2 Corinthians

Lesson 62 Corinthians 5:10 - Judgment of Christians

For the first time in so many years I can’t remember, I won’t be doing a lesson for the week of Palm Sunday, or the week of Easter Sunday. A large number of our class, including Sherrie and I, will be on a spring cruise during that time. In reflecting on the events of Palm Sunday and then Christ’s death and resurrection, I was struck by something that Paul raised in his second letter to the Corinthians last week – the judgment of Christians. So, as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s sacrifice for us, I thought that it would be appropriate leading up to those events to study about our coming judgment as Christians.

Bible

You’ll recall that in 2 Corinthians 5:10 Paul writes "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." Let’s see this week what God’s word says about this judgment, which each of us, as Christians, will face.

So grab your Bibles and review the scriptures referenced below as you answer the questions.

  1. What do John 5:24 and Romans 8:1 tell us about how our sins will be judged?
  2. What does Psalm 103:12 tell us about our sin and judgment?
  3. What does Isaiah 43:25 tell us about our sins and our relationship with God through Christ?
  4. Will we have to suffer for our sins? What does 1 Peter 3:18 tell us?
  5. What does 2 Corinthians 5:21 tell us about us, sin, and Christ?
  6. Will we be judged according to the Ten Commandments – "The Law"? What does Galatians 3:13 tell us?
  7. What does Hebrews 1:3 tell us about our sins and judgment?
  8. What is the difference between standing in Judgment before Christ for us, and the scene foretold in Revelation 20:4-5? What is (are) the difference(s) between these two events?
  9. What does Romans 14:10-13 tell us about judgment?
  10. What does 1 John 2:28 instruct us to be ready to do at that judgment?
  11. How then will we be judged? What is the measure Christ will hold up to use at judgment? If our sins are not only forgiven, but forgotten, then what will our judgment be? What does Paul tell us about that judgment in his first letter to Corinth? (See 1 Corinthians 3:11-15) How will we be judged?
  12. Given, then, that our works will be judged – including how we conducted ourselves and what we did with the time allotted us – what instruction does Paul give us in Colossians 3:25?

As we continue to look into God’s Holy Word and allow His glory to shine through us, let us consider that indeed we will be judged for what we do or do not do. Therefore, let us do as Paul tells us – by casting off the sin that does so easily beset us and concentrate more on running the race God has set before us. By keeping our eyes on the cross, we will also be able to stand on the day of Christ’s judgment and hear him say to us "well done thou good and faithful servant".

In the next lesson, we will look at what it means to need comforting, to be one who comforts, and to be a witness even when it seems to counter worldly wisdom. We’ll see that from our life experiences that God is equipping us to relate to the sufferings and challenges of others. We’ll also see that, through these opportunities to serve, we’ll be his witnesses; and our actions will testify to his presence and grace in our lives during times of difficulty.

Praise God for his eternal grace and mercy and praise to Jesus who came as our sacrifice that today our sins are paid for, our transgressions forgotten – the freedom we have today to work in His kingdom, paid with a price only He could pay. Let us celebrate this Easter season by redoubling our efforts to be more like him and to reach those who have not yet accepted Him as their Lord and Savior.

May God richly bless your life as you daily study His Holy Word.

Yours in Christ,

Wes

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