2 Cor 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
When Christ comes again for us, we shall have a glorified body.2 Cor 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Also we shall have a heavenly dwelling place.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
We shall not be naked and ashamed, but clothed in white clothing of Christ's righteousness.2 Cor 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Jesus speaks to today's church.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Not only do we groan in the flesh looking for the coming of the Lord, but all creation waits for the Life giving Lord.Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.Our wait is made fruitful by the earnest of the spirit. By the spirit, we have grace, a sound mind and God's power to overcome. An earnest, downpayment on our future total glory. Come Lord Jesus.
2 Cor 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.2 Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Phil 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
Phil 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Phil 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.If we are serving the Lord and doing what he has purposed, we will continue here, it would seem.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.We belong to Jesus, and he will receive us into glory regardless, yet those who are faithful now shall have more rewards in heaven. We are not told much about what we shall do in heaven, but we are told what to do here. We are to be his witnesses and to shine forth his spiritual fruit in a darkened world. Eternal life began the day we were received by Jesus. We have passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
Ministers of Reconciliation
For your benefit2 Cor 5:11 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.
"terror of the Lord" -- fear, solemn fear2 Cor 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."we are made manifest unto God" -- made known, open to sight, clearly visible (not hiding or in darkness of sin)
Lately one foolish man, an atheist who openly rejects God and ridicules his word and me his witness has been harassing me. He has been threatening to expose all I say to him about the Lord on his web page. Like Paul, all that is said is manifest, it is clearly visible to God. But to those who dwell in darkness, it is not received and they have no fear of God. We warn these of the coming judgment, and they mock, still we continue to hold forth the light. Our conscience is clear our hearts are faithful to the message of the gospel. What is foolishness to the world, is to us the power of God and salvation.
2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Cor 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Glory in the truth, not selfish vanity.2 Cor 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Whether we seem to be overwhelmed by circumstances, still we trust in God. Whether we be sober, thinking with a sound mind, the same is true, all things are unto God for your good and to build you up.
Alive to Christ 2 Cor 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
"constraineth" -- restricts our fleshly behaviour, we do not glory in the flesh, we are not beside ourselves, the Spirit of Jesus is with us and we glorify God.2 Cor 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
We are of God, not our own. He directs our lives and we are at peace knowing we are in his love. Our life is serving him through loving and serving others. Then we shall be with him for eternity, never apart from his love. Here, we see much evil, there shall be no evil in his presence.
All things become new 2 Cor 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
"after the flesh" -- from a human viewpoint; NIV --" So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer."2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.How about ourselves? Do we judge ourselves unworthy, due to age or lack in the flesh? We must know all in Christ after the spirit. The spirit is gentle the spirit is kind and looks to the good of another. What would Jesus do?
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded 1s life and peace.
This is the bornagain in the spirit of God conversion, it is the beginning of a new life in Christ. Notice the "if" some say "I am a Christian" without the evidence of God's spirit in their life. What are these evidences? A hunger for God's word. A hunger and thirst for the things of God. The fruit of the spirit are shown. (Gal 5:22,23) Sin and it's presence upsets you, you seek the way of God. Your sins are forgiven. You tell others about Jesus, because you are forgiven and free. These are some of the evidences. If a person continues in sin and is not changed, he probably is not in Christ.Lord I ask for your grace to not see in the flesh or desire things in the flesh. Make my heart a heart after Jesus, with his love and wisdom and kindness towards others. Make me a blessing. In Jesus name, amen.
Reconciled 2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
"reconciled" -- denotes to change, exchange; to change from enmity to friendship. What God accomplishes through Jesus, grace given through the work of Christ on the cross, the forgiveness of sins. People who are in sin, strangers and aliens from God are invited to be reconciled to God through the shed blood of our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;Jesus did it all, our sins are forgiven in him. We are to receive his grace through faith in him and we are to continue with him. Salvation is not something said from our lips and then set on the shelf to be pulled down at death as insurance to get us into heaven. Salvation is through Jesus by faith, the evidence being reconciliation. A heart that no longer opposes God, but rather draws close to him. We learn of our Lord and conform our lives to his will and purpose. God is not our servant to grant our fleshly desires. We are servants of the most high God. Our flesh is crucified with Christ. The life we live is a living sacrifice so that we may reach others for Christ and experience victory in living. Our goal is to be like Jesus and when we are with him we will know him and be known of him.
Ambassadors for Christ 2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
"ambassadors" -- to be elder or eldest; to be an ambassador, suggesting that to be an ambassador for Christ involves the experience suggested by elder, messengers for Christ.2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.The message? Be reconciled to Christ. the messengers? Anyone who has been born of God's spirit through Jesus Christ.
Prov 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. (healing)
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."ambassador in bonds" -- in chains, written while imprisoned in Rome
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"redemption" -- to deliver by paying a price, his blood shed
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
"propitiation" -- Jesus Christ completely satisfied the demands of the just and holy God for judgment of sin by his death on the cross.
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
He has risen from the grave to show that he is God's beloved son, who came as a love gift to the world. His mission, to bring a people to God, made holy and pure through Jesus' obedience to the Father God. This is our message, Jesus is our sin remover and the forgiveness of God. God says to us come home to my love, you were created to walk in fellowship with your Father. You are no longer alone and separated, you are one with God and in his family. Satan tries to divide and steal and kill, Jesus has come to destroy the work of the devil, and to give us newness of life, delivering us from death unto eternal life. Praise Jesus!
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2Corinthians 6
2Corinthians 1 Table of Contents
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