"For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God. For this reason we have been comforted.
And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth. His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you".
2 Corinthians 7:5-16
Here is the impetus for this 2nd letter to the Corinthians. Paul has finally connected with Titus and has been informed of the community's response to Paul's teachings...and his first letter.
Possibly the most important lesson in this passage is the reminder that the truths of the Gospel do not always go down easy. Many of these truths are difficult to teach and just as difficult to receive. Paul understood this and it caused him a great deal of unrest while he waited to hear from Titus.
But...these truths need to be told.
Like "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father except through me" (John 14:6). Or..."all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). And..."unless you repent, you will perish" (Luke 13:3).
Harsh words, very exclusive. In fact...a bit too elitist for some people to accept. Many of us would prefer to "tone down the rhetoric" because it's too confrontational.
It's a risk Paul was willing to take although it hurt him to cause sorrow in the Corinthian church. Yet, he says "I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance...for the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation". What is the probability that Paul's preaching would have produced repentance (and salvation) if he had "soft-pedaled" the truth?
Exactly...
So we should remind ourselves that standing on the claims of Christ can be difficult...and cost us friends. Yet, it's the only way we know for certain that people can be given the opportunity to enjoy an eternal relationship with God.
Live boldly out there today...
March 12, 2016
March 11, 2016
2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4
"Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you. “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction". 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4
So, how can we effectively love Christ?
"Paul offers advice in today's passage. He speaks as a Spiritual Father’s appealing to his children (I speak as to children). His first recommendation? "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?"
Why? Because unbelievers don't worship God...they worship the idols of this world: money, influence, pleasure...all things intended to gratify ourselves rather than please God. "For what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God".
Do we love God? We will know by the relationships we cultivate. So many Christians live ineffectual lives simply because they cannot separate themselves from the peoples (and idols) of this world. I emphasize, again, trusting Christ alone is enough to secure our eternal destiny. It is not enough to be a change agent for the people around us. That requires a love for God that compels our actions and attitudes.
When Paul quotes the Old Testament...COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” and "DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN" he is implying two things:
1. We have a human inability to withstand the temptations of this world.
2. When we partake in the evils of this world we force God to participate...since His Spirit lives within us.
So...if we love Christ...we may believe we are strong enough to slop around with the pigs without getting dirty but...do we really want to force God to participate?
Let's let our love for Christ show. Let's apply this challenge to our daily lives..."let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God". It doesn't benefit us eternally but it sure may benefit our neighbor when he/she recognizes who we really represent. And...that's the surest sign that we love Him.
Live boldly out there today...
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you. “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction". 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4
So, how can we effectively love Christ?
"Paul offers advice in today's passage. He speaks as a Spiritual Father’s appealing to his children (I speak as to children). His first recommendation? "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?"
Why? Because unbelievers don't worship God...they worship the idols of this world: money, influence, pleasure...all things intended to gratify ourselves rather than please God. "For what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God".
Do we love God? We will know by the relationships we cultivate. So many Christians live ineffectual lives simply because they cannot separate themselves from the peoples (and idols) of this world. I emphasize, again, trusting Christ alone is enough to secure our eternal destiny. It is not enough to be a change agent for the people around us. That requires a love for God that compels our actions and attitudes.
When Paul quotes the Old Testament...COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” and "DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN" he is implying two things:
1. We have a human inability to withstand the temptations of this world.
2. When we partake in the evils of this world we force God to participate...since His Spirit lives within us.
So...if we love Christ...we may believe we are strong enough to slop around with the pigs without getting dirty but...do we really want to force God to participate?
Let's let our love for Christ show. Let's apply this challenge to our daily lives..."let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God". It doesn't benefit us eternally but it sure may benefit our neighbor when he/she recognizes who we really represent. And...that's the surest sign that we love Him.
Live boldly out there today...
March 10, 2016
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10
"Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says,
“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,
AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.”
Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—
giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things".
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10
What comes first...the chicken, or the egg?
Or, more relevant to this discussion, do we come to Christ because we love Him (and then learn to trust Him)...or do we trust Him (and, then learn to love Him)?
