Today’s Reading: Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 97

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes — the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how GOD MAKES US RIGHT IN HIS SIGHT. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” – Romans 1:16-17

GOD MAKES US RIGHT IN HIS SIGHT BY FAITH.

Just as God can make our circumstances right when everything around us is going wrong, He can also make us right in His sight. This truth goes beyond the guilt of our unrighteousness and the inadequacy of our self-righteousness. This is the theme of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome.

As we saw in Acts and see again in Romans 1:8-15, Paul had a strong desire to go to Rome. He knew the gospel had reached Rome (probably when the Jewish believers were scattered following Pentecost), and he longed to go there to bring them some spiritual gift that would help them to grow strong in the Lord (1:11), to encourage their faith (1:12), and to work among them for the sake of seeing spiritual fruit (1:13). Paul desired to preach the Good News in Rome, but this letter would explain the gospel to those who were new to the faith until Paul could be there in person.

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours…I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit…I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. – Romans 1:10-15

God knew of Paul’s desire and promised Paul he would make it to Rome. Paul’s intention was to head for Rome but first he had to stop by Jerusalem to drop off the gifts he had received from the Gentiles. What Paul did not know when he wrote this letter is that he would be arrested in Jerusalem and personally escorted to Rome in chains. God’s promise would be fulfilled but not in the way Paul expected. Let’s spend the next two weeks diving into this letter Paul sent the Romans before he was arrested.

The believers in Rome had come to faith in Jesus Christ, which had set them free from the bondage of their sin. But now what? Paul’s goal with this letter was to explain the gospel to the Romans so that they would know how to live now that they belong to Christ Jesus. Paul started his letter by introducing himself, not for the sake of them knowing him but for the purpose of the Roman believers seeing who they are in Christ.

GOD GIVES EACH OF US IDENTITY & PURPOSE.

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News…Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. – Romans 1:1,5-7

Paul starts out saying — this is MY identity and this is MY purpose. He goes on to say — this is YOUR identity and YOUR purpose. You have been called! You belong to Jesus! You are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people, set apart and consecrated for His purposes. Your identity isn’t about who YOU are but about who HE is. Your purpose in life isn’t about YOU but about HIM.

IT’S NOT ABOUT OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OR SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT ABOUT GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The world around us wants to identify us by our messes and mistakes, by our storms and shipwrecks. But when we encounter Jesus, when we come to accept Him by faith, our identity changes. It is no longer about our unrighteousness, nor is it about our self-righteousness; it is now about HIS righteousness. When God makes us right in His sight, our identity changes and our purpose changes. And, praise God, our destiny changes as well!

WHAT ARE YOU LETTING DEFINE YOU?

In what ways have I allowed the world to identify me? Do I find my self-worth in all of the mistakes I have made, defining myself by the trail of debris left by the storms in my past? If so, God is calling me to find my identity and my purpose in Him. It is not about my unrighteousness or about my failed attempts to be righteous of my own strength, but about HIS righteousness being produced in me. God makes me right in His sight! Therefore, I choose to find my identity and my purpose in Him!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 10-13

Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with Christian love. – 2 Corinthians 13:11b-12

This is how Paul ends his second letter to the Church in Corinth. It is a pretty soft ending for what was a very strong letter. In humility, Paul highlighted what could be seen as weaknesses to his ministry. But in strength, Paul came down hard on the church for accepting the message of false teaching and for continuing to live a life of sin instead of holiness. He was tired of Christians using the excuse that they are too weak to overcome their sinful tendencies. He wanted them instead to rely on Christ’s strength to be all he was calling them to be.

STOP FOCUSING ON YOUR OWN WEAKNESSES AND RELY ON CHRIST’S STRENGTHS.

Paul compares weakness with strength over and over again in this letter. Christ may have seemed weak by submitting to the cross but His resurrection showed just how powerful He was! We, too, experience difficult situations that show our human weakness but, in that weakness, the strength of God can be evident and God can be glorified.

Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power…We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature…For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down. – 2 Corinthians 13:3b-4,9,10b

Even when Paul is showing the strength of his ministry in this letter, he is showing how that strength came from God and His weapons. His strength is in regards to spiritual warfare, not human abilities or man-made strategies.

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. – 2 Corinthians 11:30

If I want to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

GOD TAKES OUR WEAKNESSES AND DEMONSTRATES HIS STRENGTH.

Paul was faithfully serving God yet he experienced more hard times than any of us will ever know. But God did not abandon Paul, nor did his hardships lessen his ability to serve God or weaken his testimony. No, for it showed the strength of the God who rescued him over and over again. The power of God was demonstrated each time Paul got up again and continued to do what God had called him to do instead of giving up or avoiding the possibility of another persecution down the road.

Paul stated that everything he had gone through was to show the strength of God in order that the believers could be strengthened, so they could choose righteousness instead of sin. Paul showed them they serve a strong God who is able to help believers overcome temptations and the urgings of the sinful nature, yet he continued to hear of the church’s “quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior” (2 Corinthians 12:20). We serve an awesome God who is able to take our weaknesses and demonstrate strength! When we submit to God and let Him do a work in our hearts, His power is displayed rather than our weaknesses.

“MY GRACE IS ALL YOU NEED. MY POWER WORKS BEST IN WEAKNESS.”

Grace is not an excuse to keep on sinning but rather the only way we can overcome our sinful nature and demonstrate the power of God to help us not to sin. May others look at us and see God’s power at work in our lives. May they see maturity instead of sinful attitudes, harmony instead of quarreling, grace instead of gossip. May our lives display the evidence of the Trinity at work in our lives.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. – 2 Corinthians 13:14

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 8 – 9; Psalm 37

GOD ENCOURAGES US THROUGH THE PRESENCE OF OTHER BELIEVERS.

When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. – 2 Corinthians 7:5-7a

I love how God uses our brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage us when we are going through difficult times! Our God is the God of encouragement. God is the one who knows when we are discouraged and who sends people into our lives to bring us joy, good news and encouragement. In his letter, Titus has gone to the Church to encourage them to be generous with others.

GOD ENCOURAGES US THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF OTHER BELIEVERS.

Since you excel in so many ways – in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us – I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

In the last decade, the ministry I lead (Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center) has opened two more pregnancy centers, as well as three residential programs. We started a mobile clinic that is currently serving Logansport (Indiana), as well as a chapter of the Deeper Still ministry to men and women who are post-abortive. We added to our services STI testing as well as abortion pill reversal. We increased our care of those grieving a loss through our Willow Story program. So many people have given of their time and money to make a difference in the lives of others. What a blessing it has been to serve alongside these faithful supporters. But we are not done. There is still so much to do in order to make a difference in the lives of those facing a pregnancy decision. This Scripture both encourages me and challenges me this morning.

Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. – 2 Corinthians 8:11

GOD ENCOURAGES US TO BE PRESENT FOR AND GENEROUS TOWARDS OTHERS.

The third form of encouragement Paul gives is to remind the Church of God’s provision for our needs, as well as His generosity in giving us enough to share with others. God is the One who supplies what we need and He will supply what He is asking us to give. The result of God’s provision and my response is that God will be glorified! God’s gifts are indescribable!

Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving – the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! – 2 Corinthians 9:6-14

GOD PROVIDES US WITH WHAT WE NEED TO BE GENEROUS TOWARD OTHERS.

Lord, thank you for the reminder this morning that you are the One who supplies what I need and you will supply what you are asking me to give. May you be glorified through the evidence of your generous provision in my life, as well as through my response to your generosity. Thank you for the encouragement I receive from you and from those you have placed in my life. May I be an encouragement to someone else today. Lord, your gifts are indescribable and my heart is encouraged today! Thank you for pointing my heart back to all I have to be thankful for. You are a generous God! Amen!

