2 Corinthians 10:1-5

2 Corinthians 10:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!

My temper was huge just a few years ago.  I am awed and amazed at how differently situations go when I approach people with humility and a gentleness that could only have come from God.  People who have known me for years have noticed the difference.  The ones who have benefited greatly are my children.

Thank you for those changes you have brought into my life.

² I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.

Confrontation is not fun.  Even the apostle Paul did not want to do it, but he would if required.  God give me your wisdom in confronting those who need to be confronted and just listening and coming along side those who are hurting because you are working in their lives.

³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

So many battles going on in this world.  I just take a look at the mess the USA is in and I could take a side and get involved and push for my candidate or my party or my favorite pet project and as an a Christian who is an American I should participate in my local government.  However the battle in America is not just in politics.  The devil is alive and well I need to be praying and God I confess that I just don't.

If I take every though captive to Christ, every moment of every day, my life will change.  Dramatically.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I am to give what I have decided and to so willingly and cheerfully.

⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”

God has promised to meet my needs, not my greeds.

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

The purpose of my giving is a show of gratitude for what he has given me.  Then by my giving the needs of others are met and they too have an opportunity to praise God.

The act of giving in itself is a gift according to verse 15.  I never thought of it that way.  I must rethink giving again.

2 Corinthians 9:1-5

2 Corinthians 9:1-5

New International Version (NIV)

9 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. ² For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³ But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. ⁴ For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. ⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Paul continues in his encouragement and praise of the church at Corinth.  Yet his is also a realist and sends people ahead to help them be ready.

I am convicted that I lack an eagerness to help and concerned at how hollow my faith can prove in so many areas.  I also lack a generosity that I once had.

God I ask you to soften my heart.  All that has been taken from me in the past two years has made me less and less willing to give of what I have left.  And yet even as I type this may attitude should be that what I have is yours...I'm not there yet.

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. ¹⁷ For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. ¹⁸ And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. ¹⁹ What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. ²⁰ We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. ²¹ For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
²² In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. ²³ As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. ²⁴ Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

As Paul is discussing the merits of Titus and an unnamed brother who has proved "zealous", there is only verse 16 that has pierced my heart today.  It was God who put the concern into the heart of Titus.

Dear God, my heart has been consumed by my own pleasure.  I need you to put a love for you in my heart.  I need you to put a love for someone other than me in my heart. 

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

New International Version (NIV)

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³ For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. ⁵ And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. ⁶ So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. ⁷ But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

⁸ I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
¹⁰ And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. ¹¹ Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. ¹² For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
¹³ Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. ¹⁴ At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, ¹⁵ as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

New Testament church giving is supposed to be motivated by love for fellow believers.  It's to be given joyfully for the benefit of others.  Our giving is in truth a test of the sincerity of our love.

I don't give what I should.  That needs to change. 

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

New International Version (NIV)

² Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. ³ I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. ⁴ I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Paul wronged, corrupted or exploited no one.  That is my goal as well.

⁵ For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. ⁶ But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

When down and harrased wait on God and he will lift me up.

⁸ Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹ yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹ See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. ¹² So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. ¹³ By all this we are encouraged.

The expression, "This is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you." has truth to it.  Confronting or correcting a bother that is in sin is not easy.  Just yesterday I had to speak to someone and I had a pit in my stomach that made me want to lose my diner.  

Done properly correction can bring about Godly sorrow which drives the recipient back to God and back to fellowship.

If I feel guilty about something and it keeps me from Christian fellowship and drives me from Bible study and prayer, that is not Godly sorrow.  That is guilt and condemnation that is either from myself or from Satan and his demons.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. ¹⁴ I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. ¹⁵ And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. ¹⁶ I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.

 Paul was delighted to see his spiritual children behave in the way he'd taught them.  It's no different for God in my life.  He takes delight in me following what I have been taught.

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.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. ⁶ The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. ⁷ Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
  ⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

When I was married we applied this principle to our children.  If she punished the children I would not do it again and vice versa.  If there was a major failure in my marriage on my part was not reaffirming my wife after a disagreement.

⁹ Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.

I'm imagining my Pastor saying "The reason I preached to you was to test that you would be obedient.  So when I come to visit next month we won't be confrontational."  What things in my room here would I put away if I were to host my pastor for a week or so?

  ¹⁰ Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹ in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

I think here Paul is trusting the judgement of the church at Corinth.  He's not going to approach the trouble makers and stir up more trouble.  So for me when something is over, I need to let it go and not allow Satan a tool to use against me.

