#2Corinthians5 #2Corinthians6 - Father Fix-It

Click here to read 2 Corinthians 5-6:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

We all know at least one guy who can confidently wear and live up to a "Mr. Fix-it" sweatshirt. Almost regardless of the type of thing that's broken, they can restore it back to near perfection. I am NOT one of those guys. If I need more than a Leatherman I struggle. The big churchy word in these chapters is "reconciliation". 6 SYLLABLES! But really reconciliation here is simply about fixing broken relationships. When two people have a fallout, their coming back together is called being reconciled. In 2 Corinthians 5 especially, we see that we all need to be reconciled with God because our relationship has been broken by sin. The good news of the gospel however, is that in Jesus Christ our sins can be forgiven so that our relationship with God can be fixed. In fact, this chapter goes so far as to say that the ultimate purpose of the church is to be messengers and ministers of this message of reconciliation with God through Jesus. It's a big deal. So the title of this blog is not about some handyman priest. Rather it is about our heavenly Father who has made it part of his eternal mission to fix broken relationships. He deserves the ultimate Father Fix-It mug...or something like that. (After all we know that He-brews) :)

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

This whole concept of being reconciled to God, our Heavenly Father, makes me think immediately of the Prodigal Son or Lost Son story told in Luke 15. It's a great picture of a son who walked away from his father, disowning him really. After losing everything he realizes that he was better off with his father and hopes his dad will hire him back as a servant. The father, however, has no intention of doing that. Without hesitating for one second he immediately restores to his son all the love and rights of being a son and celebrates his return. This part of the story really captures God's forgiveness.

3. What does this mean for my life?

We do have a charge in this passage. We are all called to be Christ's ambassadors, "as though God were making his appeal through us." I had to step back and think, what do people think about God's invitation through me? Am I sharing those words at all with people around me? Is my life reflecting the character of God so that people want to be reconciled with him? Am I modeling reconciliation in my own relationships to be obedient to God and to be a good witness for him? Those questions gave me a little pause this morning.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Paul makes a pretty strong statement. He says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers." I know the yoke is referring to the tool that links oxen or cattle or horses together so they can pull the wagon or plow at the same speed. But is Paul saying, "Don't marry someone who is an unbeliever?" Or is he saying, "Don't go into business with an unbeliever?" Or is he saying don't be friends with an unbeliever?" Maybe there will be a gray blurry line here no matter what, but a little clarification might help.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.giftsforyounow.com/images/products/fathersday/Mr-Fix-It-Tools-Coffee-Mug_28900m.jpg

#Romans5 - Peace The World Desperately Needs

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

As I read the first verse of chapter 5, I could not help but be swept away by the word "peace." Maybe it's because of the unrest (a gross understatement) in the Middle East. Maybe it's because of terrorism. Maybe it's because I just watched "Mockingjay Part 1," following the other Hunger Games movies, where PEACE is arguably the most desired and unattainable goal for Catniss. Since the creation of the world, people have been at war with God. Deep down, we want to be the "captain of our own soul, master of our own fate" to reference William Ernest Henley. Because of our inherited sinful condition we are enemies of God, not because God is at war with us but because we are stubborn children wanting independence from the rules of a "strict" but loving father.

Personally, I can't think of any greater thing than finding peace with God. The creator of the universe, the perfect and righteous judge, the loving and merciful father, the groom who pursues his cherished bride daily is calling out to us for peace. He invites us to come as we are, to put our faith in Jesus Christ, be washed of our sins, and let his love CHANGE us, TRANSFORM us, and SHAPE us into people who reflect Him more and more everyday. A cheesy Christian bumper sticker says, "No Jesus, No Peace - Know Jesus, Know Peace. I'm neither a fan of cute Christianese sayings nor bumper stickers in general, but this one has it right.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

Philippians is another letter written by the Apostle Paul. Not surprisingly, there are some striking similarities in content. So Philippians 4 is one of the most quoted verses about peace, and in light of what we read here in Romans 5 it has a little more meaning. Philippians 4:6-7 say, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Another great verse that describes how Christ brings was actually written about him 700 years before Jesus was even born. Isaiah 53:5-6 says, "the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each us has turned to our own way..." Doesn't that sound like Romans 5? "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Wow!

3. So what does this mean for my life?

I am almost hesitant to write about suffering for Christ, because compared to so many of my Christian brothers and sisters around the world I know NOTHING of suffering. Many face mocking, harassment, being cut off from friends and family, being killed, or worse - being kept alive and tortured because they refuse to renounce their faith in Christ. There are many organizations seeking to make their stories known. One I personally have come to love and respect is Voice of the Martyrs (click here to visit their website). Our prayer tends to be for peace and an end to violence, while many of them ask us to pray instead that their enemies would find peace with God! I am convicted by them to not only offer myself for the sake of Christ, but to expect and endure and glory in suffering for Jesus's sake.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Some of Paul's wording gets a little confusing. I'm sure it was standard arguments in his time, but in our time it almost seems backward (not in the end result, just in the way it is presented). V.6-7 is one place, and some of the language in verses 12-21 make it hard to tell if Paul is comparing or contrasting Adam and Jesus. It's very possible he is doing both. Though the concepts seem pretty clear, the language gets a little tricky. That's not a real question, but it was confusing for me upon first reading it.

Funny how my longest post yet also happens to be the latest post, leaking into the "next day." Anyway, lots of good stuff.

In Christ,
Dan