2 Corinthians Week 7

Day 1 

READ 

2 Corinthians 5:4-5 

4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 

Paul told what it is like for believers in their earthly bodies with their limitations and pains. In contrast, Christ-followers look forward to the day when they will have glorified bodies and the “dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.” God has given believers His Holy Spirit as a guarantee of this marvelous truth.  

REFLECT 

Regardless of how you are doing physically, thank the Lord for the glorious future that awaits you as a believer in Jesus.  

RESPOND 

Join with a believer in talking about the promise of the Holy Spirit. See Ephesians 1:12-14 for what God has done for believers. See John 14:15-17 for what Jesus promised long before Paul wrote Ephesians.  

Day 2 

READ 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 

6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 

For believers, there are only two possibilities about where their bodies are: either in this world or “at home with the Lord.” Some teach believers will be in an unconscious sleep until Jesus comes back, but that is not what Paul and the Bible teach. For believers to be away from their earthly bodies means they will be with the Lord.  

REFLECT 

Does this truth from the Scriptures encourage you? It should.  

RESPOND  

Talk with other believers about the promise of 1 Thessalonians 4:14. It says believers who have died are with Jesus in heaven. When He returns to catch up the Church-age believers they come back with Him. The entire passage of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is an excellent one to think about. 

Day 3 

READ 

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 

9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 

The goal of all believers should be to please Jesus. Someday all followers of Christ will be evaluated for what they have done to honor Him. The word “evil” in this passage is better understood as “good for nothing” or “worthless.” The Greek word for “evil” is ponēros but the one used here is phaulos. Some activities can be worthless in honoring the Lord Jesus. 

REFLECT 

Are you doing some things that are bringing dishonor to the Lord rather than honor?  

RESPOND 

Believers and unbelievers are both judged according to their works. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 indicates this for believers; Revelation 20:11-15 indicates this for unbelievers. Just as there will be different degrees of rewards for Christ-followers, there will be different degrees of punishment for Christ-rejecters.  

Day 4 

READ 

2 Corinthians 5:11-12 

11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 

Paul contrasted the difference between having a sincere heart and boasting about one’s ministry. Those with a sincere heart seek to persuade others spiritually. Some are more concerned about the numbers they reach rather than the influence they have in their spiritual growth. Paul wanted the Corinthians to have a reason to be proud of his ministry. 

REFLECT 

How is it with you? Are you more concerned about how many people you talk to or the spiritual growth some of them are experiencing? 

RESPOND 

Back to the Bible has done research with thousands of people the world over that has shown the significant difference that occurs in a person’s life by being engaged in the Bible by reading or listening at least four times a week. It is not that the Bible is a magical book; it is because of the Christ of the Bible they learn about. Temptations and life styles radically change for the positive by this practice. Talk with others about doing this. 

Day 5 

READ 

2 Corinthians 5:13-15 

13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 

Paul wrote about the dramatic change in a person’s life who believes in Jesus for salvation. Believing in Jesus results in a person dying to his or her old life. Christ-followers will no longer live for themselves but to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. The radical difference that will be seen in a follower of Jesus is that the person no longer lives for self but for Jesus. 

REFLECT 

Think about your life. Are you living only for yourself or for Jesus? Do you want to please Him in all you do? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about this important topic. Let Colossians 3:15-17 guide you in your discussion about how to live to please Jesus.