"For we must all appear before the judgment set of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad"
(2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV)

no one can avoid the Judgment of Christ

A basic rule of Bible study states that when a verse begins with “for,” stop and see what it is there “for.” The context of 2 Corinthians 5 shows that our purpose in life is to please Him (v. 10), in part because we will stand before Him on the Day of Judgment.

The word “must” affirms that no one can avoid this Judgment.

We will appear (be made manifest): our character will be fully and accurately revealed. Every excuse on earth that covered up people’s sins will totally vanish; everything that sinners hid will be brought to light. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5). Human courts try to achieve this, often without success. The guilty deny their guilt and make excuses; their lawyers fight to lighten their sentence. This will not happen in the final judgment. The trial has passed. This is judgment.

The judgment is reserved for all. No one can escape it.

Each will receive what is due. When a murderer is sentenced to death, he carries the guilt of his crime to the Judgment. The forgiven person carries his acquittal to eternal bliss.

Judgment is based on the things he did in the body, good or bad.

In Corinth, Paul stood before Gallio. He sat on a now famous judgment seat (Acts 18). This seat cannot compare to the judgment seat of Christ. Gallio’s refusal to condemn Paul cannot compare to the salvation that Jesus would grant him on the last day. He wants us to join him. Are you ready for that day?

– Rick Duggin