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” (II Corinthians 5:10).

Our study of the themes expressed in the doctrinally rich hymn, “Complete in Thee,” has noted justification, sanctification, and God’s provision—all because Christ’s blood had bought pardon for us. Verse four deals with our ultimate glorification.

Dear Savior! When before Thy bar All tribes and tongues assembled are, Among Thy chosen will I be, At Thy right hand, complete in Thee.

Many things may be uncertain in life, but one thing is certain, “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 13:10), for “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). On what legal basis would the holy God allow a sinner entrance?

One day there will be “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, (standing) before the throne, and before the Lamb, . . . (having) washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9,14). The Judge doesn’t see their guilt, He sees only Christ’s righteousness imputed to them. Sin’s penalty has already been paid, for “Christ died for our sins” (I Corinthians 15:3), and made us fit to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12).

But even that’s not all! For “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).

How very complete we are in Him. JDM