“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
The passage deals with the special judgment for Christians called the “judgment seat of Christ,” also mentioned by name in Romans 14:10, “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” and described in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
No one goes to hell at this judgment. Christians are simply judged for their conduct as believers while living out their lives on earth.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
A great memory verse for all Christians. The new birth produces a new creature, not just someone who makes a profession and continues to live after the world.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
It’s not enough to say that Jesus died and rose again for us; He was made sin for us. What exactly is meant by that, I am not sure. It at least means the He entered a foreign realm, one that was unworthy of His presence, and it at least means the He, the holy Son of God, came in touch with something dirty and defiling so that we could come in touch with God’s holiness. But what it means exactly to be made sin is beyond my comprehension.