We are about to look at what has been labeled in some translations as "The Ministry of Reconciliation." Lets see what we can glean from this text, shall we? This ministry has to come before the phantom image of GOD's existence can be shown as our own reality along side of his. This phantom image has been the world's religious systems business for centuries. And has been unchecked until now.
2Corinthians 5:11-15 "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your [2]consciences(G4893. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ [1]constraineth(G4912) us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." (KJV)
2Corinthians 5:11-15 "Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your [2]conscience(G4893). We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls(G4912) us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (ESV)
2Corinthians 5:11-15 "We persuade people in the [1,G5402]radiance of the LORD! His visible glory is mirrored in us! Our lives are transparent before GOD; we anticipate that you will witness the same transparency in your [2,G4893]conscience! (The word, [2,G4893, From a prolonged form of G4894, From G4862 and G1492] suneido, translates as conscience, joint seeing, to be aware of. In 2Corinthians 4:2 we find, "with the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience." Here the word, (G5399 from G5401, G5457) phobe, speaks of dread, terror, fear! I would prefer to use the word, [1, G5402, G5457] phoibe, which means radiant! Because of images and idols of our own imaginations of a schizophrenic, monster god, we have Bible translations endorsing! If 2Corinthians 5:10 points to a future judgment, then in verse 14, Paul is constrained by the love of Christ!? Jesus is the expressed image of GOD, the radiance of his beauty! [Hebrews 1:3; John 14:10] He has made the invisible GOD visible! He is the Fathers light within whom there is no shadow due to compromise; there is no dark side to GOD! Paul is not one day motivated by the terror of GOD and the next by his love! ) We do not want you to pity us, but rather to be proud of us for your own sakes! We are not into window-dressing because we are not into window-shopping. Neither are we here to impress you with us but to impress you with you! We are [1]blissfully out of our minds with pleasure before our Maker; he delights in our ecstasy. Our insane mode is between us and GOD; we promise to behave ourselves sane and sober before you! (The word, [1, G1839, From G1537 ek , and G2476 histēmi, to hold upright] ekstase, is to be blissfully out of one's mind with pleasure!) The love of Christ [1,G4912]resonates within us and leaves us with only one conclusion: Jesus died humanity's due death; therefore, in GOD's logic every individual simultaneously died. (The word, [1,G4912 From G4862 and G2192] sunecho, is from (G4846) sun, meaning two together with and (G2192)echo , meaning to echo, to embrace, to hold, to heal and thusly translated, to resonate. Jesus didn't die 99% or for 99%. He died humanity's death of judgment 100%! If Paul had to compromise the last part of verse 14 to read: "one died for all therefore only those who follow the prescribed pattern or prescriptions qualify, have also dieid," then he would have had to change the first half of this verse as well! Only the love of Christ can make a calculation of such enormous proportions! The religious mind would question the extremity of GOD's Agape, love and perhaps prefer to add a condition or two to a statement like this! ) Now if all were included in his death they were equally included in his resurrection. This unveiling of his love redefines human life! Whatever reference we could have of ourselves outside of our association with Christ is no longer relevant [it remains a falsehood, a lie!]. (The Mirror)
In our next posting we shall continue this conversation, the LORD willing. Until then may the LORD richly bless you and yours with his Amen.
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