2 Corinthians – Chapter 5

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 – The Corinthian church certainly had their opinions about Paul. Paul’s lifestyle of poverty, his lack of showy appearance, and his willingness to endure such persecutions was counter everything the people of Corinth was about. They truly though Paul was out of his mind for existing the way he did, but Paul’s response to such criticism is beautiful. He made it clear why he lived the way he did…because the love of Jesus had changed his life. Jesus’ love changed and captured his mind, heart, and soul. He lived like he did, spoke like he did, navigated the trials he did, and endured the persecution he did because he had chosen to now live for the One who died for him. While such a lifestyle didn’t make sense to the church in Corinth, hopefully not only can we understand Paul’s life but we imitate it as well. Jesus died for us and has demonstrated the greatest love towards us in all of history. Has then the love of Jesus changed your life? Does it control you? Has there been a change in your story from living for self and sin to now living for the One who sacrificed all for you? As we grow in our knowledge of all that Jesus truly has done for us and what we have in our story as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice, it will fuel our desire to live more sacrificially for Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3128

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 – We know that once home in Heaven our lives will be this constant lifting up of our praise to God. But what about right now while we’re still living on earth, “away” as we read it in this passage? Truly I think the best life we can live on earth is one that mirrors what our life will be like in Heaven. One that is fully focused on our Father, one that is full of worship towards Him, one that has an aim to please Him. Today I want to encourage you to think about how your life will be like in Heaven and begin to live like that today the best you can. What’s the point in waiting to worship God till you die? If part of the perfection of Heaven is a life set on pleasing our Father, let’s not wait to get in on that sort of life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. 2 Corinthians 5:11a – We know God clearly loves us for His character of love is portrayed so deeply in scripture for all to see. We also though must remember the just character of God and the judgement that comes upon those who refuse His love. This is why we see in our passage Paul saying since we know the fear, the power and glory, of God and we know the wrath that is going to come on those who don’t accept His love, we need to be in the business of persuading and urging others to follow Jesus. If we truly love the people in our life we are going to do everything we can to help them escape the wrath of God. For anyone who doesn’t accept His love and forgiveness brought to them by Jesus will have to pay the punishment of their sin themselves. God doesn’t want that for anyone and you don’t want that for the people you love either. So begin the persuading. You know God loves them but you also know sin has to be paid for. If Jesus isn’t the one settling their debt they’ll have to. Make sure they know clearly Jesus is available to all anytime freely. Don’t let the reason they didn’t come to God be because you forgot to share the direction with them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 723

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 – What does “at home or away” mean? Is it meaning if we are at home or we’re away on vacation/work trip we are to make it our aim to please God? For sure that should still be an aim of ours, but that’s not exactly what the verse is talking about. It’s talking about whether we are at home in the body, still living on earth, or away from the body in Heaven with God. Either way our aim should be to please God. When we are finally away from the body and in Heaven our entirety will be devoted to the worship and praise of God. Our heavenly lives will be all about pleasing Him. This passage is reminding us that our earthly lives should mirror the worship and praise that our heavenly lives will be giving one day. Whether we’re walking on earth or walking in Heaven our aim is to please God with all we have. What then is something you know will please your Heavenly Father today? Let’s together make today a pleasing view in our Heavenly Father’s eyes. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2065