Your spiritual summons
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Have you received a summons to appear in court as either a defendant or a witness? No matter your role, court can often be frightening and intimidating. Leading up to the day, we might think:
- What questions am I going to be asked?
- Will I remember all the details of the event in question?
Today’s verse reminds us about a summons each one of us will have to answer, the summons to appear in God’s court on Judgment Day.
Paul leaves no room for escape, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” On Judgment Day, every single human being will have to stand before God and answer for all the things they have done during their life.
Paul’s description of what we will have to answer for seems rather daunting, “that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
Paul doesn’t give us an escape clause that God will might turn a blind eye to the sins we have done. It’s clear that we will be summoned to answer for all the things we’ve done, good or bad.
This whole scenario could be rather frightening, but we need to remember another truth the Bible clearly teaches.
It is clearly spelled out in perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
John clearly describes what the Bible tells us over and over. Those who believe in Jesus as their Savior do not have to be afraid of God’s judgment, because God has forgiven all their sins in Jesus.
Will there be a day when each one of us will be summoned to God? Yes! Do I need to be afraid of that summons? No, because I know what Jesus my Savior did for me and that gives me peace!
Prayer: Gracious God, I know one day I will have to stand before you on Judgment Day. Give me confidence, even though I know my sins, I don’t have to fear your summons because Jesus my Savior paid for all my sins. Give me peace knowing I will be able to stand before you unashamed and unafraid because I am your loved and forgiven child. Help me to share this hope with those around me so they too may be ready to face your summons. In Jesus’ name. Amen.