes the divine case for love as:
a more excellent way (I Corinthians 12:31).
the greatest of these (I Corinthians 13:13).
above all these things (Colossians 3:14).
the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14).
Since love is the preeminent value with God, it should be the object of our lives. We will not be disappointed with love: it truly is a sure thing – it never fails.
Love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8).
Love Is …
The means whereby faith works.
… faith which works by love (Galatians 5:6).
How we are rooted and grounded.
… rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17).
How members of the Body of Christ edify each other.
… edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:16).
The Exhortation to Love
We are therefore exhorted, by Paul:
Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love (Romans 12:10).
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies (I Corinthians 8:1).
Though I … have not love, I am nothing (I Corinthians 13:2).
Though I … have not love, it profits me nothing (I Corinthians 13:3).
Follow after love (I Corinthians 14:1).
… By love serve one another (Galatians 5:13).
… The fruit of the Spirit is love … (Galatians 5:22).
… Forbearing one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).
But speaking the truth in love … (Ephesians 4:15).
… Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us … (Ephesians 5:2).
… Abound in love … (I Thessalonians 3:12).
Love is what is real! God says that it is lasting, edifying, perfecting and profitable. Without this single ingredient of the divine life, we are reduced to nothing. This is why Paul so aptly penned,
And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14).
Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.
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