If We Are Beside Ourselves, It Is For God

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.

For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;

For He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the world of reconciliation.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:9-21 Gideon’s International Version

He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Mark Twain has told us that in the future we will be more disappointed by the things we did not do or did not attempt to do, than by the things we did do. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, and dream, and discover.

Paul’s passion for people was fueled by the love of Christ – and ours should be as well. Get away from being safe. Share the love of Christ with someone today.

Talking to Christ about others helps us talk to others about Christ.

Find out what you are passionate about and go for it.

Our Daily Bread – December 2, 2008