The negative aspects of the Judgment Seat of Christ
“Too frequently, in evangelical circles, the possibility of a negative consequence is simply ignored. Surely, many believe, God would never punish or rebuke or disinherit any of His born-again and adopted sons. All was covered by the cross of Christ so that the only negative that could possibly be experienced would be the loss of reward.”
Jody Dillow, Final Destiny
Most Christians picture heaven in vague, popular ways: clouds, harps, halos, and maybe even angel wings. To many, the afterlife is imagined as one long, endless praise concert in the skies. But if this is all we think of when we think of eternity, we’ve missed something essential—and biblical.
Scripture teaches that believers will stand before Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ (also called the Bema). This moment won’t decide whether we’re saved or not—that was settled the moment we trusted Christ—but it will determine how our lives are evaluated. And here’s the unsettling part: while there are rewards for the faithful, there are also serious consequences for believers who lived unfaithfully.
This series will explore those consequences. According to Scripture, unfaithful Christians may experience three sobering realities at the Bema:
A forfeit of reward
An experience of shame
A season of remorse in the “darkness outside”
Before we unpack those, here are the key assumptions this study is built on:
The Judgment Seat of Christ is distinct from the “Great White Throne” judgment—it is for believers only, and it evaluates the value of works, not salvation.
Every single believer will stand before Christ—not just the especially faithful.
Salvation is by grace through faith alone in Christ alone, but rewards and consequences depend on how we live.
Forfeiting Reward by Unfaithful Living
One of the clearest teachings about the Judgment Seat is that some believers will “suffer loss.” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:13–15:
“If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” (ESV)
The Greek word Paul uses for “suffer loss” is ‹ ζημιωθήσεται › (zēmiōthēsetai), from the root ‹ ζημιόω › (zēmioō). This word appears in contexts of penalty, forfeiture, or loss, not punishment for sin. Scholars like W.E. Vine argue that here it means to forfeit something that could have been gained.
In other words, Paul isn’t saying believers lose salvation—they lose rewards they might have had. As Hoyt explains:
“The believer loses their reward not in the sense that he once had it, but he loses it in the sense that he could have had it.”
Paul’s Warning About Disqualification
Paul uses another striking word in 1 Corinthians 9:27, where he worries about being “disqualified” (‹ ἀδόκιμος › [adokimos]). This term was used in Greek athletic games: when an athlete broke the rules, judges would cry out “Adokimos!”—disqualified, unworthy, no crown for you .
This doesn’t mean Paul feared losing eternal life. He knew that was secure. What he feared was losing the crown, the prize of faithfulness.
What Can Be Lost?
Bible teacher Dr. Joe Wall lists six potential losses for Christians who are careless with their faith:
Missing the joy of millennial rest (Hebrews 3–4)
Losing full participation in their inheritance (Hebrews 6:12)
Missing a special entrance into the Kingdom (2 Peter 1:5–11)
Losing birthright blessings (Hebrews 12:1–17)
Forfeiting crowns (1 Cor. 9:26–27)
Losing eternal honor and responsibility (Matt. 25:14–30)
The principle is simple: what is done in the flesh for earthly gain will result in eternal loss, but what is done in faith will result in eternal gain (Philippians 3:8).
Reflection Question
When you think about meeting Jesus at His judgment—what will be waiting for you in His hands?
