'Why?' is a critically important question. Unless we are convinced that we have a good reason for doing something, we will stop at some point. Neither duty nor sentiment can keep us pressing on against impossible pressures. Paul wrote to the Corinthians because they were tempted to abandon the true gospel, and follow more comforting lies. To bring them back on track, the apostle explained his personal motivation for not giving up on Jesus, despite huge pressures. His testimony also gives us essential reasons for staying with Jesus and His gospel.

Despite the threat of ridicule, social isolation, persecution and even death, Paul did not see this world as his home. He was only 'camping' here in the 'tent' of his body (2 Corinthians 5:1). His permanent home was in the eternal presence of Christ in heaven. That fact set his earthly agenda, making the plaudits or rebukes of the world irrelevant. His goal was to bring pleasure to the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

The final testing place of Christ's pleasure is not our conscience (which can so easily become corrupted), but His judgement seat. The picture is of a Roman magistrate on a raised platform (the word originally meant 'step'). Paul says that Christ will be seated in judgement and everybody will be summoned to appear before Him in their true character (1 John 2:28). His assessment will be accurate because their heart's secrets will be linked to their actions and words while living in their 'tent' (1 Corinthians 4:5). He will then hand down His judgement of the investment of their lifestyle. Those who lived without repentance or faith in Jesus will have nothing good from God to take into a fearsome eternity; while those whose sins are covered are rewarded for their faithful obedience, which pleases Jesus.

The goal of each day is, therefore, not to achieve a list of tasks, but to please the Lord. He is pleased when we admit and repent of our sin, receive His grace and live obediently according to His Word. That is why we cannot divert from a grace-based gospel which demands repentance, faith and obedience. It is also why we need to see the hollowness of earthly ambitions, which centre on attracting attention to ourselves for what we have done. That final day assessment must condition how we live each day until then. But none can claim to have pleased Him in everything; that is why we must not stray from the apostolic gospel which alone offers forgiveness, reconciliation and a new start to serve Him obediently (Hebrews 13:20-21).