2 Corinthians 5:9-11
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 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. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 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. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
We should live to be holy because God is holy. This must be the direction we aim our hearts and actions towards in order to please God in Christ. Each of us will stand in front of Christ to face all we have done, good and bad, so fear of displeasure should motivate in addition to a thankful and loving heart for our redemptive reconciliation in Christ. This is why Paul (and I) try to move others to take what we do seriously in light of eternity. However, this does in no way earn our salvation nor is it a call to avoid punishment; rather it is a call to please God and find that pleasure the greatest reward, for we who are His cannot add to our salvation nor negate it by our deeds. Yet He tests our hearts to see whose are completely His (Job 24:23, 1Cor.3:11-16).
No comments:
Post a Comment