II Corinthians 5:11-21  Over and over.. in these verses Paul uses the word "therefore" or "that". He wants his readers to get this!  We are trying to see the "unseen".. we are walking by faith.. trusting God to provide the "eternal.. dwelling" that He is preparing for us.. we are making it our "ambition" to please Him now.. and then.. 

Therefore... 

V. 11  .." knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God.. "  Since we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.. to be "recompensed" for our deeds "whether good or bad".. all the more, we desire to be about His work of sharing the good news of Jesus.. persuading as many as we can.. that Jesus is the only Way, Truth, and Life.  May our lives show forth His Light..

 V. 14-15  "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf."   May this be the bottom line of our lives' ambitions.. to know the love of Christ.. to be constrained and consumed with Him.. no longer living for ourselves.. but for our Wonderful Savior! To make known this great salvation.. that Jesus died for "all"!

V. 16 "Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; "   We need to start seeing the "unseen" in others too.. Not their outward appearance.. their status or wealth or beauty.. or lack of these.. but to look at their hearts.. rejoicing with those who know Jesus.. praying for those who don't. 

V17 "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."  What wonderful news!   Let us live in this truth.. for our own sakes and for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ.. May we recognize Christ in them.. and may Christ be seen in us too!

V. 18, 21 "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."  How thankful we are for the Word and work of Jesus Christ!  Our trespasses are no longer held against us! "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

V. 20 "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ..."   We are given the opportunity and the responsibility to make known this Wonderful Savior.. begging.. entreating.. praying.. that others will also be reconciled to God through Jesus.. 

Father, teach us.. fill us.. be made known in us and through us... in Christ Jesus.... that others may also be saved, made new, reconciled with You. May the love of Christ control me.. may the Words of Christ fill my mouth.. may my eyes be opened to the unseen in others.. that I might minister Your love and compassion and grace to those who need Jesus.  Father, let Your will be done in me.. in us.. Your people.. that all we do and all we say will be pleasing to You and  that others will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! It is in His name we ask this.. Amen.