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.
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. 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.
REFLECTION
- Paul defends his ministry and message of reconciliation in this passage. He understood the nature of reconciliation – to bring into harmony with. Paul was sure that God, who in Christ has reconciled the world to Himself, will work in the believer’s life until he lives that life of righteousness that reveals the harmonious relationship with the Lord (v21). “God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (v19). And Paul didn’t hold the Corinthians’ sins against them. Instead he communicated total confidence. He fully believes that the purpose for which Christ died for us will be accomplished, and the lives of believers will be brought into harmony (reconciled) with the righteousness of God.
- With this assurance, we are freed also not to count the sins of those in our family or in our faith. We’re freed not to hold their failures against them. And we’re free to communicate our confidence that, though they stumble, they will rise again. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ” (v17)
- Go back to Reflection #3 of Chapter 2. Use this passage as a base for your prayer for that person. Pray that God will remove any critical and judgmental spirit in you. And teach you to continue to contact and encourage this person and bring him/her back to the church family.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.
If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.
Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible. If your children are younger, you may read v17 only.)
In the newspaper we may read an advertisement boasting a newly remodeled home – all new cabinets, new flooring, and so on. Paul tells us that when we accept Jesus as Saviour, we are new creations on the inside – “the old has gone, the new has come!” What does this mean? How are you a new creation because of what Christ has done?
Proverbs for Today 19:22-25
22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.