Today's Scripture Reading (March 22, 2021): 2 Corinthians 5
American comedian, Daniel Tosh,
says that "Cheaters never prosper, unless they get away with it." It
is like someone who argues that they always tell the truth, except for those
instances where they get caught in a lie. Expediency argues that every action in
life is good, right, and proper, as long as we can get away with it. Rules don't
really exist; unless you get caught. It is part of the double standard that
seems to exist in our society because the rich and white offenders often simply
get away with the illegality of their actions. Meanwhile, those who are poor or
from a visible minority often get caught.
A common understanding of karma is
that a bill will come due and must be paid for every action we undertake. Some
of the consequences of our efforts must be paid in this lifetime. A criminal
pays his "debt to society" by submitting to imprisonment or hefty
fines. Gossipers often eventually become the subjects of others' discussions in
the same arena where they formally served up the juicy tidbits to those willing
to listen. But, of course, the payment is only due if we get caught in the midst
of our crime. And not everybody seems to receive their bill in this life. And,
maybe, one of the most frustrating things in this life is watching those who do
evil and seemingly get away with their actions.
Paul reminds the Corinthians church
that there is a judgment that all of us will have to confront. But for those of
us who have accepted Christ, it is not that we don't have to face judgment; it is
that we don't have to fear judgment. In his first letter to the Corinthians,
Paul describes the process this way.
For no one can lay any foundation
other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation
using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their
work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to
light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of
each person's work. If what has been built
survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it
is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though
only as one escaping through the flames (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
When we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, then what we
do will pass through the fire of judgment. If it is good, it will survive; if
it is bad, it will be consumed. But because we were building on Christ's
foundation, we will survive even though we suffer loss.
But the nightmare scenario might be those who thought that
they did great deeds in the service of God, only to find that it was all destroyed
by the fire of judgment. Because when we stand in front of God's judgment seat,
only that which was genuinely done in response for him will survive the test.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6
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