Day 79 — Christ’s Love Moves Us Outward

Day 79 · Making Christ Known · 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 (NET2)

Paul’s ministry is shaped by Christ’s death and resurrection. Those who live through him no longer live for themselves. God reconciles sinners to himself through Christ and entrusts a message of reconciliation to his servants. Forgiveness and restored relationship are costly gifts of grace. Our witness invites people to receive that reconciliation, rather than presenting ourselves as superior to those who need it.

Request

Father, let Christ’s love move me beyond a life centered on myself. Amen.

Read

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. ¹⁵ And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised. ¹⁶ So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer. ¹⁷ So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away —look, what is new has come! ¹⁸ And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹ In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!” ²¹ God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. How does Christ’s saving work shape Paul’s purpose and message?
2. What self-centered concern may be limiting your willingness to make Christ known?

Restate

Describe reconciliation with God as a gift accomplished through Christ.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise God for reconciling sinners to himself.
• Thanksgiving: Thank Jesus for dying and rising for you.
• Confession: Confess living mainly for your own comfort.
• Intercession: Pray for someone who needs reconciliation with God.
• Petition: Ask for love that speaks his message humbly and clearly.

Carry it into today: Pray for one person and look for a respectful opportunity to speak of God’s grace.