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Your Eternal Reward: Triumph and Tears at the Judgment Seat of Christ
Face to Face with Christ. No hiding. No opportunity to put a better spin on what you did. No attorney to represent you. The look in His eyes says it all. Like it or not, standing before Christ is precisely where you and I shall some day be, 'for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ' (2 Corinthians 5:10). And while we will not lose our entrance to heaven if we are believers, what we do in our earthly life will determine our standing in the eternal kingdom. There are eternal consequences to what we do.
Jesus will not wink at our disobedience. He does not play favorites. We will be rewarded according to our faithfulness. There is no exception, no special deferment. When God calls our name we will be there. We cannot hide, for God will find us; we cannot scheme to make ourselves look good, for God shall see us. We cannot excuse ourselves, for God knows us.
In Your Eternal Reward , pastor Erwin Lutzer teaches readers not only the effects of the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne, but shares what Jesus will be looking for and how we can use the resources of this life to store up treasures in heaven. This life is training for the next. We are to be learning the rules of the kingdom and running the race to win the prize Christ has promised to His faithful servants. When He calls your name, will you hear Him say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant'?
Jesus will not wink at our disobedience. He does not play favorites. We will be rewarded according to our faithfulness. There is no exception, no special deferment. When God calls our name we will be there. We cannot hide, for God will find us; we cannot scheme to make ourselves look good, for God shall see us. We cannot excuse ourselves, for God knows us.
In Your Eternal Reward , pastor Erwin Lutzer teaches readers not only the effects of the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne, but shares what Jesus will be looking for and how we can use the resources of this life to store up treasures in heaven. This life is training for the next. We are to be learning the rules of the kingdom and running the race to win the prize Christ has promised to His faithful servants. When He calls your name, will you hear Him say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant'?
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
69 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Erwin W. Lutzer
165 books281 followersErwin W. Lutzer is senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Loyola University, he is the author of numerous books, including the Gold Medallion Award winner "Hitler's Cross" and the best seller "One Minute After You Die". He is also a teacher on radio programs heard on more than 700 stations throughout the United States and the world, including "Songs in the Night," "The Moody Church Hour," and the daily feature "Running to Win." He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area and have three married children and seven grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 8, 2019
Lutzer takes us on a journey to the future when each of us will face judgment. He makes us consider the implications that our actions and beliefs here will have on our eternal destination, but also on our time in Heaven. The majority of this book focuses on the Christian at the Judgment Seat of Christ. He shows us the Biblical doctrines about the loss or glory that awaits each of us. It is a fearsome prospect. Then He reminds us that the same God, who says he will judge our every word and action, is the same God who loves us enough to die for us. Lutzer also reminds us that God delights in rewarding those that serve Him, and that those rewards are beyond our wildest expectations.
Then he walks us through many of the things that the Bible promises rewards for. It was challenging in that it made me want to do my best for the Lord in every circumstance. Then it was encouraging because he also showed that the Lord knows and accounts of everything that happens in our lives whether good or bad and will ultimately make it right.
Now, Lutzer is absolutely clear; he is not talking about our eternal destination of either Heaven or Hell. That is dependent solely on our faith in Jesus Christ. He repeats it over and over so that we understand clearly that he is only discussing how our actions in this life affect either our degree of glory in Heaven or torment in Hell. To drive that home, he finishes with a chapter about the judgment that faces those who trust in their own works for salvation. It is a fearsome prospect if left there. Instead, he finishes with a call to abandon our own efforts to earn salvation and accept Christ's free offer of forgiveness.
This is one of two Christian books that impacted my life this year in a big way, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. If you can get this book, please do. It will be an incredible blessing.
Then he walks us through many of the things that the Bible promises rewards for. It was challenging in that it made me want to do my best for the Lord in every circumstance. Then it was encouraging because he also showed that the Lord knows and accounts of everything that happens in our lives whether good or bad and will ultimately make it right.
Now, Lutzer is absolutely clear; he is not talking about our eternal destination of either Heaven or Hell. That is dependent solely on our faith in Jesus Christ. He repeats it over and over so that we understand clearly that he is only discussing how our actions in this life affect either our degree of glory in Heaven or torment in Hell. To drive that home, he finishes with a chapter about the judgment that faces those who trust in their own works for salvation. It is a fearsome prospect if left there. Instead, he finishes with a call to abandon our own efforts to earn salvation and accept Christ's free offer of forgiveness.
This is one of two Christian books that impacted my life this year in a big way, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. If you can get this book, please do. It will be an incredible blessing.
February 17, 2018
Erwin Lutzer has written several best-selling works that are popular among the rank-and-file of Christianity. I consider him a model preacher and as a pastor personally find great devotional value in what he has to say. In this book, he tackles a subject that is, strangely, rarely written about. There is no doubt that the Bible has plenty to say about rewards for Christians and possible loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ. I agree with him that we do much harm to Christians today by dodging this powerful topic.
