The Judgment Seat

It is a scene so somber set, no laughter to be heard

For Christ Himself sits on that seat, His judgments to declare

Around him stand the heavenly hosts a very solemn sight

And light shines from his personage, in brilliance ever bright

There is no court on earth like this, distinct it is alone

The God of heaven is seated there, upon judicial throne

Celestial choirs will sing no song in purest heights sublime

It is the works that I have done; make no mistake its mine.

I shall not stand for someone else, to borrow or to give

But each alone shall stand right there to get as they did live

And all my past shall rise at last and ne’er a moment miss

There’s not a thing that can be changed, no matter how I wish

The books he then will open, and I shall take my place

In righteousness he’ll judge, no review of this case

Its not that I shall silent stand, God says now give account

Since from the very moment saved, at Calvary’s crimson fount

Oh what will he then judge me, as He reviews my past?

Both on the days so sunny, and others overcast

The times when I once walked with him, in fellowship so grand

The times when I was far from him, upon the desert sand

The matter first attended, so solemn now to tell

Is how I dealt with saints on earth, Oh pray did I do well”

Ah then I’ll see, yes fearful see, I trampled some right down

I wonder, which to whom he’ll give, the glory and the crown

I wished I loved more gentle, considering the sheep

And ever so more kindly, the erring ones to keep

And tolerate in graciousness, their little quirks in life

Instead of isolating them, and causing e'en more strife

And then a second book comes forth, and I with trembling fright

How did I build the church of god, or leave it in a plight

My preaching, teaching study too, I now shall see its worth

God, silver, precious stones are they, or just a lot of dirt.

Now that which will determine, is not what once I thought

For God will test the motives, to see just why I wrought

Then are my works for self-ego, and for appearance too

Or does the love of God, of Christ, come plainly into view

Oh what a very solemn place that judgment seat will be

For noting ever will; be changed throughout eternity

And if I’ve any sense at all. I’ll tell you what I’ll do

I’ll live alone for God above, and stand for what is true

But what if I have motives pure, and sought his will alone

He shall warmly then commend me, while sitting on the throne

You have done well; I’ll hear him say, in deep sincerest praise

And I shall join the glorious throng, and anthems loud we’ll raise

To then be given a garment, a robe of spotless white

And then a golden diadem, to rule with him in light

To be an overcomes, in each and every way

Then I shall sing his praises, in God’s eternal day

R. Jennings

2^nd Nov. 2001