In the previous blog post, I discussed the first part of 2 Corinthians 5, where Paul speaks about how living believers are changed at the moment of the snatching away, being clothed with a new body. But the explanation goes even further, because Paul also discusses an important event that will follow the snatching away.
2 Corinthians 5
5 But the one who works this same thing in us is God, who gives us the guarantee of the Spirit.
Guarantee
It is God who works everything that Paul described above. No human hand is involved. And God also gives us the guarantee of the Spirit. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13). We have received the guarantee and assurance that God will fulfill these things.
6 We are always courageous, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Home?
This earthly body, though temporary, is still our home for now. As long as we are in this body, we are not together with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Yet we are courageous, because we have received God’s Spirit as a guarantee and can therefore know that this is only for a short time (2 Corinthians 4:17). For now, therefore, we walk by faith, trusting that He fulfills His promises. But soon we will exchange that faith for sight, and in the snatching away, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we will see Him and meet Him (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).
8 But we are courageous, and we desire rather to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9 Therefore, whether at home or abroad, we make it our goal to please him.
walk
Paul rather (>much more) looked forward to being at home with the Lord and therefore no longer in this body. But in any case, Paul made it his goal to walk worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12). For although this body is temporary and this life transient, our earthly life will certainly have an effect on the heavenly. He says so in the following verse.
10 For we must all appear before the stage of Christ, so that each one may receive for himself the reward for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad.
no judgment seat
We will all appear before the stage or platform of Christ. The common translations usually render this as “the judgment seat of Christ.” But He will not judge us from there, for we have been justified (Rom. 5:1).
The Greek word translated “stage” is bēmatos, which literally means a stepping stone. In Acts 7:5, it speaks of Abraham, who, though in the promised land, had no possessions there, not even a footstep.
The Lord’s Work
At the bēma, what God has been able to accomplish in our lives will be judged. Each person will receive his own reward according to his own labor (1 Cor. 3:8). That labor is not our own works, but is rewarded according to the extent to which we have steadfastly stood on His promises and His work. Not our work, but the Lord’s work.
1 Corinthians 15
58 So, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
At the bēma, we are not judged, but our works are judged. Then nothing will remain hidden, and the motives for our actions will be known.
1 Corinthians 4
5 Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. And then the praise of God will come to everyone.
gold, silver, and precious stones, or: wood, hay, and straw
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul says that we can build with gold, silver, and precious stones. This refers to imperishable things and to what God creates. Or we can build with wood, hay, and straw. This refers to the works and reasonings of man.
1 Corinthians 3
12 And if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, and straw,
13 each one’s work will be made manifest. For the Day will make it clear, because it is revealed by fire. And it is the fire that will test each one’s work to see what kind it is.
14 If anyone’s work which he builds on it remains, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone’s work is burned, it will be forfeited, and he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Imperishable
The salvation of the believer is not at stake here (1 Cor. 3:15); we are sealed with His Spirit (Eph. 1:13). It is not we ourselves who are judged, but our works. This will reveal whether they can stand the test.