“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NET).
2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us that God’s people will eventually be called to account for the lives they have built upon the foundation of Christ. But as difficult as it may be to consider, this passage tells us that the elements used to build upon that foundation may ultimately prove to be worthless (HCSB), bad (NASB), or evil (CSB).
So how can we explain this poor choice of building materials? Well, the answer may involve a question of value.
You see, our world generally assigns the greatest value to the things we possess or accumulate in life. This may include tangible assets like financial wealth, physical attractiveness, or athletic ability, or intangible qualities like social acceptance, peer recognition, or personal prestige. But 2 Corinthians 5:10 suggests that one potentially overlooked measure of value involves the motives that exist behind the things we say and do.
In large part, people are motivated by what they value most. A person who values God’s will above all else will likely be motivated to make choices that align with His character and standards. Those who hold other priorities will probably make different choices. A person who seeks to combine the two may pursue a compromise agenda that is undetectable to others but easily discerned by God. Unfortunately, these latter two value judgments may ultimately to lead to choices that are empty and meanigless in God’s sight.
One effective means of exposing our true motives (for better or worse) involves a commitment to reading God’s Word on a daily basis. As we’re told in the New Testament book of Hebrews, “…the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
As we’re also reminded in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15…
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”