April 1, 2022
Believers Are Fragile . . . for Now.
2 Corinthians 5
Mandy Figel
Central Truth
Believers are fragile . . . for now.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5
Our Heavenly Dwelling
1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on 1 5:3 Some manuscripts putting it off we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
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. 2 5:17 Or creature 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 3 5:19 Or God was in Christ, 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.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 5
Hi, I'm Mandy, and I get to be your tour guide for today's passage! Buckle up, because there are a ton of truths to tackle and things you don't want to miss in 2 Corinthians 5. First, we'll look at 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, as this section informs our understanding of the remaining verses.
Paul relates our earthly bodies to tents—temporary and fragile—and the future hope of our heavenly bodies to buildings—permanent and strong. We "groan," longing not just for suffering to end, but for the day we get to experience the glory of our heavenly state. God hasn't brought us home just yet, so we find ourselves in the "in between." We have an eternal perspective while still in a temporary state, and this informs how we view ourselves and relate to others.
How does an eternal perspective inform our view of self?
Our suffering is not wasted (Romans 8:28), and the longing we experience reminds us of the glory to come (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). We stand for truth and endure suffering with great courage (2 Corinthians 5:6, 8), and we are released from our fear of death (Philippians 1:23). Our objective is to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9), as we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) with new hearts that desire to be like Him. We are filled with the love of Christ, which forms our thoughts and actions (2 Corinthians 5:14). We are forever changed by the truth, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
How does an eternal perspective inform how we relate to others?
Every human we encounter is a soul with eternal value. No longer regarding others according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16) means that we do not make judgments according to appearance, social status, ability, or any other worldly metric. We have become ambassadors of Christ entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18, 20), inviting others to accept the free gift of a relationship with God!
Discussion Questions
1. What are you experiencing right now in either your health or external circumstances that make you groan and long for heaven? How can an eternal perspective inform your view of your personal suffering?
2. Can you say with honesty, I "would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord?" Why or why not? Do you think you would have greater courage if you were able to maintain this perspective?
3. Do you see others as having intrinsic value simply because they are humans with eternal souls? This doesn't just apply to your family or friends, but to strangers, to coworkers, and to enemies. Who in your life is hardest for you to love? Why? How can you go out of your way to love them this week?
4. What do you think it looks like to be an ambassador for Christ in your current situation? Is it possible God has placed you in your current family, work environment, neighborhood, or friend group in order to be an embassy location of the kingdom of God for those around you to experience?
5. How often can you say that you have invited someone to be reconciled to God? Pray for God to give you a heart that longs for the salvation of others and is willing to share with them the gift of the gospel!