2 Corinthians 5:8-10, The Judgment Seat

8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we 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 please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Since we don’t see these things, we live by faith and courage, aiming to please God in our faithfulness to him. We are to live to bring delight to God. Yet one day each of us will die and go home to the Lord. Paul believes that when we die, though our physical bodies are buried, our soul or spirit goes immediately into the presence of Jesus to rest in him until the Day of Resurrection when all in Christ will receive resurrection bodies like his.

At the end of time, it will be Christ seated on the judgment seat who will requite believers according to their deeds. At that time Paul’s ministry will be vindicated and found authentic, as will the faith of the true believers in Corinth. Present-day actions will have eternal consequences, even though the consequence remain somewhat mysterious. However, as 4:16-5:10 makes clear, Paul strongly affirms and longs for resurrection, not merely life in heaven. We have an incomplete view of eternal life if we picture angels sitting on clouds or think that we become angels. We don’t. Instead, we will receive resurrection bodies and serve God eternally.

Reflection:

May God the Father, who loved the world so much that he sent his

only Son, give you grace to prepare for eternal life.

May God the Son, who comes to us as Redeemer and Judge, reveal

to you the path from darkness to light.

May God the Holy Spirit, by whose working the Virgin Mary

conceived the Christ, help you bear the fruits of holiness..

-- Michael Perham