What is the BEMA judgment?
Answer: The BEMA judgment is the term used to refer to the judgment that Christian will face after the Rapture. The main New Testament text is 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. (Also see 2 Co. 5:9-10; Ro. 14:10-12). The name BEMA is taken from the Ancient Greek Olympics where winning athletes were given their rewards. In these athletic games those who finished well were given reward based on their achievements. Those athletics were awarded a prize, first, second or third place based on their accomplishment in the game. The judgment of Christ is similar because it is the place where their accomplishments in living for the Lord and serving Him are acknowledged. The BEMA is not a judgment of condemnation, but the judgment where the Lord will reward faithful Christians. All believers will finish the race, but will not receive the same reward. Those who lived by faith and whose lives honored the Lord will be rewarded accordingly.
1 Corinthians 3:11-14 presents this judgment as a Christians works being placed in a refining fire. The fire will burn off the dross or that which is worthless and leave that which is of value. The "wood, hay, and stubble" are associated with the works of a believer that are temporal and done in the flesh and not under the direction and filling of the Holy Spirit. These "works" will be burned up in the fire and the believer will receive no reward. The fire will consume that done in a Christian's life that was done apart from faith. (See Heb. 11:6)
The gold, silver, and precious stones denote works that are eternal and done in faith, as the believers was filled with Holy Spirit. (See Eph. 5:18). These works are those that honored the Lord and were done in His power. It is not the size or amount of a believer's labor that is rewarded, but its value before God which is important. A faithful Christian of course is not perfect and will have works that are burned in the fire, but he should be faithful to the Lord so there will be much gold, silver and precious stones, symbolizing faithful works for the Lord.
Some things which are "gold, silver, and precious stones" are faithful church attendance, (1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 10:25; 13:7,17); being a loving, providing husband (Eph. 5:25; 1 Tim. 5:8); being a submissive, serving wife (Eph. 5:22; Tit. 2:4); being an obedient child (Eph. 6:1); Gospel preaching and world evangelization (Mark 16:15); training children in the way of God (Prov. 22:6); being filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18); seeking God (Heb. 11:6; Prov. 8:34-35); sacrificing for Christ (Mark 10:29); approving excellent things (Phil. 1:10); being pure in spirit and body (2 Cor. 7:1).
There will also be a loss of reward at this judgment for Christians. The loss will NOT be salvation (1 Cor. 3:15) or one's riches in Christ (1 Peter 1:3,4; Rom. 8:18; Col. 3:4). The loss will be crowns; reigning positions which means positions of service to the Lord throughout eternity (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:25-26; 3:21; 20:4). No one who appears at this judgment will lose their salvation for poor service; but WILL lose rewards and suffer shame as he stands before the Lord Jesus and has little or no faithful works to honor Him with. (1 Cor. 3:15; 1 John 2:28; 2 John 8).
Salvation is not gained through faithful service, but through faith in the blood of Christ (Rom. 3-4; Eph. 2:8-9). For the Christian, the judgment of God's wrath upon his sin is forever past and he stands justified by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Our sins were poured out upon the Savior on Calvary (John 3:18,36). I have an article at https://bible-truth.org/assuran2.html which explains that a believer is eternally saved and will not lose their salvation.
It is God's nature to be gracious (Psa. 103:8-14), and His marvelous, free grace in Jesus Christ will be manifest in the believer's judgment. There will be Christians there as 1 Corinthians 3:15 says with no reward and nothing to honor the Lord with because they wasted their lives. Yet, Christ is still merciful and will save His children. Once a person becomes a child of God they are eternally a part of God's family having received everlasting life. The Judgment Seat of Christ (BEMA) is one of the greatest motivations in the Christian life. It should motivate the Christian to live spiritual lives for the Lord (1 Cor. 3:1-3), to be busy (1 Cor. 3:9,10), and to be faithful (1 Cor. 4:2-4). The greatest motivation for a Christians is being grateful to the Lord for His suffering and sacrifice for us that makes salvation possible.
The BEMA judgment is only for Christians and the unsaved will be judged later after the Millennium at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15.