2 Corinthians 5:9 NLT
“So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.”
Coming from a background of being a sworn enemy of the Cross, Paul’s words of commitment to Jesus Christ—after his conversion—cut so deeply. Indeed, it is so wonderful to know that the Cross of Christ can never be emptied of its power to transform the vilest offender who truly believes. The same Apostle Paul would testify to that and say, “To preach the message of the cross seems like sheer nonsense to those who are on their way to destruction, but TO US who are on our way to salvation, it is the mighty power of God released within us” (1 Cor 1:18 TPT). That is the mind and language of a soul truly transformed by Christ!
In our text of reference, the Apostle made another weighty statement, saying, “whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him [the Lord].” Think about that for a moment, particularly in light of Paul’s previous testimony that, “I was born a true Hebrew of the heritage of Israel as the son of a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin. I was circumcised eight days after my birth and was raised in the strict tradition of Orthodox Judaism…And concerning the righteousness of the Torah [the Law], no one surpassed me; I was without a peer. Furthermore, as a fiery defender of the truth, I persecuted the messianic believers with religious zeal” (Php 3:5-6 TPT).
Listen to what Paul says next: “Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord!” (Php 3:7 TPT). Paul’s submissions clearly reveal a major departure in perspective: from a self-centered, earthly stance to a God-centered, heavenly one. Indeed, the more we grow in and experience the grace and mercy of God, the more we long to please and honour Him. Besides, the kind of things that matter most to us will become more God-centered than self-centered. Find the liberating peace and satisfaction in pleasing the LORD; all other things bring true satisfaction only when done in honour of God’s glory. Hallelujah!
Pst. Emmanuel
