Trading Places (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.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, KJV) It was around Christmas time many years ago. Our Wednesday evening service was completed. I locked up the church and drove home. As I was drivingContinue reading “Trading Places (2 Cor 5:21)”

Ambassadors (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.” (2 Corinthians 5:20, KJV) When I worked for a company headquartered in Zurich Switzerland, I would travel to the headquarters two or three times a year. Each visit wouldContinue reading “Ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20)”

Paying it Forward (2 Cor 5:18-19)

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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.” (2 Corinthians 5:18–19, KJV)Continue reading “Paying it Forward (2 Cor 5:18-19)”

New Creation (2 Cor 5:17)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV) When I concluded my active-duty military service, I looked for a career that would utilize my undergraduate degree in engineering. I interviewed with several companies. One was an automaker andContinue reading “New Creation (2 Cor 5:17)”

Proper Views (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.” (2 Corinthians 5:16, KJV) The recently released movie “Jesus Revolution” recounts the Jesus movement of the 60’s and 70’s. It began in California and swept across the nation. TheContinue reading “Proper Views (2 Cor 5:16)”

Power of Love (2 Cor 5:11-15)

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 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.” (2 Corinthians 5:14–15, KJV) In 1985, a popContinue reading “Power of Love (2 Cor 5:11-15)”

You’ve Got to Have Heart (2 Corinthians 5:12-13)

“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. 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 inContinue reading “You’ve Got to Have Heart (2 Corinthians 5:12-13)”

Driven by Reverence (2 Cor 5:11)

“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.” (2 Corinthians 5:11, ESV) Motivation in life is important. Some have an inner drive for survival. In 1914-15, Earnest Shackleton led the Trans-Artic Expedition to be theContinue reading “Driven by Reverence (2 Cor 5:11)”

The Reward (2 Corinthians 5:10)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, KJV) When I attended college, I excelled on the rifle team. There I won trophies five years inContinue reading “The Reward (2 Corinthians 5:10)”

Courageous Confidence (2 Cor 5:6-9)

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whetherContinue reading “Courageous Confidence (2 Cor 5:6-9)”