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2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Personal Challenge

For those of us who follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, one thing is in common, we believe that Christ died for all. Where the challenge comes in is whether or not we are willing to die to ourselves and not live for ourselves. The last two years of living in the midst of a pandemic has revealed how easy it is for some to ignore this expectation of our Lord and live for ourselves. There are so many who proclaim Jesus as their Loaf and yet refuse to do what can be atone to defeat this pandemic and protect those around them by choosing to be vaccinated and wear masks. They proclaim that it is a violation of their rights and freedoms, all the while helping to spread misinformation and even Covid. If we are truly choosing to die to ourselves and to live for God and love our neighbor above ourselves then we will have no problem doing what is best for them, not what we prefer for us. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Encouraging Words

The whole essence of being a growing and thriving follower of Christ is faith. Jesus is the object, the person, that our faith is put in. He is our Savior. He is our sustainer. He is our Lord. He is our life. The extent of our faith is everything. We trust and hope in Him in every aspect of our lives, every action, every thought, every breath, every beat of our heart. Our faith in Him makes us confident, gives us hope, and makes it possible to walk this journey of life looking to Him. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 5:1

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Encouraging Words

It is encouraging to know that even though the bodies that we live in are temporary, we have permanent, eternal bodies waiting for us in heaven. This gives us something to hope for, especially as the years pass by and our bodies begin to wear down. We have a future that is so much brighter than any of our past or present could ever be. That future is illumined by the eternal presence of our God. Glory be to Him!

2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Encouraging Words

It is indeed encouraging to know that as each day passes and we get one day closer to old age our Lord Jesus Christ is within us, renewing us over and over again. Our bodies and minds may be growing older and more feeble, yet our spirits are being lifted up and renewed by the grace and mercy of God. This is a promise that can be held onto, embraced, and cherished. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Encouraging Words

God has made us fragile so that we will always be reminded that is not ourselves that make us great in this world, but God dwelling within us, working in and through us, and blessing us with His great mercy. He does this because He loves us and in His eyes we are worth every iota of His love and mercy that He chooses to pour out upon us. There is nothing that we can do to earn it. We don’t have to. He gives it to us freely, even though it was very costly for Him. Knowing this is what makes it easier for this cracked pot to make it through each day. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

2 Corinthians 4:6

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Encouraging Words

In the creation account we hear the proclamation from God, “Let there be light!” God is the creator of light and He consistently shines His light into the dark corners of our lives and hearts in order to give us the knowledge of His glory, which is manifested through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is His light that illumines us and leads us into eternity. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 4:1

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

Personal Challenge

We are all given gifts and talents from our Lord as we follow Him through our lives. We are also given ministries in which we can use those gifts and talents for His glory. Sometimes we encounter resistance as we exercise those gifts and talents for Him, just as Paul did. We can hold onto our Lord and mercy that He has given us and not lose heart. If He has called us to do His work, and we are doing it for Him, He will guide and comfort us through this resistance. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

Encouraging Words

As a follower of Christ, has our lives been visibly changed so that people see us different from others? According to Paul, the only recommendation that he needs to point him out as a follower of Christ is all of the people whom he has brought to the saving knowledge of Christ and whose lives have been visibly changed by having the epistle of Christ written on their hearts. This too should be our goal in life, to have the epistle of Christ written on our hearts and to be raising up others that are the same. Glory be to God!