13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 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. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 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. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Cor 5:13-21
Q & A：
- How can you relate to the scripture reference of having an untamed tongue with the destructive power of setting the course on fire and bringing unruly evil or deadly poison to the world? Have you come across anyone whose words tend to come out with bitterness, hostility or resentment and how does the spring of bitter water reveal about the bad experiences and the sin nature that is working in the heart of these people? (Jam 3:2-12)
- By self-examining your track of words spoken, what type of words should not be said, may have got you into trouble or caused harm to others? What is the difference between having a healthy disagreement and sowing discord and how should we react when a possibility of sowing discord arises in our family, workplace, or church? (Prov 6:14, 19; Prov 10:19)
- Have you noticed the difference between words that carry substance with depth by a wise person and a fool around you who just talks with words that are empty, discourage and minister nothing? Discuss how you can live out the transformed life as a new creation from the inside out by reigning over your flesh and taming your tongue to flow out words that encourage, comfort and build up others. (John 3:5-6; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 4:23-24; Phi 4:13; 1 Pet 3:3-4)