“Now Is The Favorable Time” (2 Corinthians 5: 21, ESV) by Carley Evans

God, for our sakes, makes Jesus — who knows no sin in Himself — sin. God does this so that we — who know sin so intimately — “might become the righteousness of God.”

Who becomes the righteousness of God? We do. How do we become this righteousness? Through Jesus Christ, who “is reconciling the world to Himself, not counting [the world’s] trespasses against [it].” (2 Corinthians 5: 19)

The message to the world and to us is this: “Behold, now is the favorable time: behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6: 2) “Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5: 20)

Our reconciliation comes through Jesus who “makes peace by the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1: 20) Jesus presents us — in His body and through His death — to God the Father as “holy and blameless and above reproach.” (Colossians 1: 22)

Paul encourages us with this truth: “For if while we are still enemies we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now receive reconciliation.” (Romans 5: 10 – 11)

Rejoice in the Lord’s mercy for He saves you from yourself.

“The Royal Law Of Liberty” (1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 5, ESV) by Carley Evans

Love does not insist on its own way, but is kind and patient. Love has no envy, jealousy, arrogance. Love is never rude. Love is humble, giving, considerate.

Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5: 7) “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5: 9)

James writes, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scriptures, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” (James 2: 8 – 10)

We are accountable for all of the law for we each fail at one point or another. God is merciful. He forgives us our trespasses as we forgive others.

“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2: 12 – 13)

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13: 13)