2 Corinthians 5:9-11; In Your Consciences

2 Corinthians 5:9-11 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 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. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

The Apostle Paul is not articulating that God mete out terrible judgment upon believers and there we are to shudder and fear. Rather, the Judgment Seat of Christ is for rewards and loss of rewards in Christian service. As William MacDonald observed, “Paul is not speaking so much of the terror of the Lord for the unsaved as of the reverential awe in which he should to serve the Lord and to please Him.”

Indeed, the men who walked with God and served God in their generation does so with integrity and sincerity as ministers of Christ. The testimony of His servants is known to God. God knew the heart of Job when He commended him to Satan as a man of integrity, one who fears God and hates evil. Satan may have tried him sorely, but Job came forth as gold. This is the encouragement for God’s people serving Him in this generation to press on with the good work.

Each must give an account to the Lord, who is the just Judge. There is an urgency for the work of God to move forward in this generation for His honour and glory and knowing that the Lord does reward His servants and knowing that God is a Judge, with God’s fear and love in our hearts, we serve Him. Amen.