Daily Bible Plan - 2. Corinthians

12. September 2025

Devotion by Deacon Thomson

Theme: Set Apart – 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

The Reality of Our Earthly Body and Eternal Hope

Paul the Apostle opened up this chapter with the reality of heaven in view. He referred to our physical body as “our earthly house of this tabernacle” in Verse 1. Man is essentially a spirit, he has a soul and lives in a body. 1 Thess 5:23With our spirit, we contact the spiritual realm. With the soul, we contact the mental realm and with the body, we contact this physical realm. When the “earthly house of this tabernacle” is dissolved, that signifies a departure of the spirit and soul from this physical body. This phenomenon is called death.

However, death is not the end. It symbolizes the end of an era and the beginning of another. It indicates the end of time and the beginning of eternity.

There is a blessed assurance of a new body which is glorious when we die, Paul described this by saying “For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” Vv4God made it so and gave His Holy Spirit as a seal of assurance that this promise is guaranteed. So, as believers we are not hopeless when we transition into eternity. “Now He that wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, Who also hath given us the earnest of the Spirit.Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)” Vv 5-7.

In conclusion, as long as we live here on earth, we are “at home in the body” and absent from the Lord, as believers. So when a believer dies, he goes home “to be present with the Lord.” It is important to believe that God has made this provision and to walk by faith, living our lives as strangers and pilgrims in this world and keeping the reality of eternity in view. We must live here on earth as children of God, representing His Kingdom and not as children of the devil.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

Having talked about the reality of eternity and the new body we will be given by the Lord, Paul the Apostle also made a vital point in Vv10: “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”This bothers on how we live our lives while in this earthly body. Notice that he wrote this epistle to believers in Christ Jesus. He emphasized that we must ALL appear before “the judgement seat of Christ.” This is different from the “great white throne judgement” (Rev 20:11-15) where unbelievers will appear before God and be judged.

The judgement seat of Christ is where we will appear as believers when we leave this earthly body. It is where we will appear to receive the reward of our works done whilst in this body, whether good or bad. Some Christians today believe that they may even lead a reckless life because the salvation of their souls has been dealt with once and for all. They believe they can live in sin and still lay claim to the grace of God. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may. abound?God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?It is a lie from the pit of hell to assume that one can live a life that displeases God and still win the smile on the face of Jesus.Paul the Apostle continued by saying “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” II Cor 5:11

The New Creation in Christ

Moreso, he talked about the reality of our new creation in Christ. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” II Cor 5:17Anyone who genuinely accepts Christ as Lord and Saviour is a new creature in the sight of God and does not have a past any longer. He now has a new beginning in Christ and ought to desire the sincere milk of the word of God, as a newborn babe, so that he may begin to grow.

1 Pet 2:2 As the new man in Christ grows, he will also become aware of his new nature, which is the nature of God which wants to please God always. Peter described it as the divine nature. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” II Pet 1:4

The Ministry of Reconciliation

As this new believer grows, he also becomes aware of his ministry, that is, the ministry of reconciliation. “And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” II Cor 5:18-20It is clear from the above Scriptures that every born again child of God has been given the ministry of reconciling the world to Christ. How do we achieve this? By winning souls to Christ. We must go and meet the people where they are and preach Christ to them. We must not wait for them to come to us, we must go to them with the gospel of the Kingdom. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” II Cor 5: 11

The Believer’s Right Standing with God

Finally, Paul the Apostle spoke about the right standing that the believer has with God. As long as a believer remains stedfast in Christ Jesus, remaining in vital union and intimacy with Him, such a believer has right standing with God. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”II Cor 5:21The believer in Christ Jesus can now approach the throne of God with boldness to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the hour of need. Hebrews 4:16

Reflection Questions

1. How does the reality of eternity remind me that I am set apart for something beyond this world?

2. In what ways does being set apart shape how I prepare to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?

3. What does it mean for me personally to walk daily in the righteousness of God as someone set apart for His glory?

Prayer

Heavenly Father,Thank You for setting me apart as Your child through Christ. Help me to live with eternity in view, to walk in holiness, and to be mindful of the judgment seat of Christ. Lord, let my life reflect my new creation identity and my calling as an ambassador for Your Kingdom. Teach me to walk daily in the righteousness You have given me, set apart for Your glory and purposes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessings,

Deacon Thomson

Fortified City Church | Basel City Church