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6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:6-17 NIV)
A blessed and special Wednesday to you, ConCafe Famiy and may this day be yours to enjoy and explore and explain the wonders of God's love, Friend is my prayer for you! May we continue to pray for the needs shared with us; pray for one another, and pray for your needs. Lift them in faith, expecting that God will answer all according to His will for you.
Paul speaks of faith causing confidence, and that is important to please Jesus. Paul's desire was to be in the presence of Jesus again, and as soon as he could; yet he also knew that he had a mission to fulfill and it was that of sharing Jesus with the whole world, especially even among Caesar and other rulers, and as many people as he could. And Paul stresses that a key component of faith is to know that we live our lives by faith and not by sight. In other words, we, being supernatural people, know there is a spiritual realm invisible to the human eye and it is in that realm where our power lay; knowing that one day we would be called before the presence of the Lord and be judged for all we did down here while we were at home in the body and away from Jesus. And since we, as belivers know what pleases God, that is a huge part of our message to others, especially the unknowing. God already knows how and who we are; and our conscience also lets us know that as well. Paul seeks those who know him and the believers he has brought into the kingdom serve as role models to others, and the goal of others is to model their lives after true believers. Yes, Paul says, some will think " are 'out of our mind,'" but that is all for the honor of God. If, on the other hand, we are "in our right mind," then it is for humans. The love of Christ compels us to share the news that since one died for all, therefore all should die for others as well. Christ died for everyone, and therefore, we should live our lives not for ourselves, but for Him who died for all, and was raised from the dead. Therefore, our point of view should not be a worldly one, especially when it comes to others. And especially when it comes to how we see Jesus. And this passage ends in a marvelous way, verse 17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Amen!
When it comes to most of us, we prefer the new versus the old in some things. And your tastes may vary, so I won't try to compare any one thing because at least one person will say, "No, when it comes to such and such, I prefer the old." But when it comes to a spiritual life and the way we treat our souls, only the new will do. A new life, a new soul gives us the point of view that Paul has been describing; how we see all things, especially others and most especailly Jesus. When Paul had his life-altering encounter with Jesus, Jesus went from hated enemy to beloved Savior. Where once Jesus served to stir Paul to anger and action against Him and His followers, that encounter on the Damascus Road and the time he spent in prayer and fasting, changed his point of view towards all things. The enemy became the fellow followers of Jesus. The religious leaders that Paul once tried to please became the ones he tried to convert. The religious traditions and practices he once so firmly held on to, became the things he now understood to hold little to no meaning; the things that mattered more than traditions, rituals, and practices were Jesus' love and grace; His offer of a forgiveness that wiped away sin was now key to his message and ministry. Where once he was compelled to stay within the known regions of Judaism, Paul now felt the urge to preach in every part of the world, so that the world might come to faith in Jesus Christ. You talk about faith causing confidence, just look at all that Paul was able to do because of his faith in the living Christ.
Friend, your future is rooted in faith and the things yet to be done by you in whatever you have been called to do by Jesus. No limitations or obstacles can be stronger than the Holy Spirit of Jesus alive and at work in you. You have, thanks to Our Lord, the power to change the world, one soul at a time, and save those souls for the kingdom that is yet to come.
PRAYER: Loving Father, speak to our souls and make them new. Speak to our antiquated points of view and make the fresh and new, and guide us to new life in Christ Jesus. Help us right now take the first step to the transformation of the world through faith; in Christ Jesus we pray; amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show someone how you are brand new in the Lord today!
Receive my blessings of joy and power, in Jesus Christ,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
