2 CORINTHIANS 5 - SAVED PEOPLE ARE SENT PEOPLE

 

2 Corinthians 5 centers on hope beyond this life, living by faith, reconciliation through Christ, and our identity as new creations and ambassadors of God. Paul lifts our eyes from earthly struggles to eternal purpose.

 

1.      1.  ETERNITY MINDSET (vv. 1–10)

Paul contrasts our earthly body (tent) with the eternal dwelling God has prepared for us.

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God…” (v.1)

• Our present life is temporary, like a tent.
• Our future with God is secure and eternal.
• We walk by faith, not by sight (v.7).
• Every believer will appear before the judgment seat of Christ (v.10), not for condemnation, but for accountability.

Suffering is real, but it is not final. Eternity gives meaning to endurance.

2. CHRIST CENTERED LIFE  (vv. 11–15)

Paul explains that the love of Christ compels us.

“For the love of Christ compels us…” (v.14)

• Christ died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves.
• The motivation for Christian living is not fear, but love.

When we understand Christ’s love, our lives are no longer self-centered but Christ-centered.

3. LIVING A NEW LIFE WITH CHRIST (vv. 16–17)

Paul declares a powerful truth:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (v.17)

• Salvation is transformation, not just forgiveness.
• Our past does not define us — Christ does.

God does not repair the old life; He gives a new one.

4. OUR MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (vv. 18–21)

God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and now entrusts us with the message of reconciliation.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…” (v.20)

• Jesus took our sin so we could receive His righteousness (v.21).
• Believers are now representatives of heaven on earth.

Saved people are sent people. Grace received becomes grace shared.

Let us pray:

Lord, thank You for the eternal hope You have given me in Christ.
Help me walk by faith and not by sight.
Teach me to live no longer for myself, but for Him who died and rose again for me.
Remind me daily that I am a new creation, and use my life as a message of reconciliation to others.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.