Post by foxjj on Aug 18, 2023 7:02:59 GMT
Second Corinthians Chapter Five. (ESV)
In chapter five of Paul’s second letter to the Church in Corinth, he compares how life here on earth is very much temporary, unlike our promised eternal life with The Lord. He then teaches how, through the Grace that has brought us to genuine faith in Jesus, we become a new creation.
Paul opens the chapter by referring to our earthly body as a tent, temporary and weak, while we look forward to our perfect abode:
“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”
Paul continues with further reminders that our earthly life is not our permanent life. Although we are looking forward to spending eternity with our Savior, we still have work to do here until we are called to our eternal home.
“6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
Aware that there will be an accounting, Paul encourages his readers of the need for sharing the good news concerning Christ. He also makes a short defence of his ministry because of those who speak against him:
“10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
The following verse’s convey a unique and wonderful truth for all who, as followers of Jesus, are born again and reconciled to Christ:
“16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
To experience and understand verse 17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,“ is an awesome thing. When this spiritual truth sinks in, it is humbling, realizing that God loves me - a sinner. The Father sacrificed His Holy, and Sinless Son in order that sinners would be reconciled onto Him.
“20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
After many years of trying to please God by following the religion of my youth, The Lord sent friends into my life who shared their faith - and their experiences - in Jesus. Through reading the Bible for myself, the Holy Spirit gave me the understanding that I was a sinner in need of a Savior. I confessed my need of Jesus and His salvation, becoming born again, and a new creation in Christ Jesus. All Praise to His Holy Name.
Today, let us give thanks to our Great God for reconciliation.
John Joseph Fox.
In chapter five of Paul’s second letter to the Church in Corinth, he compares how life here on earth is very much temporary, unlike our promised eternal life with The Lord. He then teaches how, through the Grace that has brought us to genuine faith in Jesus, we become a new creation.
Paul opens the chapter by referring to our earthly body as a tent, temporary and weak, while we look forward to our perfect abode:
“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”
Paul continues with further reminders that our earthly life is not our permanent life. Although we are looking forward to spending eternity with our Savior, we still have work to do here until we are called to our eternal home.
“6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
Aware that there will be an accounting, Paul encourages his readers of the need for sharing the good news concerning Christ. He also makes a short defence of his ministry because of those who speak against him:
“10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
The following verse’s convey a unique and wonderful truth for all who, as followers of Jesus, are born again and reconciled to Christ:
“16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
To experience and understand verse 17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,“ is an awesome thing. When this spiritual truth sinks in, it is humbling, realizing that God loves me - a sinner. The Father sacrificed His Holy, and Sinless Son in order that sinners would be reconciled onto Him.
“20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
After many years of trying to please God by following the religion of my youth, The Lord sent friends into my life who shared their faith - and their experiences - in Jesus. Through reading the Bible for myself, the Holy Spirit gave me the understanding that I was a sinner in need of a Savior. I confessed my need of Jesus and His salvation, becoming born again, and a new creation in Christ Jesus. All Praise to His Holy Name.
Today, let us give thanks to our Great God for reconciliation.
John Joseph Fox.
