In 2 Corinthians Paul observes that genuine conversion to Christ leads to spiritual transformation (3:16-18). Despite the challenges of serving the Lord in an antichristian world, the apostle says with confidence, “… as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart” (4:1). Our commitment and focus are redirected. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (4:16).1 Looking beyond the temporal and focusing on the eternal (4:17-18), five good reasons to press on are listed in the fifth chapter of 2 Corinthians.
1. The Hope of Heaven. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven …. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:1-8). Despite the inevitable pain, suffering, and trials of this problem-plagued earthly existence, as the redeemed in Christ we have something so much better to look forward to!
2. Aiming to Please the Lord. “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (v. 9). Instead of making heaven our main goal, if our leading priority is to live a life pleasing to the Lord, everything else falls into place. We will instinctively love and obey him, serve him and others, and heaven will take care of itself—not just for the individual Christian but for everyone impacted by our faithful lives of pleasing the Lord.
3. The Coming Judgment. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (v. 10). Temporal life on earth is preparatory for eternity. The day of judgment is an appointment all will keep. Now is the time to be prepared.2
4. The Terror of the Lord. “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men …” (v. 11). Admittedly this may not be the best motivation, but for some, realizing the horrifying consequences of rejecting the Lord’s goodness and the just penalty for sin can be a strong motivator in overcoming apathetic resistance. If fear is what it takes to lead someone away from the path of destruction to the way of righteousness, so be it.
5. The Love of Christ. “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (vv. 14-15). When Paul speaks of “the love of Christ,” is this Christ’s love for us or our love for Christ? Yes, it is! We love him because he first loved us, which is a compelling reason to continue following his lead.
Conclusion
People are motivated by different things. What motivates you might not motivate me, and vice versa. But surely we all can relate to some if not every one of the reasons listed in the fifth chapter of 2 Corinthians. We have plenty of incentive to not give up and to be faithful to the Lord until our future hope is realized.
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the New King James Version (1996).
2 See K. L. Moore, “Preterism: What’s the Big Deal? (Part 1),” Moore Perspective (3 June 2020), <Link>.
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