A new year begins with a new life! – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

A new year begins with a new life! – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
By Pastor Lee Hemen
December 31, 2017

Someone once joked that “Every time I find the meaning of life, they change it!” What motivates you in life? This is a good question to ask oneself when facing a new year because it helps us to perhaps rethink what our lives are about, where we are headed, or what we think of as important. For some it is financial gain, for others it is greater education, and still there are those who think that finding themselves is the most important thing in life. But what if none of these were as important as knowing the truth; the truth concerning yourself, the world, history, and what the meaning of life is truly about. Perhaps in this New Year your life needs to begin again.

There’s the old joke about a man who wanted to know the meaning of life so he journeys to India, climbs a high mountain, and meets with a guru sitting outside of his hut. He asks him, “What is the meaning of life?” The guru responds, “Mushrooms.” The man spends the next 20 years eating mushrooms, growing mushrooms, and even talking to mushrooms but he finds nothing. He goes back to India, climbs the same mountain and tells the same guru, “The meaning of life is NOT mushrooms!” The guru intently looks at the man and responds, “Well, then it must be turnips!” Paul knew that if you want meaning in life you had to have a new life and he teaches about what that means here in these verses. Let’s discover how a New Year begins with a new life…

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

This has been called the “me generation” but one writer states that it more accurately should be called the “Me, me, me generation”. The gospel message that Paul proclaimed is the antithesis of this selfishness and we learn that…

I. A new life begins when we no longer live for ourselves! (Vv. 14-16)

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

1. Paul was a motivated man. He had lived his life motivated but he had not always lived his life for his Messiah. Something had happened to Paul that changed his life forever and made it brand new and now the life he led obligated him to tell others about the change that had occurred. There were those who thought that Paul was out of his mind, but if he was it was for a reason: He had lost everything for the sake of God (Philippians 5:14-15) and if he was in his right mind it was for them (v. 13) and so he tells his readers that “Christ’s love compels us”! Why does this truth compel Paul to share Jesus? It was God’s desire “who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”! (1 Timothy 2:4 NIV) Paul now knew that it was Jesus “who gave himself as a ransom for all men”. (1 Timothy 2:6 NIV) He therefore continues by telling them that it is “because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” We either die in our sin or we die to ourselves “And he (Jesus) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” We are not our own, we were bought at a price and so we are to honor God with all that we are! (1 Corinthians 6:18b-19) So Paul bluntly writes that “from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.” Paul had been one of them who did not know what life was about and thought of Jesus as just another man but he no longer did and this truth compelled him to tell them the truth! A new life begins when we no longer live for ourselves!

EXAMPLE: Christopher Hitchens, an avowed atheist, thinks “that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid”. However, on the contrary, when we look at the world at large we discover that it is things like socialism, communism, and liberalism that has made more people dependent, angry, and self-centered. And history proves Hitchens wrong. Care for the masses, the elderly, the disenfranchised, and the handicapped all began with Christianity. Why? Simply because of what Christianity is all about: We are called to love God completely and others as ourselves. Paul would write “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV) A new life begins when we no longer live for ourselves!

This is the season of returns. We take back those things that do not fit, we do not need, or that we do not want. Often we do not get back what was originally paid for the present we are returning. For whatever reason it no longer has any redeeming value; therefore isn’t it great to know that…

II. A new life begins when we are reconciled! (Vv. 17-19)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

1. For Paul the truth of his life was self-evident: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” that which mankind has hoped for, longed for, and sometimes even wished for has come true in Jesus Christ! No one was more able to testify to this wondrous transformation than the one who had once persecuted Christians. Paul would dramatically write the Galatians churches, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV) This is why Paul could write that “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”. It wasn’t Paul’s idea; it wasn’t the world’s intent or a governmental decree; and it did not come from a seminar. Christ, his Messiah, gave Paul this ministry. And the reason he did is because “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” This word “reconcile” is a wonderful word. It means that God exchanged himself for us! He willingly paid the penalty for our sins. This is why “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”! (Romans 8:1 NIV) We know that “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20 NIV) In fact “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”. (Colossians 1:21-22 NIV) Paul was “committed to… the message of reconciliation”! A new life begins when we are reconciled!

EXAMPLE: Recently I have been trying to get new life insurance. Believe me when I tell you it is like going through Dante’s levels of hell. People who say they will return your call do not and then there are the people who blandly remind you that it may take several weeks (months) to get a refund when it only took the company nanoseconds to charge your credit card — like I said “Dante’s levels of hell.” Then if you are over the age of 60 you’re toast as far as the insurance industry is concerned. I have therefore decided that I am going to focus on what God has done and will do instead. I have the best life insurer already. Isn’t it great to know that a new life begins when we are reconciled!

