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2 Corinthians 5:9-11
In 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 the Apostle Paul takes a moment to tie together all that he has been teaching the congregation of the church at Corinth. He instructs that the main point, whether in the physical/earthly body or when the day comes that we inherit our spiritual/eternal bodies that we are striving to be/live lives that are pleasing to God. He states in 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV), “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.” Paul has already explained this in his first letter to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, and in Romans 14:10c Paul states, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” He continues in Romans 14:12, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” This is not works unto salvation, but that the works that we do in our salvation will be judged by Jesus to determine our reward in heaven. Paul then states in 2 Corinthians 5:11, “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.” The “terror of the Lord” is the cold hard truth of eternal condemnation. God is just, and those who die physically without opening their hearts to Jesus will be cast into eternal condemnation. This is a place that we do not like to talk about, but it is the whole of that which we are to be saved from; this is why Jesus came to this physical/earthly life – to save us from sin which leads to eternal condemnation. But Paul, knowing this (2 Corinthians 5:11) strives to persuade men to Christ Jesus; to gain life and be saved from eternal death.
This is an example of a man with an understanding of heaven and hell, and of how important it is to listen to his message and allow him to persuade us to Jesus – for true life for eternity – In Christ.
Galatians 6:7-10 states, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Jesus states in John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” The Bible teaches us in John 1:6-13, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” It is our aim to be pleasing to God; let us strive to do so.
Dear LORD,
You took the sight of the Apostle Paul for three days (Acts 9) and filled his mind and heart with the lessons that he spent the rest of his life teaching. We know that Paul/Saul is well known to You, and You have preserved his teachings of Christ Jesus that You inspired him to write in these letters of Your Word – the Bible. You have given us a conscience to speak to us through and guide us – if we will listen. You have given us a conscience to remind us to these words of Your Apostle Paul that are intended to persuade us to believe – to believe in You, that we would turn from seeking the ways of this world and seek Your will for our lives that leads to everlasting life – In Christ! Please let it be so LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.