“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” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
A concise verse, establishing several important truths:
- Judgment is universal. It says “we must all appear before the judgment seat. The word “all” is inclusive. No one will escape judgment.
- Christ is the judge. We are thankful that the one who “died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34) is the one who judges us.
- We will receive at judgment exactly what we deserve. “whether good or bad.”
- The judgment has a standard by which we will be judged. “The things done in the body.”
Finally, Paul writes of the consequence of these truths found in this verse. Our purpose should be His. We should make it our aim “to be well pleasing to him” (9). It makes no sense to offend the one who is our judge. Our primary purpose in life it to please Him. Because we know the “terror of the Lord” we do as He desires. His desire is that we persuade men, cf. Mark 16:15; Romans 1:15.
Seek to please Him in your life. It matters!
