2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? 

A yoke was put on two oxen so they could pull a cart or perhaps a plow together as a team.  As a Christian I have different values than non-Christians.  Therefore I should not enter into any binding relationship with them.  Marriage for example or perhaps business together.  These are all places where my standards in Christ will be higher than my non-Christian counterpart.

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”

¹⁷ Therefore,

“Come out from them
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”

¹⁸ And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

7 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

These verses are NOT saying I can't have unsaved friends.  They are not saying I am to ignore or not speak to unbelievers.  They are saying I am to be different.  God has promised fellowship with me if I chose to walk with him.  My life is to change the world through Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:3-11

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

New International Version (NIV)

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: 

I understand the point of not being a stumbling block as that has been addressed before by Paul in other portions of scripture.  Upon reaching the word commend I did not grasp it's use in the context.  Upon looking it up I learned that commend can mean "Present as suitable for approval or acceptance".  Now I can wrap my mind around Paul's point.

in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

I notice that Paul uses good things and bad.  His goal is to be worthy.  I am to assure that I present myself in a worth manner for God's glory no matter what occurs in my life.

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.¹² We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Am I withholding my heart from someone?  God if there is someone to whom I need to open my heart to, convict me of it.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. ² For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

God, I've spurned your grace last week.  My prayers were weak and my devotion to you was nonexistent. 

I turn back to you now Lord.  I love you Lord.  Help me with my lack of love for you.

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. ¹² We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³ If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

My goal as a Christian is not to say "look at me", but to say look at what God has done for me.  My love for him should be the driving force behind showing Him to the world.

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

How quick I am to judge people by their appearance and then I need remind myself that God loves them and Jesus died for them too.

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

A pet peeve of mine is Christians saying, "I'm just a sinner saved by grace."   I realize they are attempting communicate they are no better than anyone else, but words and their meanings are important.  I WAS a sinners, but now I am a NEW CREATION. Yes I will still to battle against sin as long I live, but I am new.  I have died with Christ and I find my identity in Him not my former life.

¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

I am not a sinner, but the righteousness of God.  It's not through anything that I did.  Christ did it all.  This is why I share my lessons with the world.  I want them to have what I have.  

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

New International Version (NIV)

5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, ³ because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

The worst thing that can be done to me is the killing of this body.  In light of eternity, that is not a bad thing.  I have a new body the is promised to me one that is not broken.  I have several things wrong with this body and every year I am reminded more and more that it will not last.

The Holy Spirit has been given to me as proof that God will  do as he promised.  The new body will make this mortal life seem so trivial.  "...swallowed up by life", gives me the image that the new body will feel like I am living for the very first time.

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Just the other day I was thinking about all the distractions I have available the take my attention away from the Lord.  My life is supposed to be pleasing the Lord.  I should be doing my work diligently, but longing to be with my Savior.

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

This judgement seat is NOT about salvation.  It is about what I did with the opportunities God has provided for me to serve him.  Though I will not be thrown into hell for any sin I've committed as those were paid for my Jesus Christ, there will be loss for those times that I knew to do right and chose to do wrong.  

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

It's easy in church or in Christian circles to speak what I believe and as I grow in my faith it is easier to speak all the time.  Verse fourteen should have me excited.  God is going to raise me as He did Jesus and then present me to Himself.  I'm going to stand before God.

I often speak of grace and how I've come to a deeper understanding of grace.  I'm not as thankful for this grace at times as I should be.

The pattern I'm seeing here is that I believe because of grace and I speak.  Others hear my words and see the grace of God in my life and see me extending that grace to others.  They then turn to faith and receive God's grace and for that we are all thankful.  Which in turn causes others to see our faith and they turn to God and receive grace.   

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

I've lost heart the past few days because I unplugged myself from God.  Oh yeah I did Bible study, but I was not turned on or tuned it.  I was auto pilot with no real desire to learn or to change. Just one more chore for the day.

¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

It's been far too long in my eyes since I've had a job.  I'm lonely since the divorce.  Unemployment runs out next week.  I am so far behind in my school work that I will probably not finish on time for next Thursday.  I struggle with these because I've taken my eyes off Christ.  Forgive me God for turning from you and toward my own strength.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

When I'm healthy and things are going well, I admit to self reliance.  I ignore God until I need Him.  Yet when I look back at the last two years I had many days, weeks and even months that the only reason I got through was God.  I irony of that statement is that every day I open my eyes, it is only because God's power has allowed it to happen.

¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

I must give up my life for Jesus' sake.  I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in that I am not my own.  I've been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.   There are days though that I don't live like it.

God I want you life to live through mine.

God Bless

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

God's mercy is the way that I can avoid discouragement.  Relying and trusting in Him.

² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

I keep no secrets and live an open life before God and his people.  This does not mean that I air all my dirty secrets and private sin to the world.  But I do have accountability partners that know what I struggle with and I don't pretend to have it all together.

³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

When I am rejected for my faith or for the message of God, I feel sorry for them.  Many may be blinded by Satan and it is not ME they are rejecting but Jesus Christ. My job is to shine and let this world see what Christ has done in my life.  It's not a number game of "how many".  It's a life of obedience and faithfulness to the opportunities provided.

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! ¹⁰ For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. ¹¹ And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

When Moses came back to the people after standing before God to get the law, his face shown with the radiance of God.  So much so that the people could not look at him. What a great and exciting time to live and what an event to witness.  Yet the law was given to show people their need for a savior.  It was temporary.  What we have now is Christ is so much better.

I'm frustrated as I read this because I should be much more excited than I am.  Christ came that I might live.  I have the Holy Spirit within me.  These are things I have right now where for Moses and the nation of Israel they were things to come.  For give my complacency Lord and wake my spirit to the joy available in you.


¹² Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ¹³ We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

God I pray now for Israel.  That their darkness may be lifted and they will see their true Messiah. I pray that my my own dullness and apathy will be lifted from my own life.  I pray the I will be transformed into your image and for that "ever-increasing glory" mentioned here.

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. ³ You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

⁴ Such confidence we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. ⁶ He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
  
The practice of letters of recommendation still exists today.  In fact I as a man looking for a job am required to have at least 3 references that will vouch form me.  People who know me that can say, "Peter is a good worker.". 

Paul did not need a letter.  The conversion of the people at Corinth were his proof.  His confidence in the message came from God, through Christ.  He did not require a letter from human hands that cannot save a person.  He carried the Holy Spirit, who regenerated the souls of those who believed in Christ.

So...application.  I need to practice what I know about God's word more so that I too will gain Paul's level of confidence in it.  In fact just last night I took a big step in exercizing that confidence in an area that I struggle greatly.  Praise God for little victories that will one day lead to great ones.

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹² Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, ¹³ I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

God will open doors for me and he will tell me when it is time for me to move on.

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. ¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?

When we speak of God when we are lead by God, our words will be accepted by some and rejected by others.  Those who will not accept Christ are going to die without him and this something they don't want to hear.

¹⁷ Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
  
What my motive for teaching?  Fame, money, pride or the sincerity of one sent by Christ?


God bless.