Verse of the Day 9/1

Through the Bible - Psalm 149 - Proverbs 1, 1 Corinthians 13

 

Good morning,

Yesterdays passage in 1 Corinthians 9  we considered what it meant to "run the race" and ended with Paul's desire and what should be ours that we not be "disqualified from the race."

 

Back in 1980, some of you may remember Rosie Ruiz.  She ran the Boston Marathon and won it in record time.   She seemed to come out of nowhere to win the race.  Actually, she did come out of nowhere.  She started the race and then jumped back in late in the race to cross the finish line.  When offficials looked into it they realized that she had not run the whole race.  No one had seen her and no one could find videotape of her during the race.

 

Today's verse comes from 2 Corinthians 5:

 

2 Cor 5:10 For 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 this earthly body.  NLT
or from the NKJV

2 Cor 5:10 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. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.   NKJV

Tony Evans, in his book, "Who is this King of Glory", explains this "judgement seat".  "The Greek word for "judgement seat" is bema, which was a platform erected for the judges during the Isthian Games, a first century version of the Olympics that were held near Corinth.  The judges sat on the bema to determine who one and who lost, or who was disqualified (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  The prizes given to the winners were also handed out at the bema."

 

Ruiz sought to have the glory without running the race.  Her race was a lie.  She lost her medal from that race and another that she had won previously in which she had done the same thing.

 

Do we press on every day to win the pirze?  Will there be videotape to back us up? 

 

Think again what that prize was and is, "the upward call of Christ".  It's living the life day to day as Christ would call us to live.  And  it is for His glory.  It starts in this life but never ends.

 

A hymn from childhood comes to mind.

 

Living for Jesus

 

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

Matt 7:21-24

 

True Disciples

 

21 "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' 23 But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'

 

2 Cor 5:9-12

 

The Judgment Seat of Christ

 

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 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. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.    NKJV