R³ Devotional - Day 339

The chapter transitions beautifully from the temporary nature of our current, earthly life to the certainty and glory of our eternal dwelling with God. Paul uses the metaphor of a tent (our mortal body) that will be exchanged for a building from God (our resurrection body). This profound hope leads to an intense desire: to be pleasing to the Lord, whether we are present with Him or still here on earth. The central motivation for this life is brought into sharp focus by the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10), where believers' actions will be evaluated.

This anticipation compels Paul (and should compel us) to view life from a radically different perspective. The old way of seeing things is gone; we are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). This new identity carries with it a new calling: the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). We are God's ambassadors, begging others to be reconciled to God, all because God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21).

Real Life Principle

The core principle of 2 Corinthians 5 is: Because our earthly life is temporary and our future with Christ is certain, our primary focus and calling is to live as a "new creation," carrying out the ministry of reconciliation.

Relevant Life Application

Here are three practical applications of the chapter's principle:

1. Living by Faith, Not by Sight (Verses 6–8)
 Our ultimate confidence is in what is unseen and eternal—being with the Lord. This should temper our fear of death and reorient our daily struggles.
 When faced with a difficult situation (loss, fear, uncertainty), consciously shift your focus from the visible problem to the invisible truth of your eternal security in Christ.

2. Being an Ambassador for Christ (Verses 18–20)
Every believer is commissioned as an ambassador—a representative of a foreign sovereign (God) to a foreign land (the world). Our message is the reconciliation available through Christ.

  Identify three people in your life who need to hear the message of reconciliation. Pray for an opportunity this week to speak a word of grace, forgiveness, or hope to them, clearly and lovingly representing God's appeal.

3. Understanding the Great Exchange (Verse 21)
This verse describes the Gospel in its most profound terms: God traded Christ’s righteousness for our sin. This truth should be the foundation of our confidence, not our personal performance.

 Take time to meditate on the fact that you are the righteousness of God in Christ. Let this truth dismantle any feelings of shame or worthlessness based on past mistakes and empower you to live a life worthy of your new identity.

Ready Action Steps

• Examine Your Motivation (Verse 9): Ask yourself, "What am I working hardest to achieve right now?" If the answer is anything other than "to be pleasing to the Lord," make a conscious effort to realign your priorities this week.

•  Conduct an "Old vs. New" Review (Verse 17): Write down five ways you used to think, speak, or act before you fully embraced your life in Christ. Next to each, write five corresponding ways you should think, speak, or act now as a new creation.

•  Start a "Reconciliation Journal" (Verse 20): Begin a list of people you know who are not reconciled to God. Commit to praying for one person on this list each day, asking God to use you or someone else to deliver the message of reconciliation.