2 Corinthians 5
-The concept of Kingdom is paramount in this hopeful chapter
that gives us a glimpse into the afterlife in the heavens. We groan in this
earth suit that is being destroyed by the corruption of sin and this depraved
world, but our anticipation is fixed on better things through Christ Jesus our
Lord. He will clothe us with life eternal and He has given us His Holy Spirit
as a guarantee of the good and awesome things to come (2 Corinthians 5:5).
While we live in this life, we walk by faith, not sight having good courage
knowing that it is our privilege to please Him in all ways whether present or
away (2 Corinthians 5:7-9). We all must appear before the judgment seat of
Christ and will receive what is due for what we’ve done in the body, whether
good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10). As I take it, this is a rewards judgment and
not the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). This particular
judgment is the same one referred to in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. *Application*
The Holy Spirit is our guarantee of salvation. If He is indwelling us we have a
secure future with Him in the afterlife thanks be to Christ Jesus who paid the
price for our sins (Job 33:4, Romans 8:2, 1 John 5:12-13). Remember that there
is a judgment coming and we will be exposed for everything done in this life in
thought, word, and deed. Live with the end in mind.
-Because of these facts, we now have a ministry of
reconciliation as believers in Christ Jesus filled with His Holy Spirit as
ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Paul says this starts as we know the fear
of the Lord and out of that reverence we persuade others with love and
compassion (2 Corinthians 5:11, 14). This is new life as a new creation of God that
we may no longer live for ourselves but for Him who for sin’s sake died and was
raised (2 Corinthians 5:15, 17). “For our sake He (the Father) made Him (the
Son) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit)
we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).” *Application*
There are sooo many great spiritual truths in this chapter it would take a
lifetime to mine them out and understand fully. We can rest in the fact that
God loves us enough to give us His limitless grace and humble Himself to the
point of death to take our iniquity away. We can praise the God of the Universe
forever because of His great and mighty promised gift of salvation! Further, we
have opportunity to minister to others who need to know of this faith life and
the hope it brings! Be ambassadors for Christ!!!!
Verse to Memorize- 2
Corinthians 5:7
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