2 Corinthians 5:10

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  Paul said that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ and answer for the things that we have done, whether good or bad.  We might say that as followers of Christ we have our sins washed away by His blood, and though this is true, we are not given the freedom to sin without any responsibility.  Verse eleven adds, Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.  Paul appealed to people to accept salvation made available through Christ so that they would not face the terror of the Lord.  Denying God or not accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord does not mean that we will not one day face God's judgment.  Paul said that the way that he lived his life should show His obedience to God.  Verse twelve continues, For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.  Paul did not commend himself to glorify himself, but that God would be glorified.  He said that other believers could us him as an example for those who did not believe except in things that they could see.  Some people will not believe in Christ based simply on what we say is in our heart but need to see our faith lived out in our everyday life.  Verse thirteen states, For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.  I believe that Paul was saying that sometimes they were excited, or beside themselves, and sometimes they were more sedate in their actions, but it was all for the glory of God and the benefit of those that he was witnessing to.  I do not believe that Paul was acting in the way he witnessed but was simply relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to lead him in the way he presented the gospel.  We cannot demand great excitement in worship, nor can we deny it.  We must react as the Holy Spirit leads us and not just react as others react.  Verse fourteen adds, For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  I don't believe that Paul was saying that the love of Christ constrained them from witnessing but constrained them from putting any glory in themselves.  Since Christ died for all, no one believer is to be exalted above any other.  We are not made saints by anything we do of our own ability, but are made saints, those set aside for God, by our faith in Christ.  Verse fifteen continues, And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.  Paul says that as followers of Christ, since He died for us, we should live for Him.  Though Christ died for all, for His death to have meaning for any person, that person must accept His salvation by faith.