June 19, 2018 Tuesday

“6  So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7  For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8  We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9  Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2Corinthians 5:6-10 NKJV)

            It is very easy as Christians to either think about our life in this world or to think about our life in the next world. Christians can spend all their time trying to live out their faith here and not think about the promise of being with God eternally. Christians can also spend their time only thinking about the return of Jesus and of heaven.

            In this passage Paul brings these two lives together and makes it very clear there really is no separation between our lives here on earth and our life with God. In this life we walk by faith seeking through God’s power and help to live a life that is pleasing to God in preparation for the time we shall see him face-to-face. In our life in heaven we will live by sight and all we trusted in by faith will be seen and experienced by us.

            Paul declares he would rather be absent from the body and present with the Lord but if God desires for us to be here we must live in a way that brings glory to God and prepares us to stand before God. The decision for us to be in the body or to be present with the Lord, even though we may have our preference, only God can make.

            In this world we live by faith knowing only God can save us. Our works do not bring salvation but actually are fruit of our salvation. Paul reminds us that while we are saved we still will face God’s judgment on how we have lived our lives and the works we have done or not done.

            Do you see your life as a continuation from being in this world to being with God? Do you by faith trust in God alone for your salvation? If you are saved do you live out your salvation through works and by fruitful living?