Are believers judged for their sin at the bema seat?
No. The bema seat is not where believers are judged for sin; it is a raised platform used for judges, and Paul's Olympic analogy points to determining places, not condemning sin. Believers are children of God and no longer have sin on their back.
Les explains that the King James translators used the word judgment, which scares people, but the Greek word is bema. He notes the bema was a raised platform, like the ruins at Corinth, where judges stood or sat. In the Olympic analogy, the bema was the judges' seat to determine who came in first, second, third. Paul, Les suggests, had that Olympic scenario in mind rather than a political judgment. Therefore, believers appear before the bema seat not to be judged for sin. Les stresses this, because many ask if their trials are due to past sin. He asks them, 'Are you a believer? Are you a child of God?' If they know they are saved, he asks where they get the idea they still have sin on their back.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
More Questions
What happens at the judgment seat of Christ for believers?
All believers must appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.