How can we apply the lesson of "no longer regard them" today? What the Phrase Means “So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh…” (2 Corinthians 5:16). Paul is declaring a permanent change in viewpoint: believers are to stop assessing people by earthly markers—status, success, failures, ethnicity, or past sins—and start seeing every person in light of Christ’s redemptive work. Why It Matters for Us • The cross re-defines worth: Jesus’ sacrifice assigns equal, immeasurable value to every soul (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:18-19). • God’s Word forbids favoritism (James 2:1-4). Partial, flesh-based judgments contradict the gospel. • A spiritual lens fuels reconciliation; the old dividing walls fall (Ephesians 2:14-16; Galatians 3:28). Practical Ways to “No Longer Regard Them” 1. See every person as an eternal soul. • Before speaking, remind yourself: “Christ died for this one” (Romans 5:8). • Let that thought shape tone, patience, and compassion. 2. Drop worldly labels. • Replace “rich/poor, educated/uneducated, conservative/liberal” with “image-bearer” (Genesis 1:27). • Practice it aloud: refer to people first as “brother,” “sister,” or “neighbor,” not by status tags. 3. Confront hidden prejudices. • Ask the Spirit to expose any subtle biases (Psalm 139:23-24). • When convicted, repent immediately and take a concrete step of love toward the person or group you once dismissed. 4. Weigh conversations by eternal impact. • Social media posts, debates, and jokes should pass the test: “Will this help them see Christ?” (Colossians 4:5-6). • If not, edit or delete. 5. Welcome unlikely friendships. • Sit with someone new at church (Romans 12:16). • Invite coworkers of different backgrounds to dinner; let hospitality preach unity (1 Peter 4:9-10). 6. Serve beyond comfort zones. • Volunteer where you’ll meet people unlike yourself—prisons, shelters, nursing homes (Hebrews 13:3). • Doing so trains the heart to look past externals and cherish souls. 7. Speak gospel identity over believers. • When a brother mentions past failures, remind him he is “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). • Celebrate growth rather than rehearse old scars. Guardrails to Keep the Habit • Daily Scripture intake renews the mind (Romans 12:2). • Regular fellowship with diverse believers stretches perspective (Acts 13:1). • Accountability partners can lovingly point out moments when you slip back into flesh-based judgments (Proverbs 27:17). The Expected Fruit • Churches marked by genuine unity (Psalm 133:1). • Marriages and families characterized by grace over grudges (Colossians 3:13). • A credible witness before a watching world that longs for authentic love (John 13:35). When we stop regarding people “according to the flesh” and start viewing them through Christ’s finished work, we align our hearts with heaven’s viewpoint, and the gospel becomes tangible in everyday relationships. |
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