eschatology, Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor.5)

Paul gives us a description of the judgment seat of Christ.  We should not be confused with the opening verses.  One could read into it that "all" means "Christians" and therefore all Christians will be judged for both the good and the bad deeds we have done.  But as we read on it becomes clearer that Paul meant "all" to mean "all people" - believers AND unbelievers.  So - all will be judged - it's just a matter of WHETHER a person is judged for the good or the bad.  And that difference is completely up to each person.

God looks at and judges the condition of the heart. 

When people choose a life without God, thinking they can do everything their own way, and on their own, all unbelievers will be judged according to every bad deed committed - because they are guilty.  The biggest sin - the UNFORGIVABLE, UNPARDONABLE sin - is rejecting Christ.

When people choose a life WITH Christ, knowing that we need His forgiveness and salvation, all believers will be judged according to every good deed accomplished - because Christ reconciles us to Himself.  Because He forgives us and chooses to not count our sins against us...

(2 Corinthians 5:10-21)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Today's takeaway:  when we recognize that we live because of Christ's death on our behalf, our desire should be to live for Christ. 

I find certain cultures very interesting.  You know the ones.  You see them in movies.  The hero saves someone from a different culture - and that person then stakes the claim that they are indebted to them forever - or at least until the debt has been paid in full.  So as the movie continues, the person somehow helps to save the hero and/or the conflict, and in the end is set free!  "Wow!!!" we think, "how noble!"

Now let us consider how Jesus saved us, and how we owe our lives to Him.  We would be indebted to Him forever, but we could never return the favor.  Never!  The debt is far too big and impossible.  Not only that, but God does not need saving!!!  He does not even NEED our help for anything.  He wants and desires to have a close, personal relationship with Him.  And so, because of God's grace, He does not expect us to "return the favor."  He immediately sets us free from the Law, from sin and from death, and wants us to experience love, peace and joy.  Jesus is the HERO of heroes - how much more then should we desire to dedicate our lives to serving Him???!!!...

(1 Samuel 12:20-24)  Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile. 22 For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you..."

(Romans 12:1)  Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.