Because of the Gospel...
The reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is undeniable in the life of the believer. So much so that in 2Cor. 5:14-21 Apostle Paul communicates 5 immediate consequences from the reality of the Gospel.
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 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. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2Cor. 5:14-21, ESV)
5 Consequences from the Gospel
1. Because of the reality of the Gospel we are compelled by the love of Christ to live for Him. (vv14-15)
This means you having a deep desire to live for and please Jesus, because His love compels you (urges/pushes you) to do so. This means you live no longer for yourself, because you cannot live both for Him and for yourself at the same time.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Gal. 5:16-17, NIV)
No longer living for yourself means a major shift in your thinking. You are no longer the center of your universe, Jesus is. And because of the Gospel, you must be constantly conscientious about that. He is the Sun in your galaxy. Which means what? You revolve around Him. He nor His plan revolves around you.
2. Because of the reality of the Gospel we are new creations. (v17)
This means you are no longer to be identified by your old mess in sin but your newness in Christ. Because of the Gospel, the reality is more of Christ will be visible in you. For, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).
3. Because of the reality of the Gospel we are ministers of reconciliation. (vv18-19)
This mean you are to serve the world the message of reconciliation, which is, "in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them".
4. Because of the reality of the Gospel we are ambassadors for Christ. (v20)
This means you are a representative of Christ in this world. He is pleading to others through you.
5. Because of the reality of the Gospel we are the righteousness of God in Christ. (v21)
This means your faith in Jesus now reveals the righteousness of God. You reveal to the world that you don't work your way to God (earn your way in Heaven), but rather you believe that Jesus did all the work and your faith in Him is what makes you righteous.
Conclusion
Because of the reality of the Gospel, anyone who truly believes in Jesus Christ is a new person with a new mission. We can't shake it or deny it, nor will we want to.
If we claim to believe the biblical Gospel, if we claim to be believers of Jesus, if we claim we are born-again, then these 5 are what proceed from that reality we claim.
2015