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:17; Proverbs 12

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them and walk among them.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
And separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
And I will welcome you.
And I will be your Father,
And you will be my sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD.

These verses reflect the message Paul gave the Corinthians in his first letter to them. The Spirit of God lives within us and dwells among us. What a blessing to experience the holy presence of God!

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

When we first read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, it can be easy to interpret scripture to say that we should have nothing to do with those who live in sin. After all, how can righteousness team up with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony could Jesus Christ and the devil ever have? How could a believer team up with or partner with an unbeliever? But we have also been commissioned by God to take His message of salvation to the lost. Jesus taught us to love God by loving others. So what is Paul teaching the church and what wisdom can we gain from his letter today?

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. – 2 Corinthians 7:1

Paul is calling the believers to a life of holiness. We are God’s temple; the Spirit of God is living within us. We cannot embrace the righteousness of God while also embracing the sins of this world. We are called by God for a purpose, and we must not let the temporary pleasures of this world distract us from the eternal calling God has placed on our lives.

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are the living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. – 1 Peter 2:4-5

WE ARE THE LIVING STONES OF GOD’S SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. WE ARE HIS HOLY PRIESTS.

We have been called to something much greater than what this world has to offer us. Jesus died to set us free from our sins; we no longer live in bondage to our sinful nature. So why would we seek joy in what the world defines as happiness? If God is dwelling within us, we have access to His righteousness. We do not have to produce Christian perfection of our own strength. God is building us into his spiritual temple, daily making us into who He is calling us to be. So let us cooperate with our builder and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

Paul referred again to the harsh letter that he had sent the church between what we know as 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. It was a painful letter to receive, and Paul recognized the pain that it had caused. Yet he took time in this last letter to the church in Corinth to explain how the pain caused by confrontation can be productive because it restores us to the place God wants us to be.

I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. – 2 Corinthians 7:8-10

I am not the only living stone that God is using to build His spiritual temple. It matters what is happening in the lives of the “stones” around me. At times God calls me into a healing conversation for the sake of helping someone else, and sometimes I am the one who experiences the pain of someone else’s tough love or honest words. I recognize that this godly sorrow is often what begins the healing process in my life; the Holy Spirit either confirms what is true or helps me decipher what is false. Little by little, I am becoming what the Lord created me to be.

Lord, my heart is grateful for the experience of your Spirit living within me, every day guiding me and teaching me. I surrender to the work you are doing in my life. Produce in me a righteousness that reflects who YOU are, and help me to recognize the ways in which you want to use me in someone else’s life today. Give me the courage to step into difficult conversations, both giving and receiving what your Spirit has for me today. I am your temple and you are the One who is daily building me for your glory and for your purposes. What an honor to be a child of God. I love you with all that I am and all that I will be. Amen.

To learn, you must love discipline;
it is stupid to hate correction.
The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots. – Proverbs 12:1-3

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Proverbs 31

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

When we come to believe in Christ, when we repent of our sins, God does a work in our lives changing us from who we used to be into a new person. This work changes our understanding of God, as well as the way we see others. He does this not just for our sake but because He has a plan for our lives and He wants to make us into who He needs us to be for His purposes. And what is His purpose for our lives?

GOD MAKES US INTO A NEW CREATION FOR A REASON.

And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. – 2 Corinthians 5:18b-21

In this letter, Paul begs those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation to be willing to extend this gift to others — to see them from a new point of view. We have been saved to serve! We have been given an incredible gift meant to be passed on to those both near us and around the world. Our lives become an example of God’s ability to take away the old life and make someone into a new person. Others can witness the change in our lives and be drawn to God because of the way we live out our faith.

WE ARE CALLED TO BE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST.

