The Tribunal of Christ

For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless. 2 Corinthians 5:10

I feel incredibly unprepared in writing on such a weighty topic that is the judgment of Christ.  I’ve lost sleep over this verse, this is not a verse that any Christian should skip over lightly but should consider very carefully what it’s saying here. In short, Paul is saying that we all will face judgment. And I say this, especially Christians will face judgment. Why do I say that? I say that because firstly consider the Lord who entrusts us with the eternal truths of the gospel. Our Lord will ask us “what have you done with the grace that I’ve given you?”

The greatest knowledge anyone can retain is knowledge of the gospel. It is also equally the greatest message anyone can share with another. It holds more weight than any political or royal speech. Its message has the power to save! (Romans 1:16) And therefore it trumps the most cutting words that have made way for change in political agendas. We as Christians have been entrusted with the knowledge of salvation. Of course, it is God who awakens the dead, but we have the duty to share this beautiful message.

Before Paul tells us that we will all be judged, he also tells us what we will be judged by. In 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 Paul tells us that we walk by faith and not by sight, aiming to please the Lord in whatever it is that we’re doing. This is what we’re judged by my friends! We should humbly consider the way in which we are walking and pause to ask the question “am I aiming to please God in what I am doing?” It’s humbling isn’t it, to consider our Lord in everything that we’re doing. We will not be perfect (that’s not the point of what Paul is saying here) but with our walk in Christ comes repentance. We are daily turning away from our Lord and daily needing correction from Him! What a magnificent display of His sovereign grace, our Lord who gives us air to breath when we have sinned against Him!

Brothers and sisters we would do well to consider Christ in all that we do! That is in how we interact with our friends, family, amongst non-believers and when we’re alone, for we will give an account of what is considered good and what is considered worthless. Let us consider the beauty of the gospel and be humbled by our Lord through His word knowing that we will face the tribunal of Christ. Let us rightly fear our Lord, not in a way that we hide under the covers, but a fear knowing that we can only turn to Him. Simon Peter answered, “Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life John 6:68