12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, (2 Corinthians 5:12-14a)
This passage comes at an interesting point of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. He had just done writing about how what we are – what we truly are – is known to God. It serves as a stern reminder to be who you are and skip the facade. While after this passage, we get the often quoted new creation passage. There is a sense that when we own up to how we really feel, act, and think, then God is free to move within us to create something that looks more like His Son.
boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. Social media. Enough said. Even when we try to be humble it is only an attempt to convince others of our humility. Christ followers are to be heart people. What a world we would live in if we showed others the condition of our hearts regularly. The problem may be that we are ashamed of the us inside. We may shy away because of heart dysfunction. Many settle for boasting in outward appearance because of an inward absence. We are to boast of our hearts because that is the territory in which Christ dwells. When we give Him free reign, then even our faults cry of an attractive redemption the world is in desperate need of.
For the love of Christ controls us. If we are not careful, the love of self can dictate the terms of our lives. When we love Jesus, it is easy to love others. We can never control or contain the affection the Lord provides us. When we put Christ first in our thoughts, we can finally “get it right”. On our own, we rarely choose well. The shade in which we see the world is faulty at best and therefore every decision is marred with sin. When Christ then takes over control, attributes and actions that were beyond our reach before become our calling card. A former liar can be praised for his honesty, not because he suddenly became honest, but because that which controls him has given him a new countenance.
Today, have an honest assessment of yourself then surrender it to your Father.
Matt simon blog 