As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. – 2 Corinthians 6:1

Take a second to read that verse again. God has given us this amazing gift, but we must cooperate with the gift-giver. We are created to partner with Him in both the receiving and the sharing of this gift. If we do not open up this gift and then use it for its created purpose, we are missing the beauty of the gift and the result could have a negative impact on those around us. This is Paul’s testimony:

We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.

We are honest, but they call us imposters.
We are ignored, even though we are well known.
We live close to death, but we are still alive.
We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.
We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others.
We own nothing, and yet we have everything. – 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

This is my prayer. If it is yours, please pray along with me: Heavenly Father, my desire is to live in such a way that others will be drawn to you and that no one will stumble because of me. I want to live above reproach, a life of excellence that no one can find fault in. In everything I do, I want to be a TRUE minister of yours.

When troubles, hardship and calamities of every kind come my way, please give me the strength to patiently endure them. When I face accusations, when I am persecuted, when my heart is so burdened that I have difficulty sleeping at night, may others still find in me purity, understanding, patience, kindness and sincere love — not by my own human effort but as a result of the Holy Spirit living in me.

Lord, may my life be more than just an example for others to see but may I also be bold with my words, faithfully speaking the truth. I accept your task of reconciling others to you. I long to be your ambassador so that you can make your appeal to the lost through me. Fill me with Your Spirit and give me the boldness to speak for you – “Come back to God!”

Oh, awesome and mighty God, work your power in me. Place weapons of righteousness in my right hand to proactively go to battle for you and for your lost children. Place weapons of righteousness in my left hand so that I may defend the truth and stand up those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8). Whether people honor me or despise me, whether they slander me or praise me, even if they falsely accuse or ignore me, I want to live boldly for you today.

Lord, I own nothing; it’s all yours. I trade all that I have for all that you desire to give me. You are my everything and I love you. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 5; Psalm 96

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. – 2 Corinthians 5:1

Paul goes from the analogy of jars of clay in chapter four to earthly tents in chapter five. These analogies help us to understand both our earthly existence and our heavenly reward. When we turn to the Lord, the veil is removed and the Spirit of the Lord begins to transform us into the glorious image of Christ. As we become more and more like Jesus, a light shines in our hearts giving God the glory for the transformation taking place. When life gets hard, we become a living testimony to the difference God can make in our lives. Our story shines a light that draws others towards the Lord.

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produced for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Paul is once again redirecting our gaze from our earthly experiences to God’s eternal plan. He describes even our physical bodies as earthly tents that will be taken down and replaced by a house in heaven — an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. When we grow weary of our present situation, God’s Spirit within us reminds us that He is preparing us for our forever home with Him.

We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. – 2 Corinthians 5:2-3

It’s easy for us to get discouraged by our present circumstances and long for our heavenly home. As our bodies age, we begin to look forward to the healing that takes place when we receive our new bodies. But in the meantime, we must make our goal in life to please the Lord in everything we say and do. We must let our light shine and never give up, daily being renewed by the Spirit of the Lord.

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. – 2 Corinthians 5:10

I have to be careful here to not go back to living a résumé lifestyle where I attempt to earn my new heavenly body through good works. No, I died to my old self — the one that tried to exchange my unrighteousness for a new self-righteousness. It was a worthless pursuit. Christ died so that I could receive a new life in which I stop living for myself and daily let Christ’s love control me.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

What a wonderful gift from God! We are no longer slaves to our sin nature but the Holy Spirit is making us new. And this transformation is not just for my own benefit, although it is a blessing to live in this freedom. No, God has given those of us who have been made new the task of reconciling others to Him. We have a message of reconciliation to share with the world.

So we are God’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. – 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NLT)

Let’s put this all together. God has made a new covenant with us. When difficulties come, I can know with confidence that I am never alone. When I chose as a child to believe in Him, I walked away from my old self and allowed a new light to live within me, bringing glory to the Creator Himself. I now live for him. Everything I do and everything I say today is for Him, so that I can reflect His glory for the world to see. Because I understand this fearful responsibility to the Lord (5:11), I will work hard to persuade others. Jesus died so that I may receive this new life, therefore I will no longer live for myself. I will live for Christ — the One who died and was raised for me (5:14-15).

