Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 (NIV)
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 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. 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. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
What motivation does Paul give to share your faith?
Today, I kneel humbly before You, filled with love, fear and awe of Your mighty power. You are so Holy that it wells up a wonder and reverential fear of Your presence. Who am I that such a mighty God would love me? I am compelled to share Your message of love not only because I know who I serve, but also because of what You have done for me. The knowledge that you paid the cost for my sins with Your pain, suffering and death drives me to live for You. You have called me to live a life of love for You and then for others. Forgive me, Lord, when that love drifts and I allow the love for other things replace the passion of love for You and others. Keep me motivated by the reality that since You have made me a new creation, my life is changed and I must live a life that is consistent with who You have made me to be. Make my life dead to self-centered living, dead to personal agendas, dead to personal ambitions, but alive to You. As I look at others in love through Your eyes, I deeply desire for them to know Your love and salvation. To consider that the lost around me are headed to an eternity in Hell gives me an urgency to share Your message. Lord, re-ignite the passion in my soul and in Your church. Make Your Word burn like a fire that cannot be contained so that there is a revival across the world so all people can come to know You as Lord. May Your love compel me in everything I do. I desire nothing more than to please You with my life so that when I stand before Your heavenly throne I can hear the words “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant”. Amen