Has there ever been a time in your life that you wished you could have a “do over”? Replay a game, re-say some words, or redo a job you messed up. Perhaps there is a relationship you would want to reestablish? Making things right is what Jesus is all about. And Paul reminds us that…

III. A new life begins when we are made right with God! (Vv. 20-21)

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1. Paul’s life had changed. He had a new title and a new job description: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” Paul had experienced a redo in his life! God had given him a new life and a new task. He was now God’s own representative to the message of Jesus! In his life Paul would literally become “an ambassador in chains” for God. He would suffer persecution for his faith and for his tenacity to proclaim the truth of the gospel message. His new life compelled him to do so. And so with a heartfelt plea Paul writes to the Corinthians “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” Just as he had been reconciled and given a new life the Corinthians could experience it for their own selves as well. Nothing they had ever done in life could stand in the way of the cleansing power of Jesus to change them forever! Nothing could because Paul understood and was certain that “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Stop for a moment and let these words sink into your very soul. When we place our faith and trust in Jesus we become the righteousness of God! How is this possible? Hebrews reminds us that Jesus “is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” and it is only Jesus “who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:25-26 NIV) WOW! Paul understood well that a new life begins when we are made right with God!

EXAMPLE: The youngster felt horrible. He had allowed a simple popup fly ball to go over his head and land behind him. It cost his team the game. He sat in the outfield with his head in his hands. Unbeknown to him his entire team quietly came out and sat around him. They placed their hands on him, lightly swatted his head with their hats, and begin to remind him of what a great friend and player he truly was. After all it was only a game and there would be others. In that moment those players showed the rest of us the very nature of God. They made their fellow teammate realize his worth to them. It did not matter that he had blown the play or the game because he was worth so much more than that. Just when we think we have blown it in life Jesus shows us just how much we are worth to him. Isn’t it good to know that a new life begins when we are made right with God!

Conclusion:

A new life begins when we no longer live for ourselves! A new life begins when we are reconciled! A new life begins when we are made right with God!
—
This article is copyrighted © 2017 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.

Living the Gospel – Galatians 3:26-29; 4:8-20

Living the Gospel – Galatians 3:26-29; 4:8-20
By Pastor Lee Hemen
August 4, 2013 AM

As a child and a teen, I was worried about my physical growth. Both my parents were relatively short, especially my mom. I was afraid I would reach her height and no more. Throughout elementary school and middle school, I was one of the smaller boys in class. In high school, I finally experienced a growth spurt. I was elated the day I realized I was taller than my mom was.

In my later years growth remains a concern for me, albeit growth of a different kind. I want to continue to grow as a Christian. Spiritual maturity continues to be a goal toward which I want to move. I want to learn more about the Scriptures and to translate them into my daily living. As we learn more about the Gospel and act on what we learn concerning our relationship with Jesus Christ, our salvation, and in living the gospel, we will grow as Christians. That was Paul’s desire for the Galatian believers as well. In living the Gospel, he desired they continued to mature. Let’s discover what he shared with them…

READ: Galatians 3:26-29; 4:8-20

Do all Christian adults need to learn more about the gospel and grow as believers? Yes. Do all adult believers recognize they need to learn more about the gospel? No. Some Christians, believe they have learned all they can. They no longer participate in regular Bible study. Paul emphasized that believers are God’s children by faith. In living the Gospel, God wants us to continually mature as Christians. He reminds us that we are not on our own…

I. We now belong to Jesus! (Vv. 3:26-29)

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29 NIV)

1. Paul had declared that the Galatian believers no longer “were held prisoners” under the law. The Commandments were still valid as guidelines for living, but they no longer could condemn or bind believers. Instead, “through faith in Christ Jesus” they were “baptized into Christ’! In Christ, God took the initiative so believers could come into His family. Believers “are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” All Jews and Gentiles enter God’s family the same way: by faith in Christ. Paul knew genuine believers have been baptized into Christ. Baptism is the open expression of a person’s trust in and commitment to Christ—a public witness of our salvation. Immersion in water pictures the believer’s death to the old self, which was dominated by sin, and the believer’s resurrection to new life in Christ. It is a visible expression of one’s personal relationship with Christ. We are no longer our own we have “clothed” ourselves “with Christ!” Pious Jewish men thanked God daily that they were not Gentiles, slaves, or women. Likewise, Gentile men thanked their gods for not making them animals, barbarians, slaves, or women. However, Paul emphasized that a redemptive relationship with Christ is open to people regardless of gender, nationality, or social status. Paul understood that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We are not our own, we now belong to Jesus!

EXAMPLE: Paul’s point was that all believers have equal standing before Christ. Racial or national distinctions, class differences, and gender are unimportant. In Christ, believers are to treat one another equally as brothers and sisters; grace has replaced distinctions distorted by evil. When people are in Christ, they have a spiritual unity that removes barriers to fellowship. Christians are the new humanity in which our differences no longer matter. In fact, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Whatever our race, socioeconomic status, or gender, we are not our own, we now belong to Jesus!

