“12We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 16From 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.” – 2 Corinthians 5:12 & 16 (ESV)
I wrote about God looking inward and we should as well. Here in 2 Corinthians, Paul is stressing that point once again as Samuel did before. It is not for me to concern myself with the outward of myself or others. The LORD looks inward and I should as well.
When reading this morning, see and am reminded that Christ died and became a new creation as that which was known fell away. His outward appearance was inconsequential as He was now a new creation. I should concern myself with the same. Now that I am in Christ, I am a new creation and the old of me has fallen away.
“17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
I am to be here and focused on the inward parts of myself. I have to have a right heart with God. I have to do all things with His glory in mind. As such, my outward falls away and becomes inconsequential. It is important for me not to just concern myself with my inward parts, but look at others and be concerned for their inward parts and selves also. I should look to those inward parts and how they are there to glorify God. As such, the outward parts of them become inconsequential and fall away. I have to allow for the new creation of them to manifest for the glory of God.
When you think about yourself and others, what parts are you looking at? Are you concerning yourself with the outward and ignoring the inward parts? What if looked to the inward and how that is glorifying God and allowed for the outward parts to be inconsequential?
Trevor's Thoughts 