He begins his book by describing tears in heaven. Besides mentioning that “God shall wipe away all tears” is in the future tense, he really uses this chapter to explain some misconceptions that we have. The first one is something I hear all the time–our sins are judged on the cross and forgiven, so they couldn’t really be brought up later. He makes a great case for separating judicial forgiveness and fatherly discipline. He also explains that there are both degrees of punishment in Hell and degrees of reward in Heaven. He explains future rewards in a way that doesn’t allow us to take any glory away from Jesus Christ. I thought he did a good job with it.
His next chapter was more specific to the Judgment Seat of Christ. Though he well demonstrates the gravity of it, he never becomes too fanciful as some writers do on the subject. The next chapter discusses what we can gain and reminds us that we must remember the positive side of this biblical discussion. Still, chapter 4 helps us see what we can lose. That is an unpleasant thought that cannot be avoided.
Chapter 5 was the best in the book. In it, he described what Christ will be looking for, or really examining what the Bible says we will be rewarded for. The next 4 chapters contain encouragements to positively strive for rewards and a good Judgment Seat of Christ experience. The final chapter explains the Great White Throne Judgment and even encourages those who have not yet trusted Christ to do so.
This is a fine, encouraging, challenging book. I recommend it to Christians everywhere!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
He begins his book by describing tears in heaven. Besides mentioning that “God shall wipe away all tears” is in the future tense, he really uses this chapter to explain some misconceptions that we have. The first one is something I hear all the time–our sins are judged on the cross and forgiven, so they couldn’t really be brought up later. He makes a great case for separating judicial forgiveness and fatherly discipline. He also explains that there are both degrees of punishment in Hell and degrees of reward in Heaven. He explains future rewards in a way that doesn’t allow us to take any glory away from Jesus Christ. I thought he did a good job with it.
His next chapter was more specific to the Judgment Seat of Christ. Though he well demonstrates the gravity of it, he never becomes too fanciful as some writers do on the subject. The next chapter discusses what we can gain and reminds us that we must remember the positive side of this biblical discussion. Still, chapter 4 helps us see what we can lose. That is an unpleasant thought that cannot be avoided.
Chapter 5 was the best in the book. In it, he described what Christ will be looking for, or really examining what the Bible says we will be rewarded for. The next 4 chapters contain encouragements to positively strive for rewards and a good Judgment Seat of Christ experience. The final chapter explains the Great White Throne Judgment and even encourages those who have not yet trusted Christ to do so.
This is a fine, encouraging, challenging book. I recommend it to Christians everywhere!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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November 10, 2021One of the best books I've ever read on the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment.
April 30, 2015
Let’s prepare for that day when you and I will be alone with Christ; just reality and no pretense. Matthew Henry wrote, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.” Let’s begin the journey
There are many misconceptions of judgement day. If you are like me, you do not look forward to being judged. Judgement is a tough doctrine so I am thankful that there is teaching to lay it all out and consider the implications of judgement. After reading this study, I see the judgement more of a death to myself. What is to bring me comfort? That judgement will make all things new and right. At the judgement, our eyes will be opened to the fullness of the truth. Truth that we have denied and have not lived. Whose glory have we lived for will be answered on the day of judgement. Understanding judgement is realizing it is the order of bringing all things to what they were before sin. It is in judgement, we will be fully sanctified. “Besides, it is against the gravity of their sins that their salvation in Christ will be magnified, and not only the grace but the righteousness of God will be extolled in the consummation of their redemption.”
Rewards will be another aspect for all to look forward to. There is a degree of hell and a degree of heaven that your rewards will reflect. Rewards are always dependent on faithfulness. Our faithfulness is the purpose of our trials and temptations. It is there we are trained to rule with Christ and the learning the way of the Kingdom of God. Our rewards are based on the sins we commit and the opportunities we squander. It is only by judge our own sins through repentance and submission, justice will be served thru faith in Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:31-32)
This is tough teaching for sure but it is to make us mindful of what are we living for and how we see God. If we truly want justice, we have nothing to fear.
A Special Thank you to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
There are many misconceptions of judgement day. If you are like me, you do not look forward to being judged. Judgement is a tough doctrine so I am thankful that there is teaching to lay it all out and consider the implications of judgement. After reading this study, I see the judgement more of a death to myself. What is to bring me comfort? That judgement will make all things new and right. At the judgement, our eyes will be opened to the fullness of the truth. Truth that we have denied and have not lived. Whose glory have we lived for will be answered on the day of judgement. Understanding judgement is realizing it is the order of bringing all things to what they were before sin. It is in judgement, we will be fully sanctified. “Besides, it is against the gravity of their sins that their salvation in Christ will be magnified, and not only the grace but the righteousness of God will be extolled in the consummation of their redemption.”
Rewards will be another aspect for all to look forward to. There is a degree of hell and a degree of heaven that your rewards will reflect. Rewards are always dependent on faithfulness. Our faithfulness is the purpose of our trials and temptations. It is there we are trained to rule with Christ and the learning the way of the Kingdom of God. Our rewards are based on the sins we commit and the opportunities we squander. It is only by judge our own sins through repentance and submission, justice will be served thru faith in Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:31-32)
This is tough teaching for sure but it is to make us mindful of what are we living for and how we see God. If we truly want justice, we have nothing to fear.
A Special Thank you to Moody Publishing and Netgalley for ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
February 21, 2015
Christian non-fiction; 1st book I have read by Erwin Lutzer. Great book about the judgment seat of Christ with practical applications for Christian living today, from prayer to work to financial management. Plenty of Biblical references in a straight-forward, easy to understand manner. Highly recommend.
January 28, 2016
Good book - two things I came across that I didn't agree with, but over all he backs his stuff up with scripture and does an over all decent job of presenting the judgement seat of Christ...
January 8, 2024
This was an interesting read, though it seemed to drag on and wander from it's central purpose as it went on. I learned much about the judgmental the context around each one. I did feel that Lutzer extrapolated a lot from scripture and made some pretty broad jumps in places. It seemed like it made our actions here on earth border on legalistic and downplaying God's grace. I'm sure that's not his intent, but the way it came across to me was more depressing at the hopelessness we have of possibly rolling with Christ. And what does "ruling with Christ" mean? That was never answered satisfactorily. Overall worth reading.
January 4, 2023
A great read
This was my fourth book by Erwin Lutzer, and won’t be my last. He has a real pastoral heart for his readers. He deals with the issues of where we go after this life depending on the state of our salvation. Will we go to the Bema judgment (Christians) or the great white throne judgment (non-Christians)?
Hell is not a nice place to end up in when there is a wonderful alternative. Highly recommended!
This was my fourth book by Erwin Lutzer, and won’t be my last. He has a real pastoral heart for his readers. He deals with the issues of where we go after this life depending on the state of our salvation. Will we go to the Bema judgment (Christians) or the great white throne judgment (non-Christians)?
Hell is not a nice place to end up in when there is a wonderful alternative. Highly recommended!
January 12, 2024
Very glad I read this book
I accepted Christ when I was 13 and I’m now 34. I have always thought that all believers in Christ would receive the same eternal inheritance. This book shows very clearly that there is more at steak when we fail to live for Christ. We are forfeiting eternal rewards and positions.
I wish this was given to me years ago because it may have prevented sin that I look back and regret.
Hosea 4:6 “My people perish because of lack of knowledge”
I accepted Christ when I was 13 and I’m now 34. I have always thought that all believers in Christ would receive the same eternal inheritance. This book shows very clearly that there is more at steak when we fail to live for Christ. We are forfeiting eternal rewards and positions.
I wish this was given to me years ago because it may have prevented sin that I look back and regret.
Hosea 4:6 “My people perish because of lack of knowledge”
September 5, 2017
Great Insight/revelation of scripture from Lutzer
Lutzer deserves 5 stars for this book because he does an exemplary job of heightening your understanding via scripture of the 2 ultimate judgments to come, and of knowing which of the two you will face.
Lutzer deserves 5 stars for this book because he does an exemplary job of heightening your understanding via scripture of the 2 ultimate judgments to come, and of knowing which of the two you will face.
January 4, 2026
Overall, a very biblical look at many issues concerning eternity. With some scriptures he seems to speak of losing rewards rather than salvation. Well written.
May 30, 2017
The Judgment Seat of Christ is simply not preached or taught in most churches. What a disservice to true believers! If you know nothing about this subject, then this is the book to read. Erwin Lutzer writes a clear understanding of what it is and how important this event is in the lives of every Christian. During my reading of it, I have had to personally reconsider what I'm doing in preparation for that time. What we do now in this life is going to affect our life in eternity. Please read this book thoughtfully and prayerfully. You will be glad you took the time and make the effort. It is an easy read, but tough to be really honest with yourself.
February 3, 2017
The book covers all of my questions about eternal rewards and the Seat of Justice… It does give a profound and great impact that everyone who is really serious about pleasing our Lord Jesus would be change forever. The author explains the reward system and how to align ourselves with doing good and how it’s resonates with Bible verses and Eternity.
What you do here, not only effects our future but also eternal life… Make your life count, and look for the approval from the Master Jesus…
Love the book.
Provided by Moody Publishers as a complementary copy for my opinion and review.
What you do here, not only effects our future but also eternal life… Make your life count, and look for the approval from the Master Jesus…
Love the book.
Provided by Moody Publishers as a complementary copy for my opinion and review.
August 23, 2016
This is a book I didn't even know I needed to read. As we walk this walk in Christ, He develops in us a deeper understanding of His Word every day. For me, God's sovereignty was one of those lessons - a many-year journey of study. Then came an understanding of Gods holiness! Now, this book, referencing Scripture, delves into the doctrine of Rewards. Christian, you must read this. It simply lights the kindling. Why is this not taught from the pulpit!?
October 23, 2014
Very informative little book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews