We Must All Appear Before Christ By Shirley R. Watts- Matlock “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (II Cor. 5:10) and “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” (I Cor. 3:13).

Life

As we live from day to day, do we really think about this fact? Jesus is coming for the Church…and it will be a great time. We will see our loved ones who went before us who were true believers. The most important meeting will be with Jesus. “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (I Thess. 4:18).

We want our service to stand the test of fire. The Bible says we must build up the temple of God. When we build up the personal temple, we therefore will be building up the True Church.

We want all that we do to stand the test and not go up in smoke. We must stop and examine what we are doing and know that it will bring glory to God and not be just involved in “religious busy work.” Christian, this happens!

The Church needs to wake up and be about God’s business! Are we truly praying and seeking God for our Nation. Is the Church sleeping today?

We are born again from above. God the Father lives in each true Believer. We are to present Christ to the world in the power of the Holy Spirit. We must be maturing in Christ daily.

There are two kinds of Christians, the mature and the immature. The maturing Christian lives a life of surrender to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The immature Christian lives a life surrendered to the flesh. Which life are you living today?

The mature Christian feeds on the Word of God, has a real prayer life and is a true witness of Jesus Christ. The immature Christian has very little interest in the things of God. He is not maturing!

What are the marks of maturity? The mature Christian feeds on the meat of the Word (Heavenly things). They are “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us” (Titus 2:13-14a).

The immature feeds on milk and is not looking for Christ. They are busy in the world, satisfied with what they know and are not developing into Christ-like Christians.

Satan wants to hinder them so they will not mature. This means there will be less witnessing for Christ, less prayer and less true worship.

The mature Christian will practice the Scriptures. We have too many immature Christians in leadership positions today and this includes the pulpit, committees and the deacon ministry.

The goal of the Christian is to: “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ And love thy neighbor as thyself ” (Mark 12:30).

Go!

God has commanded us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” Missions! We must know how to explain the “message” of the Gospel of Christ. We can only do this when we have the love needed to see the lost saved. Our lives must present Christ!

How many souls have you led to Christ and will stand with you on Judgment Day.

We all sow, and water the seed, but only God gives the increase (I Cor. 3:7). “Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (I Cor. 3:8). Are you sowing the seed?

Focus

Let us stay focused on Christ! He will be arriving shortly! We want to lay our good works of prayer, witnessing, and worship before Him. We don’t want all to go up in smoke.

Are you ready for the Judgment Seat?

“Look up and lift up your heads because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). Amen!

Jesus is coming soon!