2 Corinthians 10-11 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 10:1-11:33.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).

I need to read this every day. How easily I want to boast in me. I preached a sermon. I wrote a post. I put together some class material. I led a study. I baptized someone. I, I, I, I, I. Me, me, me, me, me. Someone complimented a sermon or class. Someone told me a blog post meant something to them. My head begins to swell, I start checking my stats. I start thinking I’m something.

God? Who is God?

Of course, I would never say that out loud. I would never even consciously think that. Instead, I would just not consciously think about God and His involvement. I just sometimes tacitly forget about God in my fervor to make sure you’ve heard about me. Have I told you about me yet? I’m pretty cool.

But then I remember that I am nothing. I think about where I’ve actually ended up when I was doing things my way and on my own. It wasn’t pretty. Anything I may accomplish for good is totally and completely by the grace of God. If I preach a sermon, it is because God gave the opportunity. If I actually say something meaningful and helpful, it is because God granted the words. If I get to baptize someone, it is because God caused the growth. I’m just a servant. I just go where I’m told and do what God says. Have I told you about God yet? He’s pretty cool.

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Add your input by clicking the following link: Post a Comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

2 Corinthians 8-9 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15.

“For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints–” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4).

What a powerful example. Outward compliance is one thing. This shows inward motivation.

This is what I need to have and instill in others. The Macedonians did not give because Paul convinced them it was a rule to give. They begged for the opportunity to take part in this. They saw obedience and sacrifice as an opportunity, a favor. They saw it as grace itself.

Too often I spend trying to figure out what the rules are to decide what I’m going to do or to manipulate others into doing what I think they should. But then what is accomplished? Simply a controlled compliance that is useless to our souls. I’m not saying there are no rules, but if we are only doing something because it is the rule, then our hearts are not right with God.

I need to thank God today for the favor of getting to serve and sacrifice for Him. He is the great and loving God who saved my soul, why would I want to do anything else?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can add your input by clicking the following link: Post a Comment

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

2 Corinthians 6-7 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 6:1-7:16.

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever. What agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16a).

Do not over-simplify this passage by trying to make it about marriage or business partnerships between Christians and non-Christians. That isn’t what it is about at all. In fact, if it were about marriage, then it contradicts what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16. In that passage, he tells believing spouses not to leave unbelieving spouses. If this one is about marriage, he tells the believing spouse to “go out from their midst” in 2 Corinthians 6:17. God’s Word doesn’t contradict itself.

What then is Paul’s point? Notice the bookends of this section. In 2 Corinthians 6:13, “In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.” And then in 2 Corinthians 7:2, “Make room in your hearts for us.” This last half of the letter is Paul’s warning that some of these Christians have jumped out of the frying pan only to land in the fire. That is, they have left their idolatry to become Christians but now that they are Christians, they are following false teachers that are leading them back into idolatry. They are following false apostles. Paul is pointing out that the Corinthians need to keep their hearts open to Paul and the true apostles instead of following those who will lead them back into their fleshly passions.

2 Corinthians 10-12 are filled with this same sentiment. Notice especially, 2 Corinthians 11:12-15; 12:11-13.

So what does this passage have to do with me today? It means I need to open my heart to what Paul and the true apostles who were the conduits of the Holy Spirit’s revelation. I must not simply follow after any and every teacher who says something I may like to hear or who encourages me down the paths of my least resistance. They have opened their hearts to us, let’s make room for them in our hearts as well.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click here to add your input.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

II Corinthians 2-3 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 2:1-3:18.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

WOW! How awesome. The Old Law was great. It was glorious. So glorious in fact, that Moses had to wear a veil before the people after God had revealed Himself and given the Law. But we are part of something even more glorious. Here is why it is more glorious.

1. Only Moses was part of the glory under the Old Law. “We all” are beholding the glory of the Lord now.

2. The glory of the Old Law was fading away. In fact, Paul claims the reason Moses wore a veil was not to mute the reflection of God’s glory but to hide the fact that it was diminishing. We are part of a permanent glory. The glory of the Spirit’s ministry is about righteousness and will not fade.

3. We are not just taking part in something that is glorious, we are being glorified. The ministry of the Law couldn’t change us; it could only condemn us. But this ministry of the Spirit is actually transforming us step by step until we get to that final glory to be revealed to us in eternity (cf. Romans 8:18).

I’m totally stoked today to know that the Holy Spirit is working to take me from glory to glory. I think today, I’ll stick with God and just do what He says so I can be part of that glory.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Add your input by clicking the following link: Click Here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 6:1-7:16.

“…We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:8-10).

What great contrasts. People accused Paul of being an imposter, belittled him as unknown, threatened him with death and punishment, pitied him as sorrowful, mocked him as poor and having nothing. Yet, in reality he was a true apostle of God; he was well known to God and God’s people; he was alive and not killed; he was full of rejoicing in Christ; he was blessed with spiritual riches and in Christ possessed everything he wanted and needed.

I take comfort in knowing I am not what the world thinks of me. I am not what false brethren think of me. I am not what anyone thinks of me. I am only what God thinks of me. When I am in Christ, God think very much of me. I can take comfort today knowing that the world me see me as poor, powerless, penniless, and pitiful. In Christ I am rich, influential, wealthy, and to be envied. Of course, this is not because of me, but because of Jesus.

I don’t have to be concerned what the world thinks. I’m doing okay for myself because I’m in Jesus Christ.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:21.

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).

