Ministry Resources

NT Fire Starters – Day 248: 2 Corinthians 5:1-6:2

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:1–6:2

THINK: There are Christians who claim that believers can sometimes be so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good. But the truth is that Jesus’ followers who make the most positive and significant impact in this life are those who have their minds and affections focused firmly on the next life–eternity with Christ.

RESPOND: As a follower of Jesus, what hope do you have if you die or if Jesus returns before that? (See 5:1 notes.) How should this affect your life now? As Christ’s followers, what does it mean, “We live by faith, not by sight” (v. 7)? For a follower of Christ, what happens as soon as he or she dies? (See 5:8 note.) What will happen when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ (v. 10), and how should this affect your life now? (See article on Judgment of Believers, p. 1668.) What opposition did Paul face in Corinth, and how did he handle it? (See 5:13 note.) What does it mean that we should no longer live for ourselves “but for him who died…and was raised again” (v. 15)? For Jesus’ followers, what old things have gone and what new has come? What does it mean to be reconciled to God, and how did Jesus accomplish this for us? (See 5:18 note.) How must we respond to Jesus and live from then on? (See 5:18 note, sub-points 3 & 4.) What does it mean to be “Christ’s ambassadors”? (See 5:20 note.) In what way did God make Christ–who is sinless–“to be sin for us”? (See 5:21 note.) How does Jesus’ sacrifice allow you to “become the righteousness of God” (v. 21) and how should this impact your daily life?

PRAY: Give God thanks for the hope you have beyond earthly life. Pray for a strong sense of accountability to God. Thank Jesus for re-creating your life to fit His plan and for allowing you to represent Him to others.

ACT: Think of some “old things” in your life that you would like to change or that you know God has been wanting you to change. This includes attitudes, habits, etc. With God’s help, make a deliberate effort to do something new and better in those areas today and from now on.

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