1Corinthians 13; 2Corinthians 5:14-18 Status Update: The Old is Gone; The New has Come

Proposition: Since we have been made new creatures, it is time to view things through the lens of redemption rather than seeing and living in the same old ways.

We've been studying God's love nature within us.  Let's look ahead to see Paul's perspective for this nature and God’s goal for us.

2 Cor. 5:14-18  “For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that from now on they which live should not live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore from now on know we no man after the flesh: yes, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now from now on know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

2 Cor. 6:11, 13 “Our heart is open wide to you...Now open wide your heart to us”

7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2Co 7:1)

The Scripture tells us that God's love constrains us which means it squeezes us like a ship into a narrow straight.  Love is not merely an action but a driving force; it's our new nature squeezing us in a new direction.  The new direction (nature) should feel less and less optional for you as time goes on.  God's love changes the way we view life.  It causes us to no longer know (view/perceive) humans after the flesh.  We stop evaluating others from a human point of view.  At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view but now because of God's love in us, we view him entirely different!

We are new creations! We have been given FRESH EYES!  The old way of viewing life is passed away and all things are becoming new to us.  Maybe you have lost hope that people or life can actually change.  God's love fills us with hope!  Instead of viewing things as hopeless, we now view things though eyes of love. (1Cor 13:4-7)

3 Takeaways:

We accept that all things are of God and we are to redeem all things (no secular/spiritual labeling)

We must open our hearts wide to one another (2Cor 6:11, 13) = no more riding the fence

We must allow the Spirit to make us holy (2Cor 7:1) = let go of old, unhelpful points of view

2012 will be a year of authentic discipleship for us (Living in the New Nature) as we focus on building up each other and those whom God gives us!