READ: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
In verse 13, Paul describes
the radical change that had taken place in his life as a result of Jesus living
in and through him by saying, “if we are beside ourselves, it is for God” (cf.
2 Cor. 4:7-12). A more literal way to
translate this phrase would be, “if we are out of our minds (to think or reason
in a completely irrational manner, to be insane, or mad). Paul and his companions were thinking, and
therefore living, like mad-men because their lives had been made new by the
mind-altering presence of Jesus Christ in their life.
The same radical change
occurs in our lives when Christ is living in and through us! When we are living for Jesus
Christ it will appear as if we have LOST our MIND! When we begin walking with Christ, one of the
first things to change is our thinking,
which will make it seem to those around us as if we’ve lost our mind. In this passage the apostle Paul shares some
of the characteristics in his life that came about as a result of “losing his
mind”. If we’ve lost our mind then these
will be characteristics of our lives as well.
1.
We’ve lost our mind if the LOVE of Christ CONTROLS us
(vs. 14-15) – It was Christ’s display of love on the cross which compelled
Paul to no longer live for himself! Paul
felt obligated to no longer live for himself, but to live for Jesus Christ, as
a result of His death for his sake. Paul put it this way in Phil. 1:21, “to live
is Christ”! When we are living
for Christ we no longer live life for ourselves. Others will think we have lost our minds when
we start seeking God’s will instead
of pursing our own plans and dreams for our lives. Others will think we have lost our minds when
begin orienting our whole lives around
Jesus Christ instead of our own personal fulfillment and happiness. That’s what the love of Christ does to our
minds, it is a controlling force which comes in, takes over, and begins
dictating the way we live our whole lives.
2. We’ve lost our mind if we KNOW others
in regard to their relationship with Christ (vs. 16-17) –
After losing his mind, Paul began to think about others from a different perspective. Paul no longer came to know others merely by
their outward human characteristics (gender, race, appearance, family, personality,
affluence, etc), but rather based on their spiritual position “in Christ”. In Paul’s mind, others were either “in
Christ” or not “in Christ”. Paul thought of others, either as still living
according to the old self (sinful nature) or having become a new creation
(slaves to righteousness) (Rom. 6:5-14). Once we’ve “lost our mind” we will start
getting to know others beyond the surface and superficial. The most important question for those of us
who have lost our minds is whether or not others have been made new creation
through a personal relationship with Christ.
3. We’ve lost our mind if we are AMBASSADORS for Christ (vs. 18-20) – Paul had been reconciled to God and was assigned
the ministry and message of reconciliation.
Paul was immediately given a position and a job to do . . . ambassador for Christ. As an ambassador Paul was given the authority
to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ. Once we’ve lost our minds and become representatives
of Christ, we join in God’s effort to reconcile the whole world to Himself. As ambassadors of Jesus the message we are to
bring to others is, “be reconciled to God”.
This message may not be well received by others, but it is the job
description of those who have lost their minds!
In reality, it is those who
have not “lost their minds” who should seem strange and out of touch with
reality. Without God all our minds’ can
come up with are selfish, greedy, and evil thoughts and decisions! Remember, although when we are living our
lives for Christ we may appear to have lost our minds, we are actually the ones
that are thinking most clearly and accurately
about what is true!
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