THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Key verse: 10

NIV

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly(A) tent(B) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan,(C) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(D) 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan(E) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(F) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(G)

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.(H) 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.(I) 9 So we make it our goal to please him,(J) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(K) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Our Heavenly Dwelling

5 For we know that if (A)the tent that is (B)our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, (C)a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent (D)we groan, longing to (E)put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on[a] we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal (F)may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, (G)who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that (H)while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for (I)we walk by faith, not (J)by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we (K)would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to (L)please him. 10 For (M)we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, (N)so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 5:3 Some manuscripts putting it off
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Our heavenly dwelling (1-8)

The destination of our earthly pilgrimage is the heavenly kingdom. We live tent lives in this world, but our eternal home is permanent. It is built by God. God made us to live with him. So we long for home. We long for Jesus. We are clothed with mortal bodies, but someday we will have immortal bodies. We do not need to fear death, for the Resurrected Jesus has defeated death. Death is swallowed up by life. How can we know? First, God has given us a security deposit, a taste of heaven--the Holy Spirit. Second, we know by faith. God promised, so we believe. We walk by faith and not by sight.

2. Our goal, to please God (9-1

)

We must make it our goal to please God, for every person, without exception must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, to receive what is due him according to how he lived while in his earthly tent. My hope is in his kingdom, not in the world.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Spirit. Help me to follow you by faith, and make it my goal to please you in everything.

One Word: My goal--to please Jesus