The Gospel Truth [2 Corinthians 5]

9Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.10For 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.

In verses 1-8  Paul made it clear that your body on earth is like a tent. It is temporary and there is a much better body awaiting you in heaven. In fact, he even went as far as to say, that it is better to die so you can be with the Lord. What an encouragement to know that when you die, there is something so much better for you.

In verses 9 and 10 (above) you can praise God that you won't have to face judgment for your sins. If you are a believer, God has already judged your sins and concluded that you are righteous because of Christ and the gospel. However, according to Paul in the passage above, there will be a judgment for the saints for the deeds that you do here on earth. This judgment will be for rewards based on how you lived.

Paul repeated once again the gospel message and why we have these benefits (above) in verses 14-15; "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf."

Finally, Paul  wrote the rest of the chapter to explain how to live in the light of the gospel. Here are some of the things Paul listed in the chapter.

 

Gospel Living

No longer live for yourself

Recognize no one according to the flesh

Living in Christ

Living as a new creature

Receive the ministry of reconciliation and the word of reconciliation

Live as an ambassador for Christ

Live as the righteousness of God in Christ

 

May you cease striving to live according to the gospel and let the One who lived and died for you continue His good work in your through His grace.