WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR BAD, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Paul's writing to the church at Corinth has many gems of Truth. One that ought to arrest our thinking is found in the text above. Remember, we who are Christians are:

• (a) "the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you," I Corinthians 6:19.
• (b) "ye are not your own...", I Corinthians 6:19.
• (c) "ye are bought with a price:", I Cor. 6:20.
• (d) "glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's ", I Cor. 6:20.

In view of the above, Paul writes, "Wherefore we labour that present or absent, we may be accepted of him", 2 Corinthians 5:9. There is a day of accounting: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ", vs. 10.

The purpose of such an appearance is:

• (1) "that every one may receive the things done in his body," vs. 10.
• (2) "according as he hath done," vs. 10.
• (3) "whether it be good or bad." vs. 10

The Christian life is an opportunity time. The Word makes it clear that the saved person CAN do good things. It entails putting off the old man. Ephesians 4:22-32 gives us a run-down (a summary listing many things): telling how the redeemed ought to do:

• (A) vs. 22 says ". . . put off . . . the old man, which is corrupt"
• (B) ". . . be renewed . . ., 23.
• (C) ". . . put on the new man, . . ."
• (D) "putting away lying,...", 25.

In all, from vss. 25-32,there are ten things listed that should be put off. There's at least four good things listed to do in these same verses. They would be among the things to do in putting ". . . on the new man", vs. 24. It is the new man's deeds that will pass the test when we appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 2 Cor. 5:9-10. The Scriptures are the 'road map' of life to guide us thru this journey of service; and the criteria for our conduct as children of God. DDH