Passage
2 Corinthians 5
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (2 Corinthians 5:6-9 ESV)
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 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. (vs 14-15)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; (vs 17-18)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (vs. 20-21)
Comments & Questions
vs. 6-9
Heaven is your true home and if you are a follower of Christ, you are a representative for God here (see verse 20) – this earth is NOT your true home. You weren’t designed to stay in an imperfect place filled with sin and things that dishonor God and don’t satisfy you.
1. Are you living your life like you believe this?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you desire to “be at home with the Lord”?
3. What would it look like for you to live knowing this life is very temporary and Heaven lies ahead?
vs. 14-15, 17-18
When you repent of your sins and accept Christ as your savior, you become an adopted child of God and you die to your former self. YOU ARE A NEW CREATION. Why return to former ways, where you lived for yourself – money, fleeting pleasures, pleasing people over God – when God has made you someone new with a new heart bent on loving Him and living for Him?
4. What things in your life show evidence of this transformation?
5. What changes would need to occur in your life for you to live for Christ and not for yourself?
vs. 20-21
God doesn’t just clean us up to store us away so we won’t be tempted by the world, but He sanctifies us for His purpose.
6. What is that purpose for which He sanctifies us? What would it look like for you to live out this purpose more fully on a day-to-day basis?
Devotional Author: Jeff Oleson