Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well
pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing,
therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well
known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 2
Corinthians 5:9-11
In these verses, Paul spoke of how they aimed to be well pleasing to
God. But why would they make it their aim to be well pleasing to God, if
there was no possibility of their displeasing God? According to Paul,
their reason for doing this was because they will all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ where they will each receive for themselves the
things that were done in the body, whether good or bad. To live
carelessly in this body is a danger to put oneself in; and to believe
that because of our faith in Christ we cannot displease God by our
wrongdoing, is to believe a lie.
It is true that our wrongdoing will not cause us to be eternally
separated from God, yet, it has grievous consequences for us at the
judgment seat of Christ if we continue in wrongdoing. The context of the
passage in view shows the seriousness with which Apostle Paul views the
question of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ, when he said,
"Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men."
Are you hoping to stand someday before the judgment seat of Christ to
give account for what you did in your body? Then, you must, like Paul,
aim for your life to be well pleasing to God; don't be deceived,
whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Toni
