All Things Are Become New

II Corinthians 5

In a lot of ways 2020 has been a rough year. Many people are looking forward to the "New" year in hopes that it will be better. I must admit that I do not have much confidence in 2021 being any better than 2020 because the powers that be seem set on a continuation of the same lousy aspects of this year. I am so glad that my hope is not in years but in God. With that in mind, II Corinthians 5 is an awesome chapter of HOPE!

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For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

II Corinthians 5

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I know this is a lot of scripture, but don't tune me out yet. I'm not going to go verse by verse.

Verse 1-8 tell us about the new bodies that we look forward to in Heaven. The older I get the more I look forward to this. Yes, there is the physical aspect of aches and pains, but there is also something different. There is a discontentment with my current status. It is not physical. Paul said it this way in verse 4, "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life". The groaning, or longing, is for my new body. I think more than riddance of the aches and pains, I long to be rid of sin. To be free from temptations and trials. As Paul said in verse 8, "willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord".

Paul wasn't calling everyone to gather in a room and drink poison Kool-Aid though. In verse 9-21 he says that are to live for Christ while we have life in this body. Here are the highlights.

* Verses 9-10 New Labor - We labor so that we may be found faithful when Christ returns.

* Verse 11-12 New Mission - We persuade men of Christ (Evangelism, Admonition, Instruction)

* Verse 13-15 New Life - We have died to sin and live in Christ

* Verse 16-17 New Identity - We are not who we are, but are new creatures in Christ

* Verse 18-20 New Ministry - We lead others to reconciliation with God because we have been reconciled to Him.

* Verse 21 New Righteousness - We had no righteousness before, but in Christ we reveal His righteousness.

There is nothing critical in this chapter. There is hope and purpose. This is something that many people in the world are missing and longing for. We have the answer to their longing and while we wait for God to give us the longing of our heart (Heaven), we are to tell others how where they can find the longings of their heart (Jesus).

Father, help me to be faithful as I wait for your appearing. I pray that I would be found faithful when you arrive. May I see people saved and others encouraged in your. Thank you for the hope we have in you.