Geoff Hohneck
Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians
The Judgment Seat of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:9 - 10
28 February 2016
Jesus has promised to come again in an "hour no one knows," so we must be prepared. In Second Corinthians 5:9 - 10, Paul describes the kind of righteous ambition we need for lives that please Him.
The purpose of being righteously ambitious is to please God (v. 9a). Whilst the world's ambition is set on accumulating material things, all Christians should have desire to live godly lives instead. Have we an ambition to please the Lord each day?
The scope of being righteously ambitious is without limit (v. 9b). Paul's life had no places excluded from submission to the Lord, and it was his aim "to be well pleasing to Him" in everything. While on earth, Paul wanted to serve the Lord, and also in Heaven. May we desire the same!
Our righteous ambition under divine scrutiny is certain (v. 10). One day, all will stand before the Lord. Unbelievers will be condemned for their sin, and none will be innocent. Believers will also stand before the Lord, but to be examined, not condemned; for Christ has taken their sin. The Bible speaks of three judgments for believers: (a) a past judgment where Jesus was punished for all believers' sins on the cross, and we are declared innocent; (b) a present judgment, where we are commanded to walk in sanctification, "judging ourselves rightly" [1 Cor 11:31]; (c) a future judgment, where believers will stand before the bema seat of Christ to receive rewards for faithful service.
The truly imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ should motivate us to live for Him each day, being righteously ambitious for His glory.