March 28, 2015

The Apostle Paul testifies why he keeps running as he rounds third and heads for the plate.

He is in the game for the right reasons.

He runs according to God’s pattern for the right reasons.

He runs to win for the following reasons found in II Corinthians 5.

HE IS CONVINCED OF ETERNAL LIFE, Vv. 15-19

^“15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

Touching the bases matters for eternity!

Are you running according to God’s pattern?

Are you running with conviction?

HE IS COMPELLED BY THE LOVE OF GOD, V. 14

^“14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”

Apostle Paul was compelled by love!

“COMPELLED” does not equal being “emotionally moved by my desire”

“COMPELLED” equals being “freed from control of sin and controlled, imprisoned by God’s love.”

The same word Paul used for compelled is the same word used when Christ was arrested and led away from the garden. Jesus was compelled to suffer and die on the cross because of the will and purpose of God.

What compels you?

Are you compelled by the love of Christ?

HE IS COMMITTED AS AN AMBASSADOR, Vv. 18-20

¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

What is an ambassador?

An ambassador represents a nation or a kingdom in another land for the purpose of creating good relations between them.

Paul was committed and compelled to represent the Gospel of eternal life to an unbelieving world. He was committed because he was convinced and compelled by God’s love for lost people.

You are representing God and His gospel every day. Are you committed to do it well?

Will anyone be drawn to faith in Christ by the way you represent Him today?