The point is, if we do not seek Christ and live by His Life, then we have no eternal life stored up for us at the right hand of God in Christ.

Now we see clearly that our body is dead because of sin, void of the knowledge and Presence of God in Christ. Our inward nature is alive at the right hand of God and is increasing in life each day as we obey the Spirit of God.

When we are called forth from the grave our body is still void of the Life of God. It has been raised by eternal energy, not by the Life of Christ.

It is what happens at this point that determines our eternal destiny.

Our Christian mythology has us, after we pass away physically, reclining at our ease in our mansion. Even if this were true, and there is no scriptural basis for this idea, even if we have been in Heaven for two thousand years, the moment will come when the voice of Christ calls our body from the grave, and then our spiritual personality will be joined to our body.

Doing good and doing bad. What will take place then?

We shall stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive back what we have done in our body.

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. (II Corinthians 5:10—NIV)

Notice how the above verse corresponds to John's statement:

And come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. (John 5:29—NIV)

"The things done while in the body, whether good or bad." "Those who have done good."

As Christians we ignore these two verses as though they are not the Word of God, or have been superseded by "grace." However, they indeed are the Word of God and will never be superseded by grace!

God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; But glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 2:6-10—NIV)

God wants us to do good, not to try to use Jesus Christ as a means of avoiding doing good. Will we ever learn the simplicity of the Gospel?

In the Day of the Lord, if we have done good we shall receive the good we have done in the form of Divine Virtue that will fill our dead flesh and bones with eternal resurrection life, with the knowledge and Presence of God.

In the Day of the Lord, if we have done bad we shall receive the bad we have done. In this case our body and inward spiritual nature will remain without the Being and Substance of Christ. What will happen to us then, whether we are permitted to enter the new world of righteousness, or are put into the outer darkness, or Hell, or the Lake of Fire, depends on the decision of Christ.

This is what it means to reap destruction.

To be continued.