June 20, 2018 Wednesday

“11  Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. 12 ¶  For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13  For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.” (2Corinthians 5:11-13 NKJV)

            In a world that sees Jesus as kind and nice and not judging of anyone it is easy for Christians to fall into the same trap. The Church in Corinth was not so much struggling with sin as giving into it. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the terror of the Lord and that God will judge and hold us accountable for our sin.

            It is interesting that in the Gospels Jesus is revealed as being kind to the outsiders, those lost in sin, and those who are fearful of God. But Jesus acts very differently to those who are religious. His messages to the Pharisees the Sadducees and the scribes are hard and we could say incredibly judgmental.

            Paul reminds us as Christians while it is important for us to know God it is also important to be known to God. This requires us to develop a relationship with God and to spend time getting to know God by prayer and reading the Bible.

            Just as we are to be well known to God we are also to be well known by how we live before others. It is not for us to boast or to declare our abilities but it is those who see our lives and are touched by our lives who should boast of us.

            Then Paul makes another comparison which says if we are beside ourselves, if we seem unusual and stand out to the world we do that for God. But to those who are part of the church we have a sound mind for those whose lives we are to touch. By living this way we please and glorify God and are able to help others discover and live a deeper relationship with God.

            Do you have a growing relationship with God? Do you reach out and share God’s grace with those who are lost and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ to a deeper life in Jesus? Do you live in such a way others will speak highly about how you live for God?