It's not just an academic question...and it's important in understanding our Christian life.
We generally come to Christ is a way similar to the first step in the AA program. We recognize our lives have become unmanageable and only a power greater than us make things right. We have run out of hope so we feebly trust Christ. We aren't certain what to expect but we trust He will forgive our sins and restore us to a good relationship with God.
That would be enough...but there's more.
We begin to notice that the obstructive veil clouding our ability to comprehend God's word is gone and we understand the merciful teachings in scripture. As Paul said. "whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (3:16).
We also recognize a power within us explained only by the intimate presence of God's Spirit within us. In fact, Paul proclaimed "He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge". (5:5). It is such a transformation that Paul expresses, in today's passage,
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (5:17). We literally are no longer the people we were.
Finally...knowing we have ?this Spirit within us..."we also believe...that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also". (4:14)
Eternal life...we live forever!
I think this is when we really begin to love God. And, what should that look like? Paul tells us we become evangelists. "Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men...for the love of Christ controls us". After all, when Christ has done all this for us, how could we not encourage others to receive the same gracious blessings?
We become "ambassadors for Christ" which, in simple terms, means our lives no longer represent our personal needs and desires but we represent Christ.
All because we love Him...in response to what He's done for us.
I wonder...do we look like Christ? As the old 70's slogan asked..."if we were accused of being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict us?" The answer will let us know if we've learned to "love" our Lord or if we're still only trusting Him.
Trust is enough but...its not all our salvation is intended to accomplish.
Live boldly out there today...
Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says,
“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,
AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.”
Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—
giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things".
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10
What comes first...the chicken, or the egg?
Or, more relevant to this discussion, do we come to Christ because we love Him (and then learn to trust Him)...or do we trust Him (and, then learn to love Him)?
It's not just an academic question...and it's important in understanding our Christian life.
We generally come to Christ is a way similar to the first step in the AA program. We recognize our lives have become unmanageable and only a power greater than us make things right. We have run out of hope so we feebly trust Christ. We aren't certain what to expect but we trust He will forgive our sins and restore us to a good relationship with God.
That would be enough...but there's more.
We begin to notice that the obstructive veil clouding our ability to comprehend God's word is gone and we understand the merciful teachings in scripture. As Paul said. "whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (3:16).
We also recognize a power within us explained only by the intimate presence of God's Spirit within us. In fact, Paul proclaimed "He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge". (5:5). It is such a transformation that Paul expresses, in today's passage,
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (5:17). We literally are no longer the people we were.
Finally...knowing we have ?this Spirit within us..."we also believe...that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also". (4:14)
Eternal life...we live forever!
I think this is when we really begin to love God. And, what should that look like? Paul tells us we become evangelists. "Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men...for the love of Christ controls us". After all, when Christ has done all this for us, how could we not encourage others to receive the same gracious blessings?
We become "ambassadors for Christ" which, in simple terms, means our lives no longer represent our personal needs and desires but we represent Christ.
All because we love Him...in response to what He's done for us.
I wonder...do we look like Christ? As the old 70's slogan asked..."if we were accused of being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict us?" The answer will let us know if we've learned to "love" our Lord or if we're still only trusting Him.
Trust is enough but...its not all our salvation is intended to accomplish.
Live boldly out there today...
March 9, 2016
2 Corinthians 4:16b-5:10
"But though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight— we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad". 2 Corinthians 4:16b-5:10
Nobody gets out alive...
We all know this. Christians don't get to escape the inevitable simply because we have eternal life...we still die.
Of course, that makes no sense...in human terms. How can we die if we have eternal life? Paul tells us the prospect of death means something entirely different for the Christian than what it means for the rest of the world.
When God put His Spirit within us he built something entirely new...a tabernacle in which His Spirit might dwell and it is indestructible. Now, you might ask, where is this tabernacle and how can I recognize it?
