Tag: Devotion

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

It is Christ’s love that is imparted to us giving us the capacity to love others. The Apostle Paul himself was a blasphemer. He persecuted Christians. Indeed, if Christ has not had compassion on him, he would have perished eternally. He was turned around by the blinding that came to Him when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. He was subsequently healed of his blindness. He was grateful for being connected with His Creator and Sustainer and Saviour. He experienced the peace, love and joy of God imparted to his heart. He testified in Romans 5:1-2, 5b-8, 11 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God… because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us… And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

2 Corinthians 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

The zeal of the Apostle Paul and his mission team was misconstrued, they were branded falsely as being insane. Their zealousness was for the service of God and for the well-being of the believers in Corinth. They were passionate and fully devoted to the cause of God. This is not the first instance that he was charged with madness, Festus said the same in Acts 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

2 Corinthians 5:12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

The Apostle Paul is not involved in any self-praise. Rather, he wanted to ensure that he defend the authenticity of his ministry. Being attacked, he sought to defend his position as God’s servant. William MacDonald said well, “He wanted the believers to know how to answer these attacks on him, and so he was giving them this information that they might be able to defend him when he was condemned in their presence.”

2 Corinthians 5:9-11 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

The Apostle Paul is not articulating that God mete out terrible judgment upon believers and there we are to shudder and fear. Rather, the Judgment Seat of Christ is for rewards and loss of rewards in Christian service. As William MacDonald observed, “Paul is not speaking so much of the terror of the Lord for the unsaved as of the reverential awe in which he sould to serve the Lord and to please Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

A time will come when believers will be presented before Christ to receive a judgment on our life of service for Him. Christ will give the verdict. William MacDonald said well, “The judgment seat of Christ will reveal our lives of service for Christ exactly as they have been. Not only the amount of our service, but also its quality, and even the very motives that prompted it will be brought into review.”

2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

As believers, we are exhorted to have our life focus upon God’s approval, to live for God’s glory in our lives. Solomon came to this same conclusion at the latter end of his life when he testified in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The greatest assurance for life is the hope of eternal life. When we will take our last breath, we are confident that in Jesus Christ, we shall be present with the Lord. This is the believer’s strength for life. He has the confidence, come what may, the end is safely secured in Christ. Therefore, daily he trusts in the Lord’s guidance to bring him safely to his eternal destination in heaven. There is no fretting but a zeal to delight in the Lord, following Him in the meditation of His Word for wisdom. Wisdom to make godly decisions for a new day.

To be with Christ is far better. Yet, we have unfinished work on earth. Jesus gave the parable of the talents to encourage His people to be spiritually productive, to bear fruits of righteousness. They are to use their talent to make gain for the Lord until they will enter into the joy of the Lord.

The word “talent” is a measure of weight. It derives its name from the fact that it is a weight of circular shape. In the metrics system, it is the weight of between 28-30kg. Its weight is in either silver or gold. In short, one talent represented a large sum of money to use and invest for profit.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

The Reformer John Calvin defined biblical faith said, “Faith is superior to human intelligence. It comes with the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Faith, therefore, us a singular gift of God in two respects, both as the mind is enlightened to understand the truth of God, and as the heart is established in it. For the Holy Spirit not only originates faith but increases it by degree till he conducts us by it all the way to the heavenly kingdom.”

Indeed, Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Noah was told by God that the world will be judged with a global flood. He was commanded to build an ark to escape the catastrophe to come. He did. Hebrews 11:7 tells the testimony of Noah’s obedient faith, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Faith is trusting God’s Word and acting upon it.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

The Apostle Paul shared the open secret of the blessed life with God through faith in God’s Word as revealed in the Scripture. And the yielding of the heart to believe and act upon God’s promises is to walk by faith. The believer is to believe in God through Christ and he shall see the glory of God’s presence with him moment by moment, day by day. A happy walk. He is not encumbered by external circumstances and persons but his focus is to be obedient to God’s will as revealed in His Word.

Enoch is a good example of one who walked with God. It is recorded in Genesis 5:21-24 twice that Enoch walked with God. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

For the Apostle Paul, he longs to be with Jesus in eternity. Nevertheless, at the time of his writing this letter, he is at home in the body, and absent from the Lord. His work on earth is not done. He expressed this longing in Philippians 1:20-26 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

John W. Peterson wrote this inspiring hymn “All Things Work Out for Good” to encourage God’s people to trust Him as He works out His best design for their lives