Week 47 2 Corinthians
I thought about post-mortem outcomes when I read this verse: we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.
I wondered about after-the-end-of-living: #1. when I die is getting to heaven my reward? #2. when I die and go to heaven will I get add-on rewards for good deeds that I did when I was still on earth? (for instance: will I get rewarded for giving food to a person who was hungry?) Is it #1 or #2?
With #1 the sequence would look like this:
I’m living my life heading in a direction away from heaven
Then I meet the Lord and now he’s my master
I change direction – now I’m headed for heaven
I live the rest of my life
Then I die and get to heaven.
With #2 the sequence factors-in an extra decision/ choice:
I’m walking along heading away from heaven
Then Jesus becomes my master
I change directions. Now I’m headed for heaven
I have however much life I have left and I have a decision to make. Going forward I can a) keep walking along just living the rest of my life or b) I can start making deliberately good-quality choices about trying to live more like my new master
Then I die and go to heaven.
Reading this verse today sounds a lot like #2b is the preferred choice.
Note: quote from 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NLT)