Yesterday was a matter of the heart concerning pride. Today is a matter of the mind. What do we want to do?

7 Now then, my children, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. 9 Keep to a path far from her [temptation], do not go near the door of her house…

The next verses in our study of 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 are 13-15. Let’s look at verse 13:

¹³ If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 

There will be times when we will be considered out of our minds for following Christ. The decisions we make are based upon the Spirit’s prompting in our lives. We spend time reading the testimonies of the Apostles and other Christians in our New Testament; we discuss what we know with each other, asking the Spirit to guide us into more truth, even all truth; we spend time in conversation with Jesus seeking His face and pledging ourselves to Him for right here, right now. The decisions we make are based upon His kingdom and not this kingdom (world), or our health, wealth, control, fear, etc.

In this case, Paul and the others were in their right spiritual minds for the Galatians. Paul had their needs in mind and what was best for them. This next statement was specifically for them, but is also a universal truth:

¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

The love of the Christ who is in our hearts guides our thoughts and is our highest motivator in our decision making. In following Christ, we first must believe that He is who He says He is and that He did what He said He would do (John 12:23, 32). Paul then states the spiritual fact that in Christ, all died to sin. It’s what the Law did on a limited basis (the Jews died vicariously through the death of their sacrifices). We know that the Father postponed judgment for all sin until the cross (Romans 3:25) and then Jesus took that sin to the grave–then He rose again while leaving sin in that grave! Now, all who choose to walk in His light walk out of their graves and into eternal life with Christ.

If we will remember this truth each day, we will “no longer live for ourselves” but for Christ. We are His; He has a wonderful plan for us. He has shown us the love of the Father. Let’s be about the Father’s business.

Abba, thank You for loving me. Thank You for Jesus conquering sin and the grave and giving me new life. May I be enthusiastic about sharing such good news with others. Amen.