So often I’m filled with fear about my physical future. My mom died at 35 because of heart issues. My dad died at 49 because of pancreatic cancer. My father-in-law died at about 60 because of mesothelioma. With that kind of stuff going on around me I can easily begin to think, I’m next. My body can be easily ravaged by disease. Within the past two months, I’ve heard of two young people, children of brethren I know killed in car wrecks. As a friend of mine says, we are only seperated from death by a thin yellow line.

But Paul says I have no need to fear. Why? Because I won’t die? No. Because if this earthly tent is destroyed, I have a much better house prepared for me. No, this isn’t talking about a mansion over the hilltop in heaven (a scripturally suspect idea). This is talking about the body God has prepared for my eternity. I don’t fully understand what it is going to be. But I do get that what I have now is only a tent, but what I’ll have then is a house, a heavenly dwelling.

Sure, there are things that bother me about dying, like no more time with my family. But I look forward to eternity with them. What is there to fear, I have a house to look forward to once this tent is destroyed.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; 2 Corinthians 1:1-24.

“For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits” (1 Corinthians 16:7).

How often I forget the Lord in my plans. How often I want to figure out how my future is going to work out, what I’m going to do, what plans will be in place without taking the Lord into consideration. When I act like that, my plans fall flat. My life goes exceedingly better when I live by the Lord’s permission. When I recognize that I can go here and there, accomplish this and that only if the Lord wills, my life runs smoother, if only because I recognize a stronger and better hand is leading it. When I remember in my praying to seek His will above mine, to ask not simply for what I want but that God will give me the strength to accept and respond appropriately when He gives me what He wants, my life is more peaceful, if only because I have prepared the way to accept what comes from God’s hand instead of expecting God’s gifts to be what I want.

If the Lord permits. That will be my motto today. And if the Lord permits, we’ll read and comment on more of His word on Monday.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 10:1-11:33.

Lately, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 has been very pointed to me: 

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

We all know this means we don’t take up arms against non-Christians or Christian with whom we disagree. Rather, we take the gospel of Jesus to them. We persuade with the grace and gospel of Jesus, not the force of weapons. Yet, today, it seems that many Christians are neglecting part of this passage. They think that there is one fleshly warfare that is part of our lives. Those who have followed some of my other writings know exactly where I’m going with this. 

It seems today that the new battlefield is no longer the spiritual realm, fighting against the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers over this present darkness, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12), but the political realm fighting against policy we don’t like. It is as if Christians are beginning to think the way to spread God’s gospel is to legislate it through our nation’s policies. 

Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world. If it were, His citizens would stand up and fight (John 18:36). Yet some Christians seem to be intent on denying what Jesus said as if the United States of America is God’s kingdom in this world. It is not. It never has been. It never will be no matter what our laws say. 

God has not asked us to take up political arms to spread His will. He’s asked us to take His gospel to our neighbor, loving them enough to talk to them about His grace and salvation in His name through His Son. If we do that, then it won’t matter what our national policies and laws are, we’ll have helped another person surrender to God and live by His will. Who cares what the nation’s laws are if we can convince individuals to live by God’s will? On the other hand, who cares what the nation’s laws are if we don’t convince people to live by God’s will? Have we accomplished any good if we get abortion and homosexuality outlawed but our neighbors are still practicing them?

Let’s not wage the war according to the flesh today. Instead, let’s ask for opportunities to share God’s gospel with someone. 

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:21.

I was struck by 2 Corinthians 5:18. “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” Then 2 Corinthians 5:19 says God entrusted us with “the message of reconciliation.”

To hear some Christians today, you might get confused and think the Bible message is one of condemnation. But that wasn’t Paul’s focus. Paul’s focus was reconciliation. Certainly, the scripture condemns sin and says those who remain impenitently in sin will be condemned, but the message of the Gospel is not about all the sins for which we’ll be condemned. Rather, it is the message of Jesus through whom we can find forgiveness, reconciliation and the strength to overcome our sins.

I want to focus on that today. The message of the Old Covenant was condemnation. The Old Testament condemned everyone under sin (Galatians 3:22). Our message is that of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. The fact is most of us know we stand condemned. We need to hear how we can be reconciled.

Jesus is the way for that.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 2:1-3:18.

Paul said, “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5). 

This verse hit me like a ton of bricks. One of my great struggles is never believing that I’m good enough. After years of being trained that accidents don’t happen, mistakes only come to those who don’t pay attention, and perfection seems to be the only level of good enough, I really struggle with that. Because I do have accidents. I do make mistakes. I’m a long way from perfect.

I constantly beat myself up for not being a good enough person, good enough Christian, good enough husband, good enough father, etc. The struggle for me is that in trying to be good enough, I was still trying to find my sufficiency in me. Maybe if I just try a little harder, I can be sufficient or adequate. Maybe then I’ll be good enough.

Now please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying that I’m good enough as I am so I don’t have to worry about growing or doing better. What I am saying is being good enough is not going to come from be. If I want to be sufficient, adequate, good enough, I have to quit trying harder and simply surrender myself to God and His will. My sufficiency needs to come from Him. Further, I need to quit trying to gain my sufficiency from other people. That is, I need to quit trying to impress other people so they’ll say I’m good enough and I need to quit trying to push others down so I can feel good enough in comparison. My sufficiency won’t come from either of those sources. 

Sufficiency won’t come from me. It won’t come from other people. It will only come from God. Therefore, for today, I need to put my hand in His and let Him make me good enough by His will.

***Question: How do you find sufficiency in God?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC