Quick Note – The Core Principles in Corinthians

When sharing the Gospel, many people like to use verses like John 3:16 or a set of verses in Romans called the Romans Road.  But interestingly, as I was reading my Bible today, I noticed that there is a set of verses in 2 Corinthians 5-6 that I believe can be used as a template for sharing the Gospel too.  I guess you could say, the Core Principles of the Gospel are in the Corinthians.  I would just like to spend a few minutes of time sharing with you some of those verses and how you can use it to share the Gospel with your friends.  So that next time, when you are asked, “What is the Gospel?” you can easily turn to these two chapters and lead someone to the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

1.  Our life on this earth is temporary, but God has provided us an eternal home if we turn to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:1-4 – For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

In this passage, Paul talks about the tent that is our earthly home and how it will eventually be destroyed.  He is not talking about a physical place but using the term tent as a metaphor for our physical bodies.  He wanted to remind the Corinthians that their human bodies on this earth are temporary.  Their lives were short and would eventually go away, but God had provided them an eternal heavenly dwelling if they were willing turn to Him. 

You can use this set of verses to emphasize the need for a Savior in Jesus Christ.  Remind your friends that they are sinners, and that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Let them know that this life is short and that they need to think about their eternal destiny.  Then, have a discussion on what they believe happens after death and where they might go.  Sometimes, it is important to remind people of the frailty of this life. 

2.  We will all be judged for what we have done in this life. 

2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

This verse is a clear reminder that we will all eventually have to pay for our sins.  There is no escape; there is no blank check; there is no free pass.  We will all be judged and receive the due reward for our actions.  For those who have sinned and done what is evil, the price to be paid is death (Romans 6:23); and since all have sinned (Romans 3:23), we all our subject to the penalty of eternal death.  Even the good things that we think we have done could never outweigh our sins, for our righteousness is considered but filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6).  We will be judged. 

Once you have established the fragility of this short life we live and the concept of an eternal home, then it is important to share with them that your eternal destiny is determined by the judgment of Christ.  There is no escape, and no hiding from God’s judgment.  It will eventually come. 

3.  God sent His Son as a reconciliation for our sins. 

2 Corinthians 5:19, 21 – …That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them…For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This passage is the solution for our sin problem.  In order to be considered righteous before God, we needed to be sinless, but since none of us are without sin, that could never be accomplished.  As an alternative, we could have a sinless sacrifice die in our place.  But once again, where could we find that sacrifice?  Fortunately for us, that sacrifice was sent to us by God Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.  Jesus lived a sinless life (He knew no sin.), which made Him the only sacrifice that could be given in our place.  So He went to the cross and died for us instead.  He took on the penalty of sin, paid for those wages, and reconciled/repaired our relationship with God.  All we needed to do was accept this gift by placing our faith and trust in Him.  We just needed to trust Him as Savior from our sins and Lord of our lives. 

After having a discussion about the judgment of God and the penalty of sin, it is important to lead your friends from that pit of despair to the mountain of Calvary.  Point them to the cross, where Jesus Christ paid that debt of death for us.  Share with them the love of God, and His willingness to die in our place.  God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  If we choose to receive Christ in to our lives, God will no longer count our sins against us, but rather, He will see that the debt has been paid by His Son and consider us righteous in His sight.

4.  Now is the Day of Salvation.  Do not delay turning your life to Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 – Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.  For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”  Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

This passage is a reminder of the urgency of salvation.  Paul was telling those reading his letter to not waste time and to not waste the grace of God.  Rather, they should turn to God right away, for now is the time, now is the day of salvation.  After reminding them that life was short and that the judgment was soon to come, he wanted them to know that receiving Christ was an urgent matter.  It was not something to procrastinate.  It was not something to delay.  It was something that needed to be done now, as the Holy Spirit was moving in their hearts.  He did not want to see the grace of God wasted.  He wanted them to hear the call of Christ and turn to Him at that moment. 

Once you have shared the solution, press upon them to make a decision.  Very often, Christians will share the Gospel with unbelievers but not ask them whether they want to receive Christ at that moment.  Fearing that they may push their friends too hard if they bring up this matter, they give them the facts but not what to do with those facts.  It is important that we remind our friends that this is an urgent matter that cannot be delayed.  It is a decision that must be made when the time is right; and the right time is now.  If you are afraid, simply bring them back to the first point about the frailty of life and help them realize that this is a decision that needs to be made ASAP.  Then ask them whether they want to give their lives to Christ at that moment. 

5.  When you are saved, you become a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 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.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us…

Paul wanted to let the Corinthians know that they were new creations.  As Christians saved by the grace of God, they were no longer supposed to live in sin and depravity, but live for the One who died for them.  They were new creations, whose purpose were to be ambassadors for Christ.  After being reconciled to God, they were now supposed to share that message of reconciliation with others.  They were disciples that were sent out to make new disciples. 

If your friend chooses to receive Christ into his or her life, it is time to rejoice.  But do not stop with this single event, let them know that they are now given a new purpose to share the Gospel with others.  Obviously, it may take some time for them to build that courage and knowledge to share their newfound faith.  But remind them that it is important that they now live a new life in Christ.  To throw out the old self that is enslaved to sin and to begin to live a new life dedicated to God.  Remind them that they are a new creation in Christ. 

Conclusion

I hope after reading this, you have been encouraged to share your faith with others.  If you did not have the knowledge of what words to say, I hope that these verses can be a template and a starting place for you to have conversations with your friends and family members who do not know Christ.  If you were afraid to share the Gospel, I hope these words gave you courage by reminding you of your responsibility as an ambassador for Christ and the urgent need for salvation in this world.  And if you are already diligently sharing God’s Word, I hope this passage can be a new tool for you as you go out and make more disciples.  2 Corinthians 5-6 – the Core Principles of the Gospel in Corinthians. 

More importantly, if you stumbled onto this blog, and do not know Christ yourself, I hope that you will consider these words and allow the Spirit of God to move into your life today.  Our life here on earth is limited, and one day we will face the judgment.  Because of our sinful state, the judgment assigned to us is death.  But Christ died on the cross for us, reconciling our relationship with God and giving us an opportunity to be presented as righteous before Him.  He paid the penalty of sin for us, so that we might be found righteous before God.  All we need to do is decide to receive Him as our Savior and Lord.  This is an urgent decision that God is asking you to make NOW.  Do not procrastinate and do not delay, for you know not when your life here on earth may be over.  So receive Him in your heart today, and He will make you a new creation.  He will give you new purpose and new life.