2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Today's Passage: 2 Cor 5:11–21
https://youtu.be/W9vj2Wf57rQ?si=xkBbCIQ7fIgqeH18
“There will be generations because of what you did.”
“I didn’t do enough.”
This scene from Schindler’s List is an incredible and important reminder. It not only reminds us of the tragedy of the Holocaust and the human capacity for evil. But, it also shows the change in perspective by Oskar Schindler. The movie began with Schindler as a war profiteer—benefitting from Jewish persecution. Then, by the end, he counts everything in his possession in terms of people who could have been saved.
Yesterday, we read of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Like a graduation ceremony, this is not a thing for Christians to fear. However, every commencement brings with it a tinge of grief knowing that more could have been done in the time you had—relationally, academically, etc.
It is important to note that the words “good” and “evil” in verse 10 may be better understood as “worthy” and “worthless.” Although wickedness will hinder reward, so too will valuelessness (cf. 1 Cor 3:11–15). Going back to the video, Schindler was ashamed of both. Standing before the Judgement Seat of Christ, so too will we.
All of this helps us understand the word “Therefore,” in verse 11, “knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.” Paul felt the holy urgency to take the Gospel to the lost and dying. For this, he faced criticism. Here, as on other occasions, he defended his ministry and apostleship concluding that what other people think doesn’t matter as long as a person has a pure heart and a clean conscience before Christ.
Verses 16–21 is the perspective we see Oskar Schindler receive in the scene above. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation… All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us… [ending with probably the greatest confession of the Church] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
I have often said that you should not be the only beneficiary of your salvation. Indeed, there is nothing God does in you or teaches you that should stop with you. The indwelling Holy Spirit gives us gifts and power to build up the Body of Christ—to make our efforts both valuable and eternal.
Paul’s perspective of ambassadorship is one that we must hold. This world is not our home. One of the best personal examples of this for me was a friend I made while studying in seminary. In the heat of Dallas summers, they didn’t use air conditioning in their apartment (or used it only minimally). He and his wife were from India, and they planned to return to India. He said that he didn’t want to get too comfortable in the US because they were going home, so they avoided some of the “luxuries” they didn’t have back in India.
In what ways are you distracted by the “luxuries” of this world? Considering what Christ has done, how are you using that gift to bless others? On the day that you stand before Christ, is there anything in your life right now that you will wish had been different?
Written By: Tyler Short
https://youtu.be/W9vj2Wf57rQ?si=xkBbCIQ7fIgqeH18
“There will be generations because of what you did.”
“I didn’t do enough.”
This scene from Schindler’s List is an incredible and important reminder. It not only reminds us of the tragedy of the Holocaust and the human capacity for evil. But, it also shows the change in perspective by Oskar Schindler. The movie began with Schindler as a war profiteer—benefitting from Jewish persecution. Then, by the end, he counts everything in his possession in terms of people who could have been saved.
Yesterday, we read of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Like a graduation ceremony, this is not a thing for Christians to fear. However, every commencement brings with it a tinge of grief knowing that more could have been done in the time you had—relationally, academically, etc.
It is important to note that the words “good” and “evil” in verse 10 may be better understood as “worthy” and “worthless.” Although wickedness will hinder reward, so too will valuelessness (cf. 1 Cor 3:11–15). Going back to the video, Schindler was ashamed of both. Standing before the Judgement Seat of Christ, so too will we.
All of this helps us understand the word “Therefore,” in verse 11, “knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.” Paul felt the holy urgency to take the Gospel to the lost and dying. For this, he faced criticism. Here, as on other occasions, he defended his ministry and apostleship concluding that what other people think doesn’t matter as long as a person has a pure heart and a clean conscience before Christ.
Verses 16–21 is the perspective we see Oskar Schindler receive in the scene above. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation… All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us… [ending with probably the greatest confession of the Church] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
I have often said that you should not be the only beneficiary of your salvation. Indeed, there is nothing God does in you or teaches you that should stop with you. The indwelling Holy Spirit gives us gifts and power to build up the Body of Christ—to make our efforts both valuable and eternal.
Paul’s perspective of ambassadorship is one that we must hold. This world is not our home. One of the best personal examples of this for me was a friend I made while studying in seminary. In the heat of Dallas summers, they didn’t use air conditioning in their apartment (or used it only minimally). He and his wife were from India, and they planned to return to India. He said that he didn’t want to get too comfortable in the US because they were going home, so they avoided some of the “luxuries” they didn’t have back in India.
In what ways are you distracted by the “luxuries” of this world? Considering what Christ has done, how are you using that gift to bless others? On the day that you stand before Christ, is there anything in your life right now that you will wish had been different?
Written By: Tyler Short
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