On Feb 26, Bob posted a blog (see here) about the fact that Tom Rodgers of Grace Church in Wichita Falls, TX, taught on the Judgment Seat of Christ just a few days before he died. Bob spoke of the many years that Tom, along with Reggie Coe, had pastored the church, and that Tom had been a faithful servant in regards to proclaiming the Free Grace message. Bob ended the blog by saying that it is encouraging to remember that the things we do for Christ with good motives will follow us to the Judgment Seat of Christ.
I couldn’t help but respond to that blog. I want to emphasize the impact that all of us who proclaim the message of grace can have on the lives of others. It will not be until the Judgment Seat of Christ that we will get a clear picture of that impact.
Pastor Tom Rodgers had a big impact on my life. I attended Grace Church from 1981-1983 while I was in the Air Force at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls. Under Tom and Reggie’s ministry I was introduced to Biblical teaching. They went verse by verse through the Bible. They spoke of context. They dealt with background information. They explained how one passage of Scripture could not contradict another. I had never heard any of these things. In fact, when I first visited the church, I found it so strange, so different, that I decided it was too weird and that I would not return. Fortunately, after a month or so I wanted to know more and went back. It became my church home.
It was at Grace Church that I also first heard about the Judgment Seat of Christ (the Bema). I had believed in the eternal security of the believer, but did not know how to answer many questions from the Bible. When others would tell me that you could lose your salvation based upon such and such a verse, I had no answer other than to say, “well other verses tell us we can’t lose our salvation.” I also could not explain to people why works were important in the life of the Christian. The Bema went a long way to answering those questions!
The teaching and message that Tom and Reggie gave me changed everything for me. Because of my experience at Grace Church, I decided to go to Dallas Theological Seminary, the school where Tom and Reggie went. I wanted to be able to explain the Bible the way they did. Their teaching made the Bible so much clearer for me. I wanted to do that for others.
I have no doubt that my presence at Grace Church did not cause much of a blip on Tom and Reggie’s radar screen. Reggie may not even remember me. I don’t know if Tom would have or not after all these years. But isn’t all of that great? They didn’t know what impact they had on me. It is the same way for us. If we are faithful in teaching and proclaiming the message of grace, we may have no idea how it has affected those we minister to, in whatever capacity.
But the Lord knows. At the Bema, all will know and remember.
David Wyatt
Thank you bro. Kenneth! I could say so much about this but I’ll only say praise the Lord right now!
KEN TAMASHIRO
Thank You Pastor Ken,
One thing that stood out to me was ” They spoke of context. They dealt with background information.” …..I agree with that personally because when I understand the Motivations and Circumstances of what is written, it gives me a logical understanding of Why and What was written to those whom it was written to.
I had recently understood that the Wide Gate represented Judiasm and the Narrow Gate represented the Belief in Christ to Eternal Life. …For me, it is not Anti-Jewish for understanding what Jesus taught, but rather it points out the necessity for Jews to Believe in Christ.
Grace and Peace,
Ken Tamashiro,
Alvin
Kenneth said:
They explained how one passage of Scripture could not contradict another.
No contradiction, harmony.
With John 3:16 the only condition is to believe. To believe is not a work (effort). When God sees faith in the heart it’s accounted as righteousness. The believer receives both eternal life and righteousness at the same time. The Holy Spirit regenerates, and the Father justifies, made righteous.
With Romans 10:9-10 When someone believes in the heart/mind they are made righteous. When they confess with their mouth (work,effort) their saved.
The salvation in John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10 is not the same. The belief in John 3:16 is just like in John 3:15 look and live (no effort). The salvation in Romans 10:9-10 Is a born again person confessing with the mouth (effort, work) to be saved.
There is no contradiction if you don’t force your own understanding of Romans 10:9-10 on a childlike verse as John 3:16.
The difference is being saved from eternal condemnation (Lake Of Fire) and being saved from God’s temporal wrath (Rom 1:18 is revealed). To be saved in John 3:16 is to have eternal life. To be saved in Romans 10:9-10 is to be saved BY Jesus life, which is to EXPERIENCE the eternal life you ALREADY have.
These Jews FIRST needed righteousness in the heart before they could be saved by calling on His name (work,effort). God doesn’t contradict Himself. (See Romans 5:9-10 the saving of the saved)
Timothy J Amoroso
We have an awesome High Priest. That is for sure.
Yes, we are not sure if we will endure unto the end. But, that is not reason to give up.
My personal opinion with respect to the Bema, is this, (and, I am a new Christian, so don’t quote me or anything, but here goes):
As long as we are given all the chances we need to succeed at enduring unto the end in faith and in obedience to Christ, and as long as we keep plugging at it, constantly looking to Jesus for more of his grace, more of his mercy and more of his help, I believe, though we may fail today, eventually, we will be rewarded at the Bema.
Yes, it would be wonderful if the Lord came back today. I want that more than anything right now. But if he doesn’t, I am confident, If we look to Jesus for the help we need, in whatever trial we may be in today no matter how dark or difficult our situation gets, he will give us the aid we need in that situation. We just need to ask, and not waiver, but have faith that he will give us what we are requesting. Never give up, brethren! Never give up! God bless.