UNRESTRAINED

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [1]

Intro: 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. At one time, Paul had evaluated Jesus from a worldly point of view—in Greek, literally, “after the flesh,” meaning “according to human standards.” As an educated Jew, Paul was looking forward to the Messiah. But the Jews of his time were looking for a political Messiah, a powerful person who would free them from Roman rule. Instead, Jesus had died, even suffering the Romans’ most cruel punishment: crucifixion. Because Deuteronomy 21:23 says “anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse” NIV, the Jews considered dying on a cross a sign of God’s disapproval. According to human standards, Jesus was an insignificant man who died like a criminal—not a person who deserved worship.

Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). 1 & 2 Corinthians (p. 354). Tyndale House.

Regard to know (cognitive) v. — to be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about.

sinful humanity ⇔ flesh n. — the physical aspect of a person in distinction to the immaterial soul; often understood as the seat of sin and rebellion to God.

1 (5:17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. New Creature—New Man—Regeneration: the message is one of regeneration, the making of a “new creature.” a. What does it mean for a man to become a “new creature”? Very simply, it means just what the Scripture says: the man actually becomes a new creature—his whole being, nature, life, and behavior changes:

→ Whereas a man was dead to God, as a new creature he becomes alive to God.

→ Whereas a man had no relationship with God, as a new creature he is given a relationship with God.

→ Whereas a man was not sure about God, as a new creature he is absolutely certain about God.

→ Whereas a man never fellowshipped and communed with God, as a new creature he fellowships and communes with God all the time.

→ Whereas a man was living in sin and immorality, as a new creature he lives in righteousness and holiness.

→ Whereas a man had to face death, as a new creature he never has to die.

→ Whereas a man was doomed to judgment and eternal separation from God, as a new creature he is destined to live eternally in the presence of God.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The First & Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (p. 277). Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

new (unseen) adjs. — original and of a kind not seen before.

old (time) n. — past times or states of affairs; often times in the distant past.