2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 (NRSV)
Read 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord- Verse 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. Verse 8Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. Verse 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. Verse 10For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil. Verse 11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences.
Verse 12We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. Verse 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. Verse 14For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. Verse 15And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
Verse 16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. Verse 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Devotion
I recently came across a quote that I like: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” (Nelson Henderson) But what a challenge this is in a world where seeing results or return on investment is what matters!
I’ve got a picture from the 1940’s of my mother sitting beside her hope chest, a photo she sent to her fiancé, my dad, during WWII. A crease down the center shows where my dad folded it to tuck it into his pocket. That exchange certainly demonstrates hope and a faith in their future together—all the more powerful when on the reverse you see my dad’s name and rank and the stalag where he was a prisoner of war when he received the photo.
In our community of faith, we can help each other walk by faith, confident in whatever the future brings. As Paul concludes in this reading, “in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”
Prayer
Lord, while we are at home in the body, strengthen our confidence so daily we can walk by faith, trusting in your loving care as we look forward to the joys of a new creation. Amen.
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