We are children of the new covenant.
We are fragile clay jars that contain a great treasure.
We have this light shining in our hearts.
We are a new creation.
God’s Spirit is daily transforming us.
We are God’s ambassadors.
He is making His appeal through us.
So we focus on the light when things get difficult.
We are pressed, but not crushed.
We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
We are NEVER abandoned by God.
We may get knocked down by life’s circumstances, but we are not destroyed.
These troubles are temporary.
Therefore, we never give up.

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 4; Psalm 116

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. – 2 Corinthians 4:1

When we see a “therefore”, it’s good to discover what it is there for. What is this new way Paul is referring to? Looking back at the previous chapter, we are reminded that the veil is removed when we turn to the Lord. We reflect the glory of the Lord as we experience the freedom of the Spirit living within us. We are daily becoming more like him, a transformation that is visible for all to see or a glow that shines a light for all to see.

We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. – 2 Corinthians 4:2b-3

While Satan is working hard to blind all of us from the truth, we are called to reveal the Good News about Jesus by letting our life be a light in the darkness. Where there is confusion, the Spirit can bring clarity; where there is a veil, the Spirit can bring freedom and understanding.

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

WE FOCUS ON THIS LIGHT WHEN THINGS GET DIFFICULT.

We are not like Moses who had to put a veil over his face so the people would not see God’s glory. When we believe in Christ, when we turn to the Lord, the veil is lifted and we can boldly show the light of God for all to see (3:12, 14). When things get difficult, we do not focus on the darkness around us but on the light burning bright within us. His Spirit reminds us of God’s presence and gives us the strength to overcome our troubles — a power not from ourselves but of God (4:7). Since God has given us this new way, we persevere through life’s struggles and Satan’s attacks.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

WE NEVER GIVE UP!

Paul lived out this charge for all to see. He lived under constant danger of death yet celebrated that Jesus was being revealed to others through the persecution he was experiencing. If dying for Christ meant others would experience eternal life, Paul declared it to be worth it.

And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produced for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:15-18

OUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE TEMPORARY.

What a great reminder for us this morning. The last thing we want to do is give up when life gets hard. We do not want to allow the enemy to defeat us or discourage us, but to fix our eyes on the eternal as we put our trust in God. Let’s pray Psalm 116 together:

Lord, you hear my voice and respond to my prayer for mercy. For this I love you! You bend down to listen to my prayer, therefore I will pray as long as I have breath! I have experienced trouble and sorrow; death has tried to pull me into the grave. But when I called on your name, you displayed both your kindness and your goodness by saving me. You are a merciful God — the One who protects me and gives rest to my soul. You have been good to me, saving me from death over and over again. You spared my eyes from crying and my feet from stumbling.

What can I offer back to you for all you have done for me? I will walk in your presence, lifting up your cup of salvation and praising your holy name! I will keep my promises to you. I will offer up a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on you, for you have freed me from my chains and taken care of me during my seasons of grief and loss. I am a fragile clay jar containing a treasure, recognizing that your power is at work in my life. Therefore, I will never give up! Amen.

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 3; Exodus 24; Psalm 105 & 106

“The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.

“But this is a new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” – Jeremiah 31:31-33

That day proclaimed by Jeremiah and anticipated for generations had finally come! The old covenant had been broken by the unfaithfulness of God’s people, but this new covenant would be different. It would be a covenant not of written laws as was etched in stone long ago, but a covenant of the Holy Spirit living within. The old way brought death by defining two choices — obey these laws and live or disobey and die. The new way brings life as the Spirit lives within us and changes us, making us right with God.

Paul described himself as being a minister of this new covenant. Unqualified and undeserving, yet chosen by God for a specific purpose. Can you relate? Has God placed you in a role that feels beyond what you were looking for. Perhaps your qualification for this calling is less about your natural giftings and learned skillset, pulling you out of your comfort zone. This qualification comes from God (3:5).

He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. – 2 Corinthians 3:6-9

WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE NEW COVENANT.

The writer of the book of Exodus teaches us about the original covenant God made with the people of Israel. After rescuing them from Egypt, the Lord called Moses to the top of Mount Sinai for the purpose of laying out the terms of the covenant relationship He was making with them.

The Lord came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain. – Exodus 19:20

The Lord gave Moses specific instructions to relay to His people. Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions, known as the Book of the Covenant, and the people committed to obeying God’s commands. Then God called Moses back to the top of the mountain, and the glory of the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire. Moses climbed higher and disappeared into a cloud where he remained for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24).

When the Lord finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, written by the finger of God. – Exodus 31:18

But by the time Moses descended the mountain, God’s people had already broken their covenant relationship by making a golden calf to worship. Moses threw down the stone tablets on which God himself had written the terms of the covenant, smashing them to pieces (Exodus 32).

Moses had been called by God to lead a stubborn people with rebellious hearts, which came with its frustrations and grief. The Lord allowed Moses to spend time in His presence, giving him rest and allowing His goodness to pass before him (Exodus 33). When Moses came down the mountain with a new set of stone tablets, his face shone so bright that the people were unable to look at him. So he covered his face with a veil (Exodus 34). Perhaps 2 Corinthians chapter three makes more sense now.

We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day wherever the old covenant is read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. – 2 Corinthians 3:13-14

Praise God! The veil that limited the Israelites’ experience of God can be removed when we place our faith in Christ Jesus. We can surrender our lives to the Lord, drawing near to Him as we enter into a covenant relationship with Him. When we come to Jesus in repentance, declaring that we believe he died and rose from the dead, we can experience freedom from the sinful nature that has kept us in bondage. With this new covenant, a light is placed in our heart that shines for all to see the glory of God.

WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE NEW COVENANT.

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Father God, thank you for sending your Son to die on a cross so that I can enter into a new covenant with you. Because Jesus conquered death and rose from the grave, I no longer have to live as a slave to the sin that separates me from your presence. Thank you for this freedom. Thank you for taking away the veil so that I can reflect your glory for others to see. It is a privilege to bear your image and be called a Christ-follower. To you be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

He is the Lord our God.
His justice is seen throughout the land.
He always stands by his covenant —
the commitment he made to a thousand generations. – Psalm 105:7-8

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 2; Psalm 45

So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you. – 2 Corinthians 2:1-4

Paul continues to refer to the letter he sent to the church in Corinth that was not well received. He wants to clear up any misunderstanding so that they can realign their relationship and move forward. He shares his heart with his fellow believers in order to get past any misconceptions — so that they can understand why he said what he said and how deeply he loves them.

Oh how the enemy loves to confuse the Church! If he can cause divisions among the body of believers, the strength of the Church is weakened, making it easier for Satan to distract us from our purpose and block our mission. When we allow bitterness towards one another to grow, it becomes a distraction from all that God is calling us to be and to do. We use all of our energy holding onto grudges and spreading speculation, which causes us to take our eyes off of Jesus.

IT IS TIME TO TRUST ONE ANOTHER — BELIEVING THE BEST ABOUT OUR FELLOW BELIEVERS.

I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. – 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

IT IS TIME TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER — RECONCILING RELATIONSHIPS AND RESTORING UNITY.

