2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2; Psalm 40:1-3

2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2
Here Paul reminds the Corinthians that he and his helpers sincerely want to do everything they do for the glory of God.  He also states that we who believe that Christ died for us, should be dead to our old life. "...He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them." vv. 14-15 Now that we belong to Christ, we have become new people on the inside. "The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" v. 17. This means we are new creations, not merely reformed or rehabilitated. We have truly begun a new life with a new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

This new life is a gift from God. We were estranged from Him (just as partners in a marriage or members of a family can be estranged from one another), but He has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, no longer counting our sins against us. Now, as believers, it's our job to be ambassadors for Christ, encouraging other people to be reconciled to God in the same way. "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." v. 21

Paul urges us in 2 Cor. 6:1 not to accept God's marvelous gift only to ignore it. "For God says, 'At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.' Indeed, the 'right time' is now. Today is the day of salvation." v. 2

Some people plan to be saved "some day." This passage teaches that a person who hears the Good News should not procrastinate because today is the day of salvation!

Psalm 40:1-3
"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,..." When have we ever waited patiently for anything? I think impatience is an almost universal human fault! I know it's one of my faults for sure.

But David declared that he waited patiently for the Lord. And what did the Lord do?

• He turned to David and heard his cry.
• He lifted him out of despair.
• He set his feet on solid ground.
• He steadied him as he walked.
• He gave him a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
• Many others saw what happened and put their trust in the Lord.

Wow! I would say it's well worth waiting patiently for the Lord!