Today we are reading 2 Corinthians chapter 5. Here are some points:
- Paul starts out talking about our bodies being this temporary place we live in while we’re here on earth. But one day we will be given an eternal body in heaven with God if we’ve chosen to follow Jesus. This is what we’re talking about yesterday but today Paul gets a bit clearer with it.
- In verse 10 he writes about what appears to be a courtroom with Jesus as the judge. What we learn in the Bible is that one day we all will stand before God and give account for our decisions while we lived on earth. If you’ve chosen to follow Jesus, he will look at how you lived your life for him and others. If you haven’t chosen to follow him, it would seem he lets you know that your sins haven’t been paid for and you have to be separated from him for all eternity.
- Then Paul tells his readers that everything he does is for God first and also for them. He said he no longer lives his life for himself but instead for Jesus.
- Then Paul writes one of the most encouraging verses in the Bible, verse 17. We’re told that if we choose to follow Jesus we are given a second shot at life! All the past junk is gone and God restores our relationship. And God removes all our sins from us. After we come out of the waters of baptism God sees us as without any sin! That’s a seriously life changing thought.
- Paul closes with saying that we then are God’s ambassadors to the world. This is where a lot of people who say they follow Jesus miss it. God doesn’t save us and leave us on this planet to stay away from evil. He leaves us here because we are his representatives to everyone else. We are to be the catalysts that bring about change in this world.
The idea that God would separate someone from himself sounds kind of mean doesn’t it? The truth is God doesn’t choose that, we do. If we refuse to accept Jesus we are choosing to reject God. God wouldn’t be much of a loving God if he forced himself on us. Instead, he endures the pain of allowing us the freedom to reject him. The awesome thing is that after we choose to follow Jesus we have the privilege (and responsibility) to help lead others to the same grace we enjoy so they too can have a full life and one day live with God forever.
Questions: How does verse 17 make you feel? Relieved? Thankful? It should help us to have a better view of ourselves too. How about the fact that we are then God’s representatives to the world? God loves us so much that he gives us the keys to a relationship with him, not just our own freedom of choice but also the responsibility to share it with others. Who are you sharing the love God gave you with this week? What are some practical ways you can do that today? Who are you inviting to Tattoo Church to hear about God’s grace?
No comments:
Post a Comment