May 21. 2 Corinthians 5. Bill McDowell
Resilient in our Mission
Our theme for this year at Hampton Roads Church is Resilient. Webster defines it as tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Paul exemplified resilience in his ministry and life as an Apostle of Jesus.
Imprisoned, flogged , left for dead, beaten with rods, stoned, gone without food, shipwrecked, criticized, belittled, mocked, and yet he still pursued his ministry and serving God’s people.
In chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians we see what his motivation was and what kept him persevering in spite of the trials and hardships he suffered as an apostle. Paul was compelled (urged, controlled ) by Christ’s love in him (v. 14).
What compels you in your daily life? So often I am motivated by my work schedule, money issues, my spouse, career, hobby, relationships. I easily tend to focus on the “urgent” need that is presented each day and not the most important, my relationship with God. I need to remember that what I do today will echo through eternity!
Paul was focused and determined to share the message of reconciliation to the disciples in the church and to those who had not heard the gospel of Christ.
God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, not counting men’s (women as well) sin against them (v. 19). Paul summarizes the Gospel message succinctly in this passage. It was God who provided the reconciliation, not my response or good deeds and religious behavior. He was the one who restored what I had lost due to my sinful nature, and blatant acts of disobedience. It was an enormous cost and price that was paid for the debt of my sins. The redemption came through his son Jesus’s death on the cross. Because of this we are justified (legally declared innocent) and reconciled to the right relationship with God. Jesus’ death and resurrection produces a new life in me . This is cool! I no longer have to try and make up for what I have done wrong. I am no longer haunted by the ghosts of my past. This happened when someone that God sent to intervene in my life who previously had responded to the Gospel message. They were sent as Gods ambassador to me. I am so grateful! It changed my life here in this physical world, but more importantly restored me to my relationship with God. I am challenged when I think about my role in Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation. How are we doing in our roles as Christ’s ambassadors?
I will be forever grateful for Neil Fabilenia and his ambassadorship. In 1990 he knocked on our door in Orlando FL to share the gospel of Christ. He endured me putting off his invitation to church in order to play softball week after week. He chose to open his home and life to me, offer me friendship and studied the Bible with me knowing that my family would be moving out of the area within a month. He forgave me and loved me even after I (verbally) threw him out of my home when my Bible studies got challenging. And he rejoiced with me on the day I was baptized! He endured all of this because of the love of Christ. What can we do today to represent the love of Christ to each other and this lost and hurting world?