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The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Chapter 5
Judging by Appearance Adventure
Christian Judgment & Biblical Judgment Bible Verses Facts
Glad to have you back again at Daily Bread to study the Word
together. As we left off in our last study, Paul was talking about
things that are temporal vs. things that are eternal, saying that the
trials we face now will end, but we look forward to things that are
forever.
- Temporal vs. Eternal
- Visible vs. Invisible
- Mortal vs. Immortal
- Corrupt vs. Incorruptible
- Fleshly vs. Spiritual
The body is all those things on the left hand side in the comparisons
above. Now, here we are on this earth, and we have our mind, our body
and our spirit, and our mind and spirit are "housed" or clothed
within our bodies.
Jesus said:
John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth [gives life], the flesh profiteth nothing.
Judging by Appearance Lesson
Christian Judgment & Biblical Judgment Bible Verses Truth
There are a few lessons to learn from what Paul is about to explain
to us. One, is to know that your body, in the spiritual sense, is the
Temple
of the Holy Spirit. In the fleshly sense, it is nothing. Take
care of it for God, not because you want to look good for mankind.
Another lesson is, don't judge by appearances, because appearance is
of the flesh. And yet another message, don't let fleshly things
control you or influence you, because when you are acting in the
flesh, or acting for the flesh, you're absent from the presence of
the Lord. Paul explains these things about our "earthen vessels" that
we occupy.
2 Corninthians 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle [our body]
were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens.
In other words, if this short lived body that we reside in now were
dead, we have a permanent home in heaven.
2 Corninthians 5:2-3
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed
upon with our house which is from Heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
So, our bodies encapsulate our spirit. One might say that the flesh
keeps our spirit anchored to the earth along with gravity. We groan,
Paul says. Our spirit yearns to be free from this carnal, mortal,
decay-able, heavy, vulnerable blob so that we can be clothed with our
heavenly clothing which will never leave us unprotected.
Judging by Appearance Warning
Christian Judgment & Biblical Judgment Bible Verses Vow
So to say the exact same thing yet another way, we grieve, dragging
around these heavy, cumbersome bodies that our spirits are trapped
within while on this earth, ever longing for our permanent home,
which God has prepared for us, so that the parts of us which die, can
be devoured by ... Life!
We've been taught by the media, movies, books, etc., that the bad
usually overcomes the good, but Paul paints a wonderful picture for
us of everlasting life swallowing up all the undesirable things. A
refreshing switch from the expected in the form of hope from Paul ...
Always encouraging.
Humanly speaking, Paul explains that as long as we're in our
mortal bodies, we will not be in the presence of the Lord, because He
is spiritual, so we put off our bodies, in other words, we try and
look at things spiritually whenever possible, in order to be present
with Him.
Judging By Appearance Danger
Christian Judgment & Biblical Judgment Bible Verses Hope
Here's a little Daily Bread Crumb to go along with what you just
read. The Buddhists and the Hindus have a word for this, which is
"karma." Our recent generations describe it with the phrase "what
goes around, comes around." Paul just straight up tells the Truth
about it though, here and in Galatians
6:7, where he says, Whatever you sow, you will also reap. It's
judgment, friends, plain and simple.
Here's a couple of things to ponder on while you think about this,
and I never grow tired of mentioning this, Your sin will never
outweigh God's Grace.
Now, here's a question. Do we sometimes pay our debts for bad deeds
during this life, before judgment day? We know that charity removes a
multitude of sins, 1
Peter 4:8 so are there other things that we go through that also
erase bad deeds? Not punishments from God, but maybe unfortunate
happenings that are beyond our control. What if you become the victim
of something that had nothing to do with your own choices, does that
count? What about sacrifice? What about suffering? Fasting? Prayer?
Generosity? All these things are interesting things to think about.
One thing is for certain. Repentance brings forgiveness, so don't
rely on misfortune to clean up your score card with God. Rely on His
mercy and your Faith in Christ. The other things are works that do
build good character, if you don't do them out of obligation, but out
of love.
Judging by Appearance Concerns
Christian Judgment & Biblical Judgment Bible Verses Fear
As we return to Paul's letter, remember that Paul is still discussing
the accusations of people against him and Timothy, though he throws
in some spiritual messages here and there.
2 Corinthians 5:11-12
11 Knowing therefore the terror [fear] of the Lord, we
persuade [convince] men [of our worthiness]; but we are made manifest
[evident] unto God; and I trust also are made manifest [obvious] in
your consciences [too].
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you [we're not
bragging], but give you occasion to glory on our behalf [we want you
to be proud of us], that ye may have somewhat to answer them which
glory in appearance, and not in heart [when you encounter those who
more concerned with appearance than Truth].
Well, from that last statement, now we can deduce that someone has
criticized the appearance of Paul's Ministry or perhaps even Paul's
physical appearance. Don't forget what God told Samuel in 1
Samuel 16:7, The Lord sees not as man sees, for man looks on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. This all fits in
real well with Paul's message about the flesh, too, doesn't it?
Judging by Appearance Discussion
Christian Judgment & Biblical Judgment Bible Verses Woe
Next Paul says in so many words, Now, if we're crazy, that is between
us and God, but if we are sane, it is for your good. Because the love
of Christ rules us. We see it like this, that if Christ died for all,
then everyone was dead, and because He died for all, those who live,
from now on, shouldn't live for themselves, but for Him who died for
them, and rose again. So, from now on, we don't know any man in a
human sense anymore, yes, though we have known Christ as a human
being, but now we no longer know Him in that way. So if any man is of
Christ, he is a new creature, the past is forgotten and all things
have become new.
That was a great definition that Paul just explained of being "born
again" or "reborn."
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled [made
peace with] us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation [peace];
19 To wit [that is to say], that God was in Christ,
reconciling [making peace with] the world unto [for] Himself, not
imputing [counting] their trespasses unto [against] them; and hath
committed unto us the word of reconciliation [peace].
20 Now then we are ambassadors [representatives] for
Christ, as though God did beseech [ask] you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead [behalf], be ye reconciled to [restored to harmony
with] God.
21 For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Judging by Appearance Conclusion
Christian Judgment - Biblical Judgment Bible Verses
To understand this last verse better, I encourage you to read Isaiah,
Chapter 53, especially Verses 6, 9 and 11. Our merciful Father,
provided a scapegoat for us ... His most cherished thing in the
universe ... His Son.
There were lots of great and important messages in this short
chapter. This is one of those that if you read it again, you're sure
to find something you missed the first time around, and if you read
it a third time, you'll probably find even more!
More great study ahead as we continue through this second letter from
Paul to the Corinthians, right here at Daily Bread, so hurry back!
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