Living a New Life in Christ.

The healing process takes time. The Corinthian church was healing, and Paul urges them to return to their mission. The overall focus in this chapter is pleasing God and living for redemptive purposes.

Last week, we concluded with the distractions of externalism and criticism in 2 Corinthians 5:11-13.

Personalization (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

The purpose of Christ’s death is that those He redeems would live for Him. This is in contrast to merely externally religious people who live for themselves, who disrupt normal church function as thieves of spiritual joy. True Christians live in the power of resurrection life.

The “control” exerted by the love of Christ is a daily observable presence. He died our death for us so we can live His life for Him. We also die to our sinful former way of life when we are saved (Romans 6:1-14). We live with eternal purposeful intention.

Conviction (2 Corinthians 5:16)

As we live Christ’s life, we are not to take a superficial or worldly view of people. God sees people’s spiritual condition. Our primary identification is in Jesus Christ. The original audience of this letter faced many competing identities, as we do today. Paul confronted religious externalism and the Jew/Gentile dichotomy. The ways the world evaluates a person and their character often cripple Gospel mission.

Condition (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The “old things” in this familiar verse refer primarily to one’s old identity. The details of one’s life are all part of God’s unique will for that individual; but the primary thing we should be known for is our new life in Christ. Likewise, this is the primary thing we should care to know in others. Maturity demands setting the old aside.

Mission (2 Corinthians 5:18)

Christians now share the same purpose for which Jesus lived: to point people to a reconciled relationship with God. Those whom the Gospel has changed will share it with others often!

Application Points

• How does the world evaluate a person and their character? Is this how God views people?
• What keeps you distracted from praying evangelistically?
• The details of your life are all part of God’s unique will for you; but what is the primary thing you want to be known for? What do you primarily want to know about others?
• If the Gospel has changed you, how often do you give it to others? Has this increased or decreased during this unique time of great opportunity?

Cross References

• Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2 - Our identification is in Christ.

• Matthew 10:33 - We must share the Gospel.

Hymn: “I Gave My Life for Thee” by Frances Havergal

I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might'st ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead;
I gave, I gave My life for thee–
What hast thou giv'n for Me?
I gave, I gave My life for thee–
What hast thou giv'n for Me?

My Father's house of light,
My glory-circled throne,
I left, for earthly night,
For wand'rings sad and lone;
I left, I left it all for thee–
Hast thou left aught for Me?
I left, I left it all for thee–
Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee,
More than thy tongue can tell,
Of bitt'rest agony,
To rescue thee from hell;
I've borne, I've borne it all for thee–
What hast thou borne for Me?
I've borne, I've borne it all for thee–
What hast thou borne for Me?

And I have brought to thee,
Down from My home above,
Salvation full and free,
My pardon and My love;
I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee–
What hast thou brought to Me?
I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee–
What hast thou brought to Me?