"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

In this letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul has been telling them to remember what matters eternally despite their current afflictions, but he doesn't point them toward a day of conquering their enemies on Earth. Interestingly, he points them toward death and judgment. Why would Paul do this? Why would he go dark like this at a time when these people need encouragement? First of all, remembering that our days are numbered has a way of helping us prioritize the eternal things and demonstrate our faith. But even more important than that, when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged by what we've done, this is where Christ's righteousness is attributed to us. A few verses later, Paul says this outright, we have become the righteousness of God. Not our works, but His praise. He's where the joy is!