II Corinthians Study II Corinthians 5:1-21 A Wonderful Christian Perspective

In the preceding chapter, the grand Apostle Paul had discussed the fact that the outward man perishes, but the inward man is renewed day by day (II Corinthians 4:16).  Now Paul discusses the fact that the house (old tent) that we now possess is dissolving, but God is going to give us a new body in heaven (v. 1).  This eternal body will be given to us at the Rapture!  Paul stated that we groan in our old body, earnestly looking for our new body from heaven, for we will be clothed in Christ’s righteousness (vv. 2-3).  Paul states further that we groan in these old bodies, not because we are worried about being naked; moreover, we know that we shall be clothed with the righteousness of Christ (v. 4).

In all of our frailties and weaknesses, we (believers) have been given the earnest of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is our earnest.  The Holy Spirit guarantees us that we will move out of this body and will be granted a new house (body) in heaven! (v. 5).  As long as we are in this body, we are absent from the Lord (v. 6).  However, when we leave this body, we are confident we will be present with the Lord (vv. 7-8).

Brothers and Sisters, knowing these things, we walk by faith, not by sight!  As believers, we are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:5-6) which is our standing before God; however, to be accepted of Him refers to our state, the way we live our lives (v. 9).  We should live ambitious lives for Him, that is to be accepted of Him!  Paul revealed that believers (the church) will appear before the bema or Judgment Seat of Christ to receive a reward or not.

We will all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and will answer to the Lord for the way we lived our lives in our bodies!  Remember, we will all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ after the Rapture, not as a judgment for our sins which were atoned by Christ, but to receive a reward or not.  We will stand before the bema, the Judgment Seat of Christ, to be judged for rewards.  The fact that one day Paul would stand before his Saviour really awed him.

Contemplating that moment propelled Paul to fear the Lord and spurred him in the Lord’s service.  The purpose of his ministry was to persuade men to “be reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:20).  The Apostle Paul was not concerned about his own reputation among the Corinthians; moreover, he was concerned about the reception of his message.  He needed to be regarded as a servant of the Lord so that his message would be regarded as the message of God.  Therefore, Paul had little regard for his own interest, but was totally devoted to God and the ministry (vv. 12-13).  Paul was totally committed to the cause of Christ!

Paul unveiled that it was the love of Christ that motivated him.  Paul carried forth the message of Christ’s death and resurrection and stated that our lives should be devoted to Him (Christ) and that we should live henceforth to the glory of God (vv. 14-15).  As a result of his conversion, Paul no longer viewed people on the basis of externals.  Paul had once evaluated Christ from a worldly point of view.  As believers, we should not evaluate a man on the basis of his social status or racial makeup.  We don’t recognize any man after the flesh, for Christ died for all humanity.

The same Jesus “who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” is now seated at the right Hand of God.  He is the glorified Christ, and we don’t view Him after the flesh (v. 16).  Paul stated as believers we are a new creation.  Having trusted Christ as Saviour, old relationships have passed away.  We are no longer in Adam and we are not identified with the world system!  We are identified with Christ.  We have a new relationship with Christ.  We are no longer subject to condemnation and judgment but have eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus (v. 17).

As believers, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation, which is God’s call for all lost men to be reconciled to Himself.  God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.  The death of Christ was essential for the world to be reconciled to God.  Because of the death of Christ, the position of the world has been changed.  The death of Christ has made it possible for lost mankind to come to God (vv. 18-19).

In verse 20, Paul says that we are ambassadors for Christ, telling others to be reconciled to God.  Finally, in verse 21, Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, became our substitute so that we might be made

the righteousness of God in Him.

May God Bless!