What's The Score?

II Corinthians 5:10-16

Shows such as Americas Got Talent or American Idol draw huge followings. People can’t wait to see how different performers do. Sometimes the criticisms by the judges really encourage the contestants. Other times they are really cast down by what one of the judges says. The opinions are very subjective, resulting in frequent disagreements between the Judges. Imagine knowing that these tree people can have such a beneficial or devastating impact on your career.

Now imagine yourself standing before God to be judged on your performance. You have had the best possible teacher, the Holy Spirit to teach you what he expected. You have had the same study materials, and equal opportunities to practice. How carefully you have practiced and how thoroughly you have studied will be revealed in your performance. Our judgment will be totally without bias. It will not be affected by what others have done, only what we did.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (II Corinthians 5:10-11)

Because we know the impact on others future, we try to convince others to give their best. Doing our best in practice can encourage others to do their best. Hopefully they will recognize it and try to do as well or better. The judge, God will see that practice and part of our score is based on how well we helped and encouraged others.

Others will not get to vote on our position, so there’s no use trying to impress them, but we can them by setting an example that they can look at when others discourage them with the idea they don‘t look good enough. We can help them to understand that God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance.

“For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.” (II Corinthians 5:12-13)

As we understand the love of Christ, and man’s sin nature, we begin to understand that it was just as necessary for Christ to die for the fireman who risks his life to save other people’s homes as for the man on trial for murder. The same sacrifice is required for the pastor to be saved as for the Atheist. There is no difference between Jew and gentile. None of them could save themselves. Everyone of us has the same debt to Christ. We owe our lives to him.

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” (II Corinthians 5:14-16)

Understanding that we were dead in sin., but are now alive to God, we don’t have the same understanding of those around us. The physical actions and attributes of those around us become of less importance, and their spiritual state becomes more important. Even our understanding of Christ is changed.