God's Spirit dwells with our human spirit...transforming it. Our spirit cannot be located. It cannot be found by an MRI or an X-ray. It's that metaphysical part of our being that is not governed by the physical. Yet...we all have an intimate awareness of our spirit and we can immediately identify it as the core of our being. It is the part of us that thinks, desires and feels. It is the part of us that is uniquely us...like a snowflake. It is the part of us that we love (or, hate) the most. And, it is the part that God loves.
Flesh and bone...really? I'm short and old. I'm not all that attached...
But my spirit? I can't begin to explain how important it is to me. In fact...it "is" me. And, I marvel at what God's Spirit has done for my Spirit since He moved in. It's a miracle!
And when these old bones lay down to die...my spirit...with the help of God's Spirit will be transported to the very presence of God Almighty where I will live forever...with a spirit that has become everything I've always hoped: pure emotions, pure intentions and pure desires.
I won't miss the bones...
Here is the question today: How will your neighbor, or your loved one, find the dwelling place of God if God's Spirit isn't living within them to escort them?
We can't make them believe it. Only God can lift the veil from their eyes. But...we can show them the treasure inside.
Live boldly out there today...
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight— we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad". 2 Corinthians 4:16b-5:10
Nobody gets out alive...
We all know this. Christians don't get to escape the inevitable simply because we have eternal life...we still die.
Of course, that makes no sense...in human terms. How can we die if we have eternal life? Paul tells us the prospect of death means something entirely different for the Christian than what it means for the rest of the world.
When God put His Spirit within us he built something entirely new...a tabernacle in which His Spirit might dwell and it is indestructible. Now, you might ask, where is this tabernacle and how can I recognize it?
God's Spirit dwells with our human spirit...transforming it. Our spirit cannot be located. It cannot be found by an MRI or an X-ray. It's that metaphysical part of our being that is not governed by the physical. Yet...we all have an intimate awareness of our spirit and we can immediately identify it as the core of our being. It is the part of us that thinks, desires and feels. It is the part of us that is uniquely us...like a snowflake. It is the part of us that we love (or, hate) the most. And, it is the part that God loves.
Flesh and bone...really? I'm short and old. I'm not all that attached...
But my spirit? I can't begin to explain how important it is to me. In fact...it "is" me. And, I marvel at what God's Spirit has done for my Spirit since He moved in. It's a miracle!
And when these old bones lay down to die...my spirit...with the help of God's Spirit will be transported to the very presence of God Almighty where I will live forever...with a spirit that has become everything I've always hoped: pure emotions, pure intentions and pure desires.
I won't miss the bones...
Here is the question today: How will your neighbor, or your loved one, find the dwelling place of God if God's Spirit isn't living within them to escort them?
We can't make them believe it. Only God can lift the veil from their eyes. But...we can show them the treasure inside.
Live boldly out there today...
March 8, 2016
2 Corinthians 4:7-16a
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.
But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.Therefore we do not lose heart". 2 Corinthians 4:7-16a
What would you think if you stumbled upon a clay pot (in your wanderings) and when you opened it, it was filled with a hundred and fifty pounds of Gold?...about the weight of one person. That's nearly a million and a half dollars. It would change your life. I'd have to wonder: Why would somebody put all this treasure in a clay pot?
Not very secure...
Yesterday we learned that, by the grace of God, somehow the obscurity of the Bible was lifted...as though a veil was removed from our eyes. Miraculously, we began to read God's Word and it made sense.
Paul says this is like a treasure in an clay pot...
But, it's more secure than we think. The life of a believer is indestructible even though a lot goes on that makes us vulnerable. We are afflicted but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; This is counterintuitive. A treasure like the presence of God's Spirit within us ought to bring a life of victory and joy...if we could just buy it.
Unless, of course, God has another plan...
Apparently the affliction, despair and persecution are given to us as a reminder of the death of Christ...the price for our redemption. Yet our perseverance is every bit as much a reminder of the eternal life of Christ. Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body
So, as believers we are very different than our neighbors. We look the same...flesh and bone...but inside we have a priceless treasure that sustains us for all eternity. Here's the question: Have we let anybody take a look inside...at our treasure? Or, are we keeping it hidden for ourselves? It appears God prefers we humbly show it off so others may aspire to the same miracle we experienced.
Live boldly out there today...
But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.Therefore we do not lose heart". 2 Corinthians 4:7-16a
What would you think if you stumbled upon a clay pot (in your wanderings) and when you opened it, it was filled with a hundred and fifty pounds of Gold?...about the weight of one person. That's nearly a million and a half dollars. It would change your life. I'd have to wonder: Why would somebody put all this treasure in a clay pot?
Not very secure...
Yesterday we learned that, by the grace of God, somehow the obscurity of the Bible was lifted...as though a veil was removed from our eyes. Miraculously, we began to read God's Word and it made sense.
Paul says this is like a treasure in an clay pot...
But, it's more secure than we think. The life of a believer is indestructible even though a lot goes on that makes us vulnerable. We are afflicted but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; This is counterintuitive. A treasure like the presence of God's Spirit within us ought to bring a life of victory and joy...if we could just buy it.
Unless, of course, God has another plan...
Apparently the affliction, despair and persecution are given to us as a reminder of the death of Christ...the price for our redemption. Yet our perseverance is every bit as much a reminder of the eternal life of Christ. Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body
So, as believers we are very different than our neighbors. We look the same...flesh and bone...but inside we have a priceless treasure that sustains us for all eternity. Here's the question: Have we let anybody take a look inside...at our treasure? Or, are we keeping it hidden for ourselves? It appears God prefers we humbly show it off so others may aspire to the same miracle we experienced.
Live boldly out there today...
March 7, 2016
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6
Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6
The great mystery for Christians is...why so many people seem unmoved by the claims of Christ and unconvinced of the authority of sacred scriptures. Paul addresses this question in today's passage.
We can follow the history of God working with mankind all the way back to Moses and discover things haven't changed. There is something that blocks the ability to trust, and believe, the testimony of God. Paul called it a veil. Whatever we might call it, it is something that inhibits our ability to communion with God.
Let's just call it sin...
Sin fractured our spiritual DNA, as originally fashioned by God, so we no longer have the ability to respond to God with pure hearts. When that happened, all of us born after the fact were born with this fractured DNA...separated from God. We have become naturally skeptical. We question everything that doesn't fit our personal sense of logic. We have, in fact, traded places with God. We have become the arbiters of truth rather than God. Paul says until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. In other words, if we are having difficulty comprehending God's Word and following Him faithfully, it's because we have not allowed Christ to remove that veil of sin.
We all have unbelieving friends. Our prayer for them should be simple: "Lord, please remove the veil of sin so my friend can recognize your son clearly and accept Him" When we make it any more complicated than that...we make it confusing.
Remember when Paul said our lives are letters? Here's a question: Does you letter incline others to move toward Christ...or away from Him?
Live boldly out there today...
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6
The great mystery for Christians is...why so many people seem unmoved by the claims of Christ and unconvinced of the authority of sacred scriptures. Paul addresses this question in today's passage.
We can follow the history of God working with mankind all the way back to Moses and discover things haven't changed. There is something that blocks the ability to trust, and believe, the testimony of God. Paul called it a veil. Whatever we might call it, it is something that inhibits our ability to communion with God.
Let's just call it sin...
Sin fractured our spiritual DNA, as originally fashioned by God, so we no longer have the ability to respond to God with pure hearts. When that happened, all of us born after the fact were born with this fractured DNA...separated from God. We have become naturally skeptical. We question everything that doesn't fit our personal sense of logic. We have, in fact, traded places with God. We have become the arbiters of truth rather than God. Paul says until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. In other words, if we are having difficulty comprehending God's Word and following Him faithfully, it's because we have not allowed Christ to remove that veil of sin.
We all have unbelieving friends. Our prayer for them should be simple: "Lord, please remove the veil of sin so my friend can recognize your son clearly and accept Him" When we make it any more complicated than that...we make it confusing.
Remember when Paul said our lives are letters? Here's a question: Does you letter incline others to move toward Christ...or away from Him?
Live boldly out there today...
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