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
¹² Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.  ¹³ For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, ¹⁴ as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Reading Paul's words here makes me think of how I treat people.  And not every interaction has left me with a clear conscience.  I am grateful that God had taught me about his grace that now it is easier for me to share it with others.

¹⁵ Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. ¹⁶ I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. ¹⁷ Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
¹⁸ But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” ²⁰ For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

I need to make sure my message is clear and that my message is what God would have me say.  God is not a flip flop politician who changes his mind depending on what the people want.

²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
²³ I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. ²⁴ Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. 2 ¹ So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. ² For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? ³ I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. ⁴ For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

Paul's previous letter had not been "fun" so he did not visit them right away.  He gave them time to work it out so that his next visit could be one of encouragement.  My time with my children is limited so when I have to discipline them I need to give them time to work it out with me "on their case".

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just yesterday Pastor Bernie and I prayed about my future.  I still don't have a full time job and I also don't have a specific ministry beyond the choir.  Here I see that Paul is fulfilling "the will of God".  Dear God please show me where you want me to work and where you want me to join you in ministry.

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

During the past two years I have turned to many things for comfort.  Food and all I got was fatter than I started.  Alcohol and all I got was scared of becoming and alcoholic.  Cigars and all I got was my limited income being burned.  God and what I got was peace and grace.  The grace to forgive my spouse for divorcing me and the grace to accept Christ's forgiveness for my part in the bad marriage.  I am free from bitterness (most of the time) and I have been able to help others with their pain.

 ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Everything Paul endured was for the sake of leading others to faith and encouraging and building up others in their faith.  I'm convicted of the times that I did not want to get up to go and teach Pioneer Club.  My focus was not on the children but on me.

⁸ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.

Paul and Timothy were under so much pressure they wanted to die. I know I've been there and I take comfort that Paul felt that way too.  I'm not broken or abnormal or bad Christian.

I also often hear 1 Cor 10:13 misused saying God is not going to give us more than we can handle.  That's only applies to temptation and he will provide a way out if we look for it.  In ministry and day to day life, God wants us to turn to Him for everything.  I don't know if I will have a job before April 18th.  I do know that God is in charge and I do not have to worry.

⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ¹⁰ He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, ¹¹ as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

My hope is in the same God that Paul's was.  The same God who raised Jesus from the dead.  I will trust Him to meet my needs.

God Bless.

1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16
Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. ² On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. ³ Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

When I get paid, I've been writing a check to give to the church.  It's the first thing I do.  Sometimes I struggle with giving because my income is so limited and there is so much I want to do with "my" money.  The percentage I give is between God and I, however I know that God knows why I hold back sometimes.  He is not fooled.

I also note that this money seems to be a special collection.  Over and above the normal giving because this is money to help others.  The phrase "men you approve" reminds me to be careful with whom I entrust my money.  Many charities today take vast chunks of every dollar given for "administration".

⁵ After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. ⁶ Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. ⁸ But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Sometimes I forget that much of the Bible is a collection of letters and not just an instruction manual.  I get to the "personal stuff" and don't think there is much I can glean from it.  Yet here we see Paul really yearning to see the people in Corinth and he does want it to be a quick visit.  He wants to spend time with them.  He was willing to leave it to God's will.

I think about what I do.  If I wanted to go visit my family in TN, I'd give no thought to what God wanted.  I'd get on a plane and go.  I'll admit I rarely consult God with my plans.

¹⁰ When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. ¹¹ No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

I'm thinking of  1Tim 4:12 where Timothy is encouraged to not let anyone look down on him because of his youth.  Anyone preaching God's word should be treated with respect.

¹² Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

Verses 13 and 14 are coming with me today.  I want to keep my guard up for the attacks of the devil, this world and my own fleshly desires.  I want to stand in my faith and cling to what I know is right.  I want to have courage in my faith.  Some times I'm just a wuss.  I want to be motivated by love.

¹⁵ You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹⁶ to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Here Paul is recognizing those who are doing it right.  I'm good at correcting and instructing, now I want to work on encouraging and acknowledging those who are doing it right.

God Bless.

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

1 Corinthians 15:35-58
³⁵ But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” ³⁶ How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. ³⁷ When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. ³⁹ Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. ⁴⁰ There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. ⁴¹ The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
⁴² So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; ⁴³ it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

We have a small idea of what our resurrected body will be like in what we read about Jesus after his resurrection. We will have a recognizable form.  We will be able to be touched.  We will eat.  These are all things that we know that Jesus did after he was raised to life.  To paraphrase verse 38, "Don't worry, God has got this."

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

Our physical being gets its life as a descendent of Adam.  Our spiritual being gets its life through what Jesus Christ did on the cross and being raised from the dead.

⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Oh that the trumpet would sound today and this imperfect body with its scoliosis and pinched nerve and hydrocephalus and blurry vision would be transformed into its perfect immortal body.  We have the hope of eternity with Christ in a perfect body.  But not everyone has that hope.  That is why we must, as verse 58 tells us, to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.  Tell others before it is too late.

God Bless.

1 Corinthians 15:12-34

1 Corinthians 15:12-34
¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

There were some sects in Jesus' day the were teaching there would not be a resurrection.  Paul is saying, without it then Christ himself has not been raised.

¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

Without Christ's resurrection, we have faith in nothing.

¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.

If there is no resurrection, the apostles are liars.

¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Not only would we be lost, but all those who have died believing in the coming messiah would have died in vain as well.

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Thank God that Jesus was raised and Paul proved that with his testimony about the 500 witnesses.

²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.  ²³ But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

Because Adam chose to disobey God, all of us who have followed have a sin nature and are spiritually dead.  Those who chose Christ will be made alive spiritually.
  
²⁴ Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. ²⁸ When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

God has given Jesus power over everything, but Jesus is still under the authority of God.  One day Jesus will give it all back to God.  I was asked recently why God does not just destroy his enemies now.  God is long suffering.  He wants to give EVERYONE as much time as possible to come to repentance. 

²⁹ Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?

I admit having to seek commentary on this.  Guess what.  Bible scholars have been debating this verse and even they disagree on it's meaning.  The best explanation I found is that Paul was refering to the PAGAN practice of being baptized for the dead.  As if Paul was saying to the people, "Even the pagan know there will be a resurrection from the dead."   Baptism for the dead was NOT a Christian practice in the church of Paul's day.

³⁰ And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? ³¹ I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”

Without the resurrection, Christians are wasting there lives by risking all for Christ and may as well join the world and party till they die.  Thank God for the resurrection.

³³ Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” ³⁴ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

It is we who are supposed to be effecting the world not the world effecting us.

God Bless.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. ² By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Some days we don't "feel" saved or like God even cares.  Some days we are bombarded by life and we no longer even care.  It is at these times that we hold to what is true.  We live by truth, not by emotions.   There are people all over the world who preach different paths to heaven.  Only the gospel is the truth and we must cling to it.
 
³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. ⁶ After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

How appropriate that we get to this portion of scripture as we get ready to remember Christ's crucifixion and to celebrate his rising from the dead.

In Jewish law all one need was two or there witnesses for something to be entered into court and be proven true.  Here the risen Jesus was seen by over 500 people.  His resurrection could easily be proven in a Jewish court.  In fact some of the witnesses to his resurrection were still living at the time of the writing of this letter. 

"Big deal.", you say.  "We can't talk to the witnesses today.".  That is true.  Who was the first president of the USA?  George Washington.  How do we know?  Because of the written testimony of those who were there.  The historical accuracy of the Bible has has been proven over and over.   Jesus did die and he did raise from the dead.

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. ¹¹ Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

Do you sometimes struggle with your past?  Here we see that even Paul did.  Yet by the grace of God and through His power Paul preached the gospel.  You and I can as well.

God Bless.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

1 Corinthians 14:26-40
²⁶ What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. ²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. ²⁸ If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

At this time the church is new.  The structure of how a service was to run had not yet been developed.  I'm not sure they even had specific pastors in each church yet, so everyone shared.  And being human, everyone wanted to share.  Which, even among those who were serving the Lord was devolving into chaos.  Our God is a God of order, so Paul is leaving instruction of how a gathering should be run.

²⁹ Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. ³⁰ And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. ³² The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. ³³ For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Each was to take their turn speaking and those gathered were to evaluate what was said.  When we are in a service we too need to evaluate what is being said.  Bible should be out and we should be weighing what the speaker is saying compared to what they are reading.

³⁴ Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. ³⁵ If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

The man is still the head of his home, how ever women being silent in church was a cultural thing along the same idea of the wearing of  head covering that we addressed several chapters ago. 

³⁶ Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸ But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.

Paul knew he was speaking the words of God.  Therefore those who agreed with his instructions were true prophets and those his did not were not.   This is THE test for us.  Does a person, preacher or pastor agree with what is written in the Bible.  If they do not we can dismiss what they have to say.

³⁹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

People who wish to speak should be given a chance.  My church does this very well.  If I had something I wanted to share, I would speak to my elders who would weigh what I had to say and see if it is appropriate for the entire church.  Then they would find a time that I could share with the congregation.

God Bless.