The Daily Word of Righteousness

One in Christ in God, #28

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (II Corinthians 5:8)

We are always willing to leave this fleshly body and go home to be present with our wonderful Lord Jesus. As long as we are at home in the body we are absent from Him. We continue in the pursuit of righteousness in order that we may be accepted of Him, whether we are present with Him or still in a mortal body.

We have the sure knowledge that we possess an eternal house in the heavens and that we shall be clothed with it if we steadfastly keep our gaze on Christ. For we must yet appear before the judgment seat of Christ that we may receive the consequences of the manner in which we have answered His call on our life.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (II Corinthians 5:10)

The body of resurrection life is a reward for faithfully serving Christ no matter what the inconvenience or pain may be. From the context of the above verse we understand Paul was thinking about the reward that will come to the Christian who has labored in Christ in order that the will of God may come to pass in the earth. Paul was considering the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" that is to be his at the appearing of the righteous Judge.

After having accepted the freely given salvation in Christ, a person may or may not go on to the gaining of a reward.

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (I Corinthians 3:14,15)

Every one of us will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. We may hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter the desires of your heart, the righteousness, love, joy, peace, and gladness that have been prepared for you from the creation of the world."

Or, He may have cause to say, "It became necessary for me to remove those things that hindered you, but you remained faithful throughout your fiery trial. Welcome to My kingdom." Christ then will wipe away our tears and we will be saved from the wrath of God.

There are some believers who will hear neither of these comments. Rather, they will face an angry Christ who will command that they be thrown into outer darkness (Matthew 25:30).

To be continued.