2Corinthians 5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
2Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.
2Corinthians 5:10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Has anyone ever taken a moment to think about that day we stand before Christ?
The interesting thing is, when you look at life through the lens of eternity, all the way when we are to stand before Christ; it starts to become so weighted on this, No matter what we have in this life, Only those things that were done for Christ will last (for that matter, with the right motives) and everthing else will be completely burned into nothing.
If I had a business for example, ok I am making money and so forth. If I am not utilizing it for Christ, if I don't give any profit I made to God, what does it profit me when I shall stand before Christ?
If I had a great speaking voice, if not used for the glory of God, will it not be burned on that day?
James said (James 4:14) "What is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away."
There is a parable I heard
"Three men were riding on camels in the desert. They came to a stream where they could see an abundant amount of small rocks thickly layered across the bottom of the stream. Then they looked up, and a man appeared unto them and said "gather as many rocks from the stream bed as you can into you sacks and load them upon your camels." The guys all thought within themselves, "This man is telling us to gather rocks? What shall it profit us?". So because of their doubt they only filled a couple bags with rocks from the stream bed.
Before they left however, the man that appeared to them said unto the three men "Soon after you have rode off a little distance from here, you shall rejoice, but you shall be very sorrowful". The three men all looked at each other puzzled by what the man had told them. Nevertheless, they went on their way departing from the stream.
After they had traveled a half a day's by camel, they saw a sand storm coming; So they ran into a cave they saw off in the distance. While this storm continued, they noticed that the bags they filled with rocks felt heavier then at the first. So they put down the bags and opened up the bags, and behold, each rock that they had taken from the river bed had been turned into a diamond.
The three men then looked at each other and let out great sounds of rejoicing, but within moments they all were all stunned in their hearts with great sorrow; and said within themselves "Why didn't we listen to the man? Why didn't we not fill every sack, but only a few!". Thus they were happy, yet very sorrowful.
They then decided that they wanted to go back to get more rocks, but the sand storm blew the camel prints away, covering them so that the way back to the stream could not be found again."
Frankly, looking at that day when we are before Christ' judgment seat; will we be like these three men wishing they had gathered more; when we realize what we COULD HAVE, but DIDN'T do?
Every moment that passes is a moment, a fragment of time we can never get back.
The hands of time shall on progress, never backwards, never ceasing.
One life, no repeating
marching on, no receding.
but for all those believing
to the to the judgment seat of Christ.
will regret be in our hearts
When that day arises, judgment starts.
Seeing all our life unfold
what shall the eyes of Christ behold?
Hay, wood, stubble, the ashes
Gold, silver.. precious stones everlasting
The works tried, what will they be?
the fiery eyes of the Lord decree?
In Jesus name,
Daniel
2Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.
2Corinthians 5:10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Has anyone ever taken a moment to think about that day we stand before Christ?
The interesting thing is, when you look at life through the lens of eternity, all the way when we are to stand before Christ; it starts to become so weighted on this, No matter what we have in this life, Only those things that were done for Christ will last (for that matter, with the right motives) and everthing else will be completely burned into nothing.
If I had a business for example, ok I am making money and so forth. If I am not utilizing it for Christ, if I don't give any profit I made to God, what does it profit me when I shall stand before Christ?
If I had a great speaking voice, if not used for the glory of God, will it not be burned on that day?
James said (James 4:14) "What is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away."
There is a parable I heard
"Three men were riding on camels in the desert. They came to a stream where they could see an abundant amount of small rocks thickly layered across the bottom of the stream. Then they looked up, and a man appeared unto them and said "gather as many rocks from the stream bed as you can into you sacks and load them upon your camels." The guys all thought within themselves, "This man is telling us to gather rocks? What shall it profit us?". So because of their doubt they only filled a couple bags with rocks from the stream bed.
Before they left however, the man that appeared to them said unto the three men "Soon after you have rode off a little distance from here, you shall rejoice, but you shall be very sorrowful". The three men all looked at each other puzzled by what the man had told them. Nevertheless, they went on their way departing from the stream.
After they had traveled a half a day's by camel, they saw a sand storm coming; So they ran into a cave they saw off in the distance. While this storm continued, they noticed that the bags they filled with rocks felt heavier then at the first. So they put down the bags and opened up the bags, and behold, each rock that they had taken from the river bed had been turned into a diamond.
The three men then looked at each other and let out great sounds of rejoicing, but within moments they all were all stunned in their hearts with great sorrow; and said within themselves "Why didn't we listen to the man? Why didn't we not fill every sack, but only a few!". Thus they were happy, yet very sorrowful.
They then decided that they wanted to go back to get more rocks, but the sand storm blew the camel prints away, covering them so that the way back to the stream could not be found again."
Frankly, looking at that day when we are before Christ' judgment seat; will we be like these three men wishing they had gathered more; when we realize what we COULD HAVE, but DIDN'T do?
Every moment that passes is a moment, a fragment of time we can never get back.
The hands of time shall on progress, never backwards, never ceasing.
One life, no repeating
marching on, no receding.
but for all those believing
to the to the judgment seat of Christ.
will regret be in our hearts
When that day arises, judgment starts.
Seeing all our life unfold
what shall the eyes of Christ behold?
Hay, wood, stubble, the ashes
Gold, silver.. precious stones everlasting
The works tried, what will they be?
the fiery eyes of the Lord decree?
In Jesus name,
Daniel
