Life Swallowed
(11-7-04)
2Cor.5:1-11
2Cor.5:5 Now it is God
who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
For what purpose is that Paul?
Paul tells us in verse 5 that God made us for this purpose and seals that with a guarantee.
Incredible! But what is that purpose? Another version reads – “Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God,..” Later in verse 7 Paul says “we live by faith, not by sight.” This is important
for us to grasp and not let o of, God has done it. God has done this thing which we are now talking about. (The NIV text by using the word purpose might lead us to think there is something yet
to be accomplished when in fact it is already been done by God)
Lets work backwards
from today’s reading in search of understanding. – 5:-1-4 Paul explains What is known – “Now we know
that…” if we are destroyed in the flesh we are not gone because we have an eternal body that is not destroyed.
Notice that Paul is not starting a new thought in verse 1, he is actually concluding an argument.
Paul starts this argument
or deference, (an apology) much earlier and works hard to drive home an absolute, that point is: they are not what they were
before God wrought in them, and He wrought in them because of their acceptance
of the message of truth and hope that was preached to them by himself, Silas and Timothy. (1:18-22)
Paul is working to
restore their attitudes which had suffered some harm because of what was going on in their lives and his having addressed
those issues in a previous letter. In that letter he called them to deal with a sin issue in their own midst. They did as
he directed and in doing so created some strife. That strife was further stressed by Paul not returning to visit them as he
had said he planned on doing.
Although some of this
seams to be side issues it is all related to the big picture – what they are become in Christ. Paul had called for the
Church to discipline a sinful member, now he explains to them that they need to restore that person. Why? Because of the big
picture – what God has wrought in them. The proof is spoken by Paul in 3:1-6 The evidence of God having wrought is present
in them, and is evident.
What Paul is arguing
to prove is that the ministry of the message preached brings about a godly change in the recipient and not just a superficial,
social event. They, by believing the message preached did not just enter some worldly, earthly, sorority club; no they have
been transformed by the very hand of the Almighty. The ministry of the gospel that they preached brings transformation of
not just a life lived but the very core of the being is changed. That change is being made alive by the Spirit of God.
Paul makes comparison
between the ministry of the old covenant message and that of the new. (3:7-11) The glory of the new not only is greater but
lasting. Not only is the new ministry more glorious and longer lasting (permanent)
but internally transforming. (3:12-18) The truth of the gospel is the light that
removes darkness. (4:3-6) It is clear from Paul’s words being resurrected is the core issue of our believing. (4:13-15)
The reality that we
rest our hope and trust in is the fact that God has done this in all who believe – therefore…
