We have been taking a journey through 2 Corinthians. In chapter 3 we saw that eh enemy will try to hard to cloud the vision of the believer of Christ to draw them away.
So today we are going to look through . We will explore what Paul says about how our faith will shape our life. How will God’s vision shape my daily life. The way we live, attitudes, and responses to life.
Divine vision requires divine truth.
Paul first points out a contrast. Once there was a perspective that was shaped by the world that was so far reaching that it even defined our perspective of Jesus. He is pointing out the source of this thinking. Many Jews of the day had their own idea of what Messiah would be. Some superman like figure that would sweep in and save the world. But now that God has defined his perspective, we have to let go of the worldly perspective.
But now that we have followed Jesus, we are new creatures. We throw off the baggage and old perspectives, and we pick up God’s truth. We can see culture more and more pushing for the message in the Bible to be warped and made irrelevant. But just like Paul said to the people or Corinth, we have to throws off those old (also current) things, and pick up the eternal truth of God.
Here we can see Paul speaking in regards to the philosophies of the world. They will utilize deceptive and hallow things to try to confuse and to draw people away front he truth of Jesus. We need to be aware and fight against these things.
Devine vision requires right relationship.
God has been described as a judge who will make right the wrongs in his creation. But at the same time, God wants a relationship with us beyond that of just a judge. That he wants to reconcile the world, save it and not just condemn it. He sends Jesus to save us.
Divine vision requires divine responsibility.
So now we have this truth. God wants to reconcile us through Christ Jesus. So how do we live that out? I you are not being consistent living out that message, people will fix on those moments that you are not consistent. Revelation says that Jesus gets sick over our luke warm Christian lives. But we are to shout out in all we do the truth of God. Not to be perfect, but to display the mercy of God and wish others to join in that relationship.
Divine vision secures and enjoys divine outcomes.
God’s vision is focused on our salvation. His plan is a fulfillment of that vision. That Jesus took on our sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. He wants us to enjoy the salvation he provides, but he also wants us to make disciples to enjoy it as well.
So we are left with a challenge, how does God’s grace remain active in our lives?
5:1 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 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.
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. 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 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. (ESV)
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. (ESV)
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (ESV)
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; (ESV)
19 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. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (ESV)
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. (ESV)