August 15, 2010
2 Corinthians 5
Real Life is where Living is Really Live-In!
Reality 1 (1-4): Like it or not, "in this world we will have trouble" (John 16:33). In this world we will be bruised, beaten and burdened. We moan, gripe, and even cry, regardless of what we do or don't do, regardless of what we know or don't know, regardless of what we have or don't have; still we all struggle, hurt and have problems, issues and concerns; all the time. GUESS WHAT: that's the way it's supposed to be in a world of choice, where decisions have long-impacting consequences. REALITY CHECK: we are eternal, spiritual beings in a temporal, mortal body...these opposites make us "groan" and long for something more. This longing leads to desire; which makes us say yes or no to God (the 'yes' decision being His "very purpose").
Reality 2 (5): To those that say 'yes', He has given us "the Spirit as a deposit" and taste of what is to come. A deposit is a "guaranty" of contractual performance. The stronger the deposit the more solid the guaranty. His deposit of Jesus is the most solid guaranty ever given. His future provision under this guaranty is eternal living to "clothe" our eternal spirits; a perfect fit ( 'in order to know you first must let go'). How do I know I have the "deposit"? DO you sense a:
- Desire to Seek Him
- Drawing, Compelling to Serve Him
- Discernment of Scripture & Circumstance
- Deliberate Conscience of Decision
- Dedicated Heart of Fruitfulness
Reality 3(18-19): We are reconciled to God through the Sacrifice of Christ. He has given us the ministry and message of reconciliation for all the world needing innocence in the face of immorality & sinfulness. The body slowly decays with sin, but the eternal soul is quickly destroyed by it. God's Spirit and the mindset of continual sin cannot coexist.
Response 1 (6-10): Confidence in our faith and in our future; makes us pursue His pleasure. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling"(Philippians 2:12), so that what is "done" in loving response today yields what is "due" in mercy & grace in eternity. 1Corinthian 3:11-15.
Response 2 (11-17): Compelled by love and convinced by Christ's mercy, we "live for Him" and we "try and persuade men" of what we know to be true; holding "proud" to what is in our heart. We stop looking at Christ through the world's eyes, and begin to see the world through Christ eye's. We recognize that every one of us needs a new beginning; cleansed from the filth of the world and with a new eternal perspective.
Response 3 (20-6:2): Useful to God's calling, we serve as His "ambassadors & fellow workers". We "appeal, implore, urge" acceptance of God's favor and salvation; TODAY and for all time..
