2 Corinthians 5:10
Introduction
In the Olympics, the best athletes from around the world demonstrate their abilities and compete to win the prize. Every single athlete desires to win a medal to prove that all their efforts and dedication were worth the sacrifice. As followers of Christ, we should have an unparalleled desire and commitment to work for the Lord and not for men, knowing that we will be rewarded and gain the prize. Our efforts will be evaluated one day at the judgment seat of Christ. The purpose of the judgment seat of Christ is to reward believers based on how we lived our Christian lives.
Christ is our Savior, but He will also be our judge when we stand before Him at the judgment seat. This will be a time of accountability for believers only, determined by how we handled the gift of salvation. As believers, however, we do not need to fear our eternal destiny because this judgment is about rewards and not salvation. Salvation is a free gift, but rewards are earned. Therefore, we have an opportunity to earn these rewards based on what we did that brought glory to God. The judgment will be a comprehensive evaluation of our lives from our conversion to our transition to glory. This will be a review of all we have done and whether our actions were useful and valuable for God’s Kingdom.
Knowledge of this coming judgment should drive us to live differently. This knowledge should serve as a catalyst for us to consciously seek to please God daily. It should motivate us to fear God and take His viewpoint seriously. We should conform to His perspective, which has been communicated through His Word, because we know we must answer to Him. Finally, we should be moved to proclaim the Lord and make Him known. Scripture tells us to persuade others to live in light of this judgment and challenge them to please God in all that they do (2 Corinthians 5:11). The judgment seat of Christ is designed to let us know a day of accountability is coming. We do not need to be afraid, but we should be prepared. We should live expectantly for that day, spurred on by the anticipation of the rewards that come with a life devoted to Christ.
Getting Started
- What images come to mind when you think of the word “judge” or “judgment”?
- What kind of rewards typically motivate you to do things you know you should do?
Let’s Get Personal
- In what areas of your life are you glorifying God? In what areas are you not glorifying God?
- How should the fear of God be manifesting in your life?
- How would you evaluate your life up to this point regarding what you have done to benefit the Kingdom of God? How can this evaluation help to motivate you to serve God’s Kingdom more?
Take the Next Step
- In what ways can you begin to please God daily? What do you need to change to live with a greater focus on doing things that have eternal value?
- Whom can you share with this week about the judgment seat of Christ? How would you share it, so they are not afraid but inspired to live for God?
- Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Peter 1:17; Matthew 12:36-37; Matthew 10:42; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
Renew Your Mind
“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.”
2 Corinthians 5:10
