In Search Of Truth, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

So far in this chapter, Paul has told the Corinthians about the future eternal bodies for believers (v.1) and how we were made for this future and have been given the Holy Spirit for now as a "deposit" toward our eventual state. (v.5) Given this truth, our perspective is meant to be different(v.7), viewing this promised future as more important than our present circumstances. We also now see that our actions in this life effect our rewards in eternity(v.10). Christ's love will compel us to live differently and see our lives and the lives of others on these terms.(v.15-15) Because of this, Paul doesn't look at anyone from the perspective that comes naturally to humans, as he once did regarding Jesus.(v.16)

To be "in Christ" means to be united with him and his will. Paul uses this phrase to refer to trust and belief in Christ in general and trust in his sacrifice which pays our debt of sin in specific. Anyone who trusts Jesus for their forgiveness is a "new creation". Up to this point, Paul has talked about the future state of believers, but he says here that a believer in Christ is a new creation right now! (v.17)

Although our bodies, confined to four dimensions, do not change at the moment of belief in Christ, our immaterial being undergoes a transformation that is obvious to God. From a natural, four dimensional perspective, this is a hard truth to take encouragement from. But Paul has been urging us to see the world with an eternal, spiritual perspective. And as the Bible consistantly demonstrates its reliability in the realms of history and archeology, we can adopt this spiritual perspective with confidence that it is the truth and not simply a nice thought.

Paul reminds us of God's incomparable love when he says that all of these things are a gift from him.(v.18) Notice that we don't play a part in our reconciliation to God. It is God who restores the believer's relationship to him through the sacrifice of Christ. And now believers are given the opportunity to tell others about God's act of reconciliation! He could have given this role to the angels, but he chooses to use normal believers like you and me.

The message we have to share is condensed very simply here. God was united with Christ to reconcile the world to himself, not counting their sins against them(v.18-19) God is both perfect morally and absolutely just. So he knows that we are sinful even when we'd rather think we're not so bad. However, even while recognizing the depth of our sin, he provides a free and just solution through Christ.

Paul pleads with the Corinthian church, which likely contained some unbelievers, to recognize his words as the words of God, which plead with them to let God restore their relationship to him. (v.20)

This chapter ends with a staggering thought. Although Jesus never once sinned in his actions or even his thoughts, God gave him the role of sin on our behalf. Since God is absolutely just, he must punish sin and remove it from himself. This is what we see happening to Jesus on the cross. And as a result of this mysterious transaction, believers are given the righteousness of God. So when God looks at a person who trusts in Jesus and his sacrifice, he sees someone with God's own absolutely perfect moral character!(v.21)

Next Week-

The Life Of An Effective Christ Follower

Coffee House Question-

What have you found to be helpful as you aim to keep an "eternal perspective"?