Let’s stand in unity against the one who is daily trying to trip us up and cause us to veer from the path God has called us to walk. More than that, he is seeking to destroy us — seeking to destroy the Church and its congregation. When I recognize that the same enemy who is trying to distract me from my relationship with Christ is also working hard against my fellow believer, it gives me a new perspective. Instead of pushing against my brother or sister in Christ, I can come alongside them and create conversations that will help us both to defeat the voice of suspicion and lies.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. – 1 Peter 5:8

When we recognize that Jesus loves the one we are struggling to love, and when we come face to face with the truth that we are operating from human emotion rather than allowing the Spirit of God to lead us, we not only begin to forgive others but we also recognize our own need for forgiveness. And when we begin to find unity and alignment with our fellow believers around the truth of God’s word, we become a sweet fragrance that helps others find their way into a growing relationship with Christ.

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

IT IS TIME TO PLACE OUR RELATIONSHIPS IN THE HANDS OF JESUS AND ALLOW HIM TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL FRAGRANCE THAT BRINGS GLORY TO GOD.

Lord, thank you for this reminder that I have an enemy who is daily casting doubt and whispering lies in order to discourage me and destroy my faith. May your Spirit continue to identify the areas in my life where a spiritual battle is taking place, giving me the armor with which to fight off Satan’s attempts to distract me. Show me what lies I have believed that are destroying my relationships with others as well as my own self-confidence. Give me the courage to walk into conversations with others in order to restore truth and heal wounds, finding unity once again. Jesus, please give me the words to say and the heart to forgive. I pray that the Spirit will lead me and that God will be glorified as steps are taken towards reconciliation and forgiveness. May the result be a beautiful fragrance that brings glory to you. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:12-24; Psalm 119:121-144

It is believed that Paul wrote three letters to the Church in Corinth; it is possible that there was a letter between what we know as 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. The manuscript of this letter has been lost but it is believed to have been a harsh or severe letter. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was not well received by everyone in the church. Opposition grew against him and he was spoken of negatively while he was away. His authority was challenged and he was forced to defend himself. He left Ephesus in order to talk with the church face to face, but the visit did not go well. Paul refers to this visit in 2 Corinthians 2:1 as a painful visit.

Knowing this helps us to understand the tone of 2 Corinthians 1:12-24. Paul is defending himself in hopes that the Church will have confidence in him and trust his authority. Consider how painful it must have been for Paul to be rejected by a church full of people whom he had led to the Lord. He loved them and considered them his children. It is difficult to suffer because the world does not understand our faith, but even more painful when we feel the need to defend ourselves to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Listen to Paul’s defense in the following verses:

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world and especially towards you. Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. – 2 Corinthians 1:12-13

GOD-GIVEN HOLINESS

Oh the peace that comes with confidence and a clear conscience. At the end of the day if my concern is whether or not I have lived a good life or if I represented Christ well, I will fall asleep worrying. But if I look closely at this verse and see that holiness is God-given, I recognize that I do not have to produce holiness and sincerity on my own. I can depend on God and HIS holiness; I can trust in HIS grace to lead me rather than any human wisdom I could possibly come up with on my own.

Humanity. None of us is perfect and neither was Paul, yet he goes on to defend his intentions. He had wanted to come for a second visit but was unable to come when he had originally planned to. So did he lie or deceive the church, giving them a reason to question his word? Should they wonder if his “yes” really means yes or his “no” means no? If they doubt Paul’s word, will they doubt God’s word? This appears to be part of the issue of concern for the church. Thankfully, Paul knew he was called by God and must respond to God in obedience, even if it changed his earthly plans.

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 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. 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 Corinthians 1:21-24

SPIRIT-FILLED CONFIDENCE

Because of God, I can stand firm in Christ. He has called me and He will equip me. I am HIS child and it is HIS Spirit living within me that leads me and fills me. When I have confidence I have done the right thing, I can ask God to protect me from false guilt or unnecessary anxiety. And I must do the same for others by being slow to believe the worst about another believer. Instead of jumping to conclusions or making false accusations, I need to use the principles of Matthew 18 and go directly to my brother or sister in Christ, allowing them to clear up any misconceptions or lies.

Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