Judgment

As Paul continues to defend his ministry to these Corinthians in 2 Cor.5, he details for them what motivates him. Paul said that his aim, his goal, his main motivation was to be well pleasing to the Lord (5:9). And contributing to this goal was Paul's knowledge that one day he would be evaluated by the Judge, Jesus Christ the Lord (5:10). This Judgment Seat of Christ is the judgment of believer's works. As Christians, you and I will stand before Christ, immediately following the Rapture, to have all of our works evaluated by Christ (cf. Rom.14:10-12). Salvation is not the issue here. As believers, our sins have already been judged on the cross. This is a reward judgment of our deeds issuing from our faith. It's here that we desire to hear those words "Well done My good and faithful servant." Therefore like Paul, we should not live for ourselves, but for the One who died for us (5:14-15). Dear Christian, who or what are you living for? Who do you aim to please? Yourself? Someone else? Or Jesus?
Prayer:
"Lord, I am not afraid to die, because when this body dies, I'll go immediately to Your presence in Heaven. Therefore, my aim is to please You in everything, whether I'm in an earthly body or a heavenly body. I know one day I'll stand before You to be judged, and everything I've done will be examined. And I'll get what my actions and thoughts deserve, for the good or bad deeds I've done. So Lord my aim is to live for You, because You died for me. Help me today, in the words of Oswald Chambers, to be 'my utmost for Your highest, my best for Your glory!' Jesus, in Your name I pray, Amen."