Judgment is Coming - 2 Corinthians 4-5

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

We have all heard that there are two things in life you can’t avoid: Death and Taxes!   It is unclear who made that observation famous, but whoever it was they did not read the above passage.   We struggle very much with the concept of death, obviously.  But, it is not death that should shock us.  It is not death that should scar us.  It is not death that should cause us to tremble and fear.  It is not death, but standing before the judgment seat of Christ out to cause us to shake and tremble in awe.     One of the quotes on my prayer list regarding doing good works is:

“The issue in the judgment is productivity not belief.” (Robert Wilkin) 

Wilkin gives us great truth here.   Paul, in the above passage is writing to believers.  He is not writing to them about there sin.  He is writing to them about there walk.  Notice the verse just before the above verse:

2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV)

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

He is talking about our eventual facing Christ, our savior.  He wants us to know our walk ought to be to praise Him and please Him.   That is the point of the text.  We will not be judged for our sins at the judgment seat of Christ.  How do we know this.  Because ... 

Romans 8:1 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

But, we will be facing Christ to show how we pleased Him.  That is the judgment believers will face.  We can rejoice that as we walk with Christ, He enables us to please Him.  As we submit to His rule in our lives we please Him.  As we walk with the Spirit we please Him.  That is the point of our lives. We are not here to please mankind.  We are not here to please the world around us.  We are here to please God, who raised Jesus from the dead of His glory and our salvation.   Judgment is coming for believers.  Not judgement about how we are saved.  That is finished.  But, judgement on how we live out that salvation.