2 Corinthians 5:10-21 (ESV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and 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. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Questions for Reflection
1. When have you seen someone change in a significant way?
2. What about you is most difficult for your acquaintances to understand or accept?
3. What motivated Paul? (5:14)
4. *Why did Christ die for everyone? (5:15)
5. How did Paul change the way he looked at people? (5:16)
6. What is true about every person in Christ? (5:17)
7. What happened when God sent His Son to earth? (5:18)
8. What does God do with our sins when we are reconciled to Him? (5:19)
9. *How is a Christian an ambassador? (5:20)
10. How is it possible for us to be motivated both by the fear of the Lord and Christ’s love?
11. Why was it necessary for Christ to die in order for us to be reconciled to God?
12. What difference does it make that Christians are counted as Christ’s ambassadors?
13. *Where is your ministry of reconciliation?
14. To whom are you an ambassador?
