1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Paul is comparing the believer’s life to a race, or a boxing match. At its conclusion, there is an assessment by a judge, and then the prize of an incorruptible crown.
Our lives will be filled with a greater sense of zest for living, if we keep in view that we are being watched by the Divine Umpire and Judge, and that we are running for a prize, which He will surely award us if we run worthily.
The Judgment Seat of Christ is not something to be feared, but to be looked forward to, as a motivating factor. We will then live our lives to please Him.
There’s just one thing to be cautious of. We should not be trying to guess what our position will be on the scale of Christ’s judgment.
That way lies pride. Instead, we should live for Him, do our best to please Him, long for His appearing (there’s a crown just for those who long), …
and leave the final and actual assessment to Him when we meet Him at the Bema.
Bibloscope 