28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
“A time is coming” when there will be a universal physical resurrection at Jesus’ Word – you can count on it, as it will surely come. There will be a resurrection at the end of time – nearer every day – where all must appear before the Judge - therefore, all must be raised. Graves could be considered a place where dead bodies are detained yet in light of the certain resurrection to come they perhaps would be better regarded as beds where the dead sleep to be awakened again at the sound of Jesus’ voice. Paul reasons with us in the following verses giving us further insight:
16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Cor 15:16-22 (NIV)
Paul held a proper perspective of his sojourn here on earth as he knew that one day he would be evaluated by his Master. This perspective gave him perseverance, purpose, passion, peace in his circumstances, coupled with joy and contentment as his goal was always to please the Lord. He was sustained by the realization that he was merely in a transitory and temporary state – choosing to focus on the unseen rather than the seen – living by faith and not by sight.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10 (NIV)
“The Christian’s reason for leaving the camp of the world’s sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so; and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was ‘not of the world’; His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was separate from sinners...You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world...No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ. Charles H. Spurgeon
Just as Jesus did not seek to please Himself but Him who sent Him, Paul’s goal – as should ours be as well – was to seek to please his Master. While humans are not given the whole picture we are given enough to know that our works here on earth through the power of the Spirit for the kingdom of God count and our worthless works count for nothing.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
Sound like a waste of time to be working in the flesh does it not? Wouldn’t it be far greater investing our time rather than spending it? We are warned about this in Scripture:
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)
“Men who are not secure in Christ cast about for spiritual life preservers with which to support their confidence, and in their frantic search they not only cling to the shreds of ability and righteousness they find in themselves, but they fix upon their race, their membership in a part, their familiar social and ecclesiastical patterns and the culture as a means of self-recommendation. The culture is put on as though it were armor against self-doubt, but it becomes a mental straitjacket which cleaves to the flesh and can never be removed except through comprehensive faith in the saving work of Christ.” Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life
This is why Paul urges us in Colossians:
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Col 3:23-25 (NIV)
No favoritism is found in the eyes of our Lord. He died for all – red and yellow black and white, they are all precious in His sight. No amount of earthly pomp or splendor or wealth or fame or whatever else will elevate us in His eyes. He is not like man who simply judges by the external rather, our Lord judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart – the motivation behind the action. The writer of Hebrews tells us:
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:13 (NIV)
“Nothing teaches us so much the preciousness of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all besides.” Charles H. Spurgeon