WHY it matters//
As Christians, at the end of our lives we will all stand before Jesus to give an account for what we did and how we lived in response to his salvation. What we believe about eternity and judgment will greatly impact the way we live now. This life is short, eternity is forever. We are called to live with an eternal perspective and not to become distracted from our pursuit of Jesus. Our greatest hope is that our earthly works would prove valuable when they are judged by Christ and he will reply “well done” in response.
WHAT it's talking about//
2 Corinthians was written by Paul to the church in Corinth around 55 AD. Paul is answering questions that the church has asked him. He makes an important distinction in this chapter about judgment. Here he is addressing what awaits the Christian after death. Most believers today have a basic understanding that God will judge between those who accepted the salvation of Jesus, to be judged according to His works and those who reject Jesus and are judged according to their own works (Matthew 25, Revelation 20, 22). This is not the judgment that Paul is referring to. This is the judgment seat of Christ (The Bema Seat- Paul uses this phrase to help the believers understand the concept, as this was the same word used for the seat in the city where the governor would sit to judge). This is where Jesus judges believers for what they did with their lives after they knew him; how they lived for his glory and obeyed his commands. It is at this time that 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 describes our works being tested by fire to see what we did that was of value, while everything wasted burns away. It is also at this time that we receive eternal rewards. In light of all this Paul reminds the believers to live their lives fully for the glory of God until the time that they see him face to face.
2 Corinthians 5:9-15 NLT
9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.
10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.
13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.
15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.