2 Corinthians 5:11-21 - Controlled By The Love Of Christ

¹¹ We know what it means to respect the Lord so we persuade others. God knows us and I hope that you know us in your hearts (consciences). ¹² We are not again commending ourselves to you. But we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us. That way you may have an answer for those who glory in appearance, and not in heart. ¹³ For if we are beside ourselves (crazy) (insane) it is to God. If we are of sound mind, it is to you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us to judge, that one died for all and therefore all died. ¹⁵ He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for their sakes and rose again.

¹⁶ From now on we know no man according to the flesh: even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer. ¹⁷ If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things have passed away. Behold, they have become new. ¹⁸ All things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ. He gave the ministry of reconciliation to us. ¹⁹ God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ. He was not imputing their trespasses against them, for he had committed the word of reconciliation to us. ²⁰ We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ that you be reconciled to God. ²¹ He made the one who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf. That way we might become the righteousness of God in him.