2 Corinthians 5 - 11.13.24
Scripture
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor 5:10, NIV)
Observation
We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive what is due based on our life on earth! Paul is not writing this to unbelievers. He is writing to the believers of the Corinthian church.
Paul talks about eternity in the verses before this. When we leave this earth, we will be clothed with our eternal body (verse 1). God has given us his Spirit as a deposit in our hearts, so that we know that we have an eternal future (verse 5). Therefore we make it our aim to please him in everything we do (verse 9). And then Paul reminds us that all of us, without any exception, will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
The fact that we will all stand before God’s judgment seat is seen throughout the new testament. Jesus himself said that we will be judged for every careless word. “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36). Paul reminds believers of judgment in Romans too. “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” (Romans 14:10).
When we accepted Jesus, our sins were forgiven, and there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). So this is not a judgment that sends a believer to hell. This is a judgment where our works are judged. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). God expects us to do good works and live a life producing the fruits of repentance. (Matthew 3:8).
Christ is our foundation. Whatever we build on this foundation will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. Our works will go through fire on judgment day. If we have built using gold, silver, and precious stones, our work will be left standing, and we will receive a reward. If our work is found to be built of wood, hay or straw, it will be burnt in the fire. However, we ourselves will be saved, like someone escaping from flames.(1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
Application
Let us live our life focused on eternity, setting our minds on things above, and not earthly things (Colossians 3:2). We don’t want to live like millionaires on earth, only to go to heaven and find out that we have no savings for eternity! Let us store up our treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves cannot break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20).
Knowing that the whole earth will go through God’s judgment, what kind of people ought we to be, asks Peter in his epistle. We ought to live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11). Whatever we do, including eating and drinking - let us do it for God’s glory. (1 Cor 10:31).
Prayer
Father, I want to thank you for loving me and saving me by your grace. You have forgiven me and the blood of Jesus has washed from all my sin. You have made me your child and your heir. Help me to live a life that glorifies you. Help me to abide in you, so that when Jesus appears, I would have confidence, and would not be ashamed before Him at His coming. (1 John 2:28). Lead me into the good works that you have prepared for me. (Ephesians 2:10). Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. (Romans 12:1). In Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
