September 2, 2017
The apostle Paul quoted Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 49:8) concerning the time of salvation that the coming Messiah would bring to both Jew and Gentile alike. Paul declared to the Corinthians that the long awaited for time had come. Paul began both phrases of his application of Isaiah’s prophecy with “behold, now.” The word “behold” demanded that one “look” and “see” with an understanding mind. The word “now” called for a sense of urgency from the one who having understood the gospel, would quickly decide to believe it.
As the Ecclesiates reading for today states, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1). So today, we live in the “accepted time” of the gospel, yet let us not “receive the grace of God in vain.” Having heard the gospel, now is the time to accept it. Having accepted the gospel, now is the day to live it out and proclaim it.
August 30, 2017
The combined effect of having received both the “mercy” and the “ministry” of the gospel strengthened the apostle Paul, so that he did not “lose heart.” The same should cause us to persevere in sharing the gospel. For as Paul also wrote, God has “reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18).
August 29, 2017
The apostle Paul said that he did not need letters or “epistles” of commendation from the believers in Corinth because they were his living “epistles.” They were walking testaments of the gospel of Christ that was “ministered” to them through him. So, Christ was the author and Paul the amanuensis and the Holy Spirit the “ink” by which the gospel was written on their hearts. This is a beautiful picture of discipleship and its fruit.
You may say that you have not written any books, nor had any written about you. Yet, if you are involved in giving the gospel out to others, they have become your “epistles.” If you are involved in life on life discipleship, your disciples are your living legacy.
May 28, 2017
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2 Corinthians 12:7-10
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strength, weakness
The world makes heroes of the bold, the beautiful and the strong. Hollywood actors, professional athletes, self-promoting politicians… these are the ones that we elevate to power and influence. They receive glory and praise from the world. But that’s not how God works, He loves to take the humble, the small, and the weak and lift them up to such great influence that everyone gives glory, not to them, but to God.
Where do you feel weak today? Are you hurting? Some may feel tortured by physical or mental pain. Are you feeling inadequate? You don’t have enough money, or you feel inadequate as a parent, or you’ve been asked to do something that seems beyond you. Are you feeling overwhelmed by difficult circumstances? You’re unhappy and discontent. How can God take your weakness and turn it into strength?
September 18, 2016
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2 Corinthians 5:14-21
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community, discipleship
Why is there divorce, murder, and war? Why are we relationally broken? Our sin has separated us from God. We need to be relationally restored. We need to be reconciled to God and with others. In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he told them that God’s reconciling love should move them to be in right relationship with Him in our worship and in right relationship towards others in our witness. We too can let the reconciling love of God as expressed in Christ lead us to a right relationship with Him through worship and a right relationship to others in our witness.
September 13, 2016
This beautiful benediction closed Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s trinitarian blessing bestowed three powerful attributes of the Godhead upon the believers at Corinth. 1) The “grace” (χάρις – charis) of Jesus. Which is Christ’s free and unmerited favor. 2) The “love” (ἀγάπη – agape) of God. Which is God’s unconditional love and chief attribute. 3) The “fellowship” (κοινωνία – koinonia) of the Spirit. Which is the abiding communion of the Spirit living in those of us who believe. May this threefold blessing be yours today!
September 8, 2016
Apparently, there were leaders in Corinth who were boasting of superior authority over the apostle Paul in his absence. Some accused him of being bold in writing, but timid in person and in speech (2 Cor. 10:10). Yet, Paul was the one who had first carried the gospel to Corinth. He warned against those who boasted in themselves. They may be more impressive in stature and superior in speech, but it was the Lord who had given the Corinthians Paul as their spiritual father. Instead, the “one who boasts,” should “boast in the Lord.” Here, Paul offered a summary of Jeremiah 9:23-24 to show that such self-commendation was unwise. The only boasting a Christ follower should do, is boasting about Christ. Whatever you are, whatever you have, whatever accomplishments or successes that have accrued to you… give the glory to the Lord. Boast in Jesus, not in yourself.
September 5, 2016
The example of Christ’s generosity should inspire and empower our own. He took on the poverty of our separation, sin and death, that we might receive the riches of His sonship, righteousness and eternal life. Having received this grace of Christ, we also have received His generous character. We can live the life of the open hand, one hand open to God receiving, the other hand open to others giving. As Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).
September 1, 2016
Christianity is not self-improvement. It is an invitation to come and die, that we might be born again. It is not incremental nor partial, but drastic and total. By believing and receiving Christ, we are found in Him. Our old nature we count crucified with Christ. Our new nature and identity in Christ, we count as risen with Him. And so, we no longer “regard” anyone according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. In Christ, we are a “new creation,” and we regard everyone and everything in a new way.
August 29, 2016
The Spirit is both “of the Lord” and is the Lord. This is the paradox of the Trinity. So, the one who turns to the Lord has indeed turned to the Spirit. And where the Spirit is, “there is freedom.” Freedom from what, to do what? Certainly not freedom to do whatever we want. This would not be freedom, but slavery to the very sinful flesh which already rules human hearts. No, the one who turns to the Lord has been set free from the letter of the law that kills, to the Spirit which gives life (2 Cor. 3:6). And they have been given the freedom to understand and follow the Word of God according to the Spirit’s wisdom and power. This is true freedom. The bonds of condemnation are removed from our wrists and the veil that blinds us to spiritual understanding is removed from our eyes. We are free to no longer be slaves, but children of God.