Paul stressed that God sent His Son to redeem people who were under the law. God has adopted believers as His children and given them the Holy Spirit. They are not slaves but God’s heirs. Paul warned believers about turning back to manmade laws for salvation. He reminded them of their former way of life, of the change they had experienced in salvation, and of their initial response to him and the gospel. In living the Gospel, Paul reminds us that…

II. We have changed, since we have been redeemed! (Vv. 4:8-14)

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God–or rather are known by God–how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. (Galatians 4:8-14 NIV)

1. Paul had referred to Jews’ and Gentiles’ as being enslaved “under the basic principles of the world.” He was referring to the rudimentary elements of religion, the heavenly bodies, and spirit powers people associated with them. Because of God’s grace, the Galatian believers were adopted into God’s family. They had received the Spirit of His Son; they were no longer slaves but were children and heirs! “Formerly” they had been pagans, they had worshiped other gods; they had been “slaves to those who by nature are not gods”! They had no perception of the one true God—they were ignorant of His existence. “But now that you know God,” Paul asks, how could you turn “back to those weak and miserable principles?” Did they “wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” How could they exchange freedom in Christ for the slavery of legalism? The Greek word for “know” means, “know by personal experience.” Through faith in Christ, the Galatians were intimately related to God. Paul was dismayed that they would forsake a close fellowship of grace to pursue ungodly behavior! Yet, even today, many believers do just that! Paul equated returning to old habits to paganism! They were “known by God”, which stresses God’s initiative. Believers do not discover God; He reaches out to them to draw them to His grace. Paul emphasized the danger these Christians faced. They were on the verge of making a tragic mistake. Would they exchange their freedom of grace for sinful enslavement? These Christians had begun to celebrate special events of the Jewish religious calendar. Paul retorts, “I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.” Paul pleaded with the Galatians to “become like” him. Paul had “become like” them in order to win them to Jesus. In fact, he first came to them because of his ill health. He reminded them, “Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.” Christians need to remind themselves of their former way of life, but since we have been redeemed, we are changed!

EXAMPLE: We can forget that we are accountable to more than just we are — all believers have this much in common: Through God’s grace, we have a relationship with Him, forgiveness of our sins, and eternal life. It is a sacred thing. The Lord, our church family, and those who have mentored us – we are responsible to as well! Because of all we have experienced in being redeemed, we have every reason to grow as Christians. If we forget what we were redeemed from, we may hold in contempt what we have been redeemed to become! We are to live and mature in Jesus!

Paul was disturbed that the Galatian believers would let someone lead them astray. He expressed his concern that they develop as Christians to the point of fully reflecting Christ’s image. In living the Gospel, Paul believed all Christians needed to…

III. Mature in their faith! (Vv. 4:15-20)

What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! (Galatians 4:15-20 NIV)

1. When believers forget the grace of God in their lives, they often lose their joy of salvation. This is why Paul asked, “What has happened to all your joy?” He could “testify” about their former attitude toward Paul. In fact, he reminds them, “if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me!” WOW! The idea is that out of love and gratitude they would have given him something of great value—their sight! Did they now regard him as their “enemy”? One view is that under the Judaizers’ influence, believers indeed considered Paul their enemy. Another view is that Paul exaggerated their stance toward him for effect. Either way, a breach had opened up between Paul and them. Some folks, who are caught in their sin, often accuse those who point out the truth as now being their “enemy” or “judging them”. Sin is always deceptive and blinds folks who are caught up in it. Those who would have encouraged the Galatians in their sinful condition were “zealous” to win them over to their deceitful lifestyle. Peter would relate that these folks, “mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity–for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” (2 Peter 2:18-19 NIV) The Greek term for zealous means “make a show of affection and devotion towards” those they were enticing into their sin. Proverbs reminds us that we are not to “envy wicked men” nor “desire their company.” (Proverbs 24:1) The Judaizers, like all sinful folks, wanted “to alienate” the Galatian Christians from godly believers like Paul. They wanted to drive a wedge between them and Paul. He reminded them, “It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.” Paul viewed those he had ministered to as if they were his own children. He was “perplexed” and concerned for them. Almost audible in his closing words is Paul’s sigh of sadness and perplexity. He wanted Christ to be fully “formed” in them. He desired they mature in their faith!

EXAMPLE: In our world, we have created spiritual hermits. We think all we need is to worship when we feel the need. Yet the Bible warns of the dangers. Only by continuing to mature as Christians can we progressively become more like Jesus. We need to stay away from those who would drag us back into sin or keep us from living our lives for the Lord. Also, we need to realize that we never outgrow our need to continue to mature spiritually. Taking part in consistent Bible study, fellowshipping with fellow church members regularly and holding each other accountable is essential for our spiritual growth. The goal is for Christ to be formed within us—for us to take on His character and to live as He would. This goal is a great challenge and a great privilege. We are to mature in our faith!

Conclusion:
1. Whatever our race, socioeconomic status, or gender, we now belong to Jesus!
2. Christians need to remind themselves of their former way of life, but since we have been redeemed, we are changed!
3. Only by continuing to mature as Christians can we become more and more like Jesus.
—
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 27 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2013 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.