Absent from the body, present with The LORD.

Brethren, Have you ever broken the law, or done something worthy of incarceration?" Many people have, but have never gotten caught committing the crime." Personally speaking, I have broken the law, and have paid the consequences for having done so. But how many others have gotten away with their crimes, and then continued that pattern, thinking it would continue indefinitely?"🤔 Many!" But the book of Proverbs assures us, that every law breaker, will have their day of reckoning." Consider how Proverbs 11:31 affirms this TRUTH, by saying: If the RIGHTEOUS will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the sinner and the ungodly? [So because this day of reckoning, is an absolute certainty,, GOD commands us to obey the authorities that HE HIMSELF has placed over us." So Romans 13:1-2 reveals GOD'S command by saying: Let every Soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from GOD, and the authorities that exist are appointed by GOD. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of GOD; and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. [Brethren, After "committing a crime," being judged by a jury of our peers is a startling possibility, but standing before a HOLY GOD, is absolutely certain!" Everyone of our works will be evaluated in The SIGHT of GOD," and our reward or punishment, will be determined by HIM." The TRUTH, is, that every last one of us, will be held accountable for what we've done with "The HOLY WORD of GOD. Right!" Thus, The LORD, our GOD, will review every last entry in the history of our lives, and make a judgement on what we have done, whether good, or evil." Consider how 2nd Corrinthians 5:9-11 makes this absolutely clear, by saying: Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to HIM. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing therefore, the terror of The LORD, we persuade men; but we are all known to GOD, and I also trust we are well known in your consciences. [Brethren, Not only what we did," but also the reasons why we did it, will be known by GOD, and judged by HIM." But as Believers in the finished work of the Cross of CHRIST," for the remission of our sins; "We have the assurance of GOD'S WORD, that our sins have already been judged on The Cross of CHRIST, and thoroughly condemned." Yes, HIS death, was our death." HIS burial, was our burial. And HIS "RESURECTION," was our RESURRECTION!" Thus, GOD already sees us seated in HEAVENLY places. Consider how Ephesians 2:4-6 makes this abundantly evident, by saying: But GOD, Who is rich in MERCY, because of HIS GREAT LOVE with which HE LOVED us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with CHRIST (by GRACE you have been SAVED), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the HEAVENLY places in CHRIST JESUS. [Brethren, GOD'S GRACE is sufficient, so that we who are now in CHRIST, might be free of all condemnation." Consider how Romans 8:1 assures us of this by saying: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in CHRIST JESUS, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to The SPIRIT. [In other words, we who are in CHRIST; do not walk agreeing with the flesh, and its desires. But we walk agreeing with what GOD'S SPIRIT, and what HE wants us to do." Right!" And not, with what our flesh would have us do." And just what are, the works of the flesh?" Well, Galatians 5:19-21 reveals them like this: Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adulterery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit The KINGDOM of GOD. ["Is that clear? Well, now Galatians 5:22-25 reveals what GOD has given us, and wants us to walk in": But the fruit of The SPIRIT is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. Against such there is no law. And those who are CHRIST'S have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in The SPIRIT, let us also walk in The SPIRIT. [And so, Brethren, when we fall asleep, and leave this earthly body; We will be present with The LORD.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 assures us of this, by saying: So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from The LORD. For we walk by FAITH, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with The LORD. [And so, Brethren," With that in mind, Paul wrote, “We make it our aim to be well pleasing to HIM." For we must all appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST, that each one may receive the things done in the body whether "good or bad.” And so, Proverbs 23:17-19 finishes off this message, by saying: Do not let your heart envy sinners; But be zealous for the fear of The LORD all the day. For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off. Hear, MY son, and be wise; And guide your heart in The WAY. [In The WAY?"] Yes, in CHRIST, Who affirms: I AM The WAY, The TRUTH, and The LIFE; no one comes to The FATHER except by ME. JESUS OK