Scripture
By Deborah Hillman
Scripture Lesson Text
2 Corinthians 5: 11-21
Related Scriptures: Roman’s 10: 5-15; 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9; Ephesians 2: 11-22
In this week’s lesson we read that Paul, being one of the Apostles, was also commissioned as an ambassador for Christ, to bring the good news of the gospel to a fallen sinful world, which is a responsibility we are to own. God reconciled the world back to Himself by Jesus’ death on the cross which broke the bondage of sin from us, because of His love.
Romans 10: 5-15 tells us that if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus , and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead we will be saved. These passages explore how Israel’s people have rejected God by refusing to trust in Christ. 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9 reminds us that we may plant and water the seed but God provides the increase. Paul’s intention in this chapter is to address the spiritual immaturity of the Corinthian church.
Ephesians 2: 11-22 shows us that by Jesus’ death on the cross we are reconciled back to God not because of ourselves but by the shed blood of Jesus. We are made righteous through His blood and our belief, faith and trust in God’s promises. The physical condition of circumcision was something people could do, but it was only a symbol. The spiritual ‘true‘ circumcision was something only God could change.
Synopsis
By Raufu Spagnoletta
In this week’s lesson, Paul shows us what it means to be ambassadors for Christ and stewards of the gospel. Reverential fear of the LORD, and respect for the gospel is how Paul persuaded men to be reconciled to God. The Apostle Paul committed himself to embodying and sharing the gospel. Paul wanted the Corinthians to know, accept, and live by the true gospel of Jesus Christ and not be swayed by outward appearances.
With all the strife that existed between Paul and some of the Corinthians, it was the love of Christ that constrained Paul to persevere in these relationships. To be constrained means to be inwardly compelled to press on in the face of adversity. “Christ died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.” In view of this knowledge, Paul no longer saw people after the flesh but through the loving eyes of Jesus, he saw human souls in need of redemption.
“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). God hath reconciled us to Himself through Christ. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation and the title of ambassadors for Christ. In this great exchange, God made Christ who knew no sin to be sin for us, that in Him we would become the righteousness of God.
Practical Application
By Charlene Armstrong
The scripture lesson text begins by reminding us of the fear of the Lord. This isn’t talking about being afraid of God, but it reminds us to live in such a way that our lives honor the Lord and glorify our KIng. The Apostle Paul’s reverence for God was his motivation to live a life of worship towards God. We should model after Paul and live a life of total surrender and submission. We must will to do the will of our Father who sent His son to redeem us back to Him.
When looking at the title of this week’s lesson, Ambassadors for Christ, the word ambassador carries with it a characteristic of nobility. It is a title often given to those of whom are representatives of a government or kingdom. You and I are adorned as ambassadors of God’s kingdom, therefore we are responsible to represent God in all that we do, all that we say and all that we think. We are to speak wholly for God, for we are to be representatives of His sovereignty.
As ambassadors for Christ we are in the ministry of reconciliation, it is our responsibility to witness to sinners like ourselves and let them know that they too can be reconciled back to God.(v.18). God has given us a command in Mark 16:15 to go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone. It is our assignment to preach the word of reconciliation for we are changed by the gospel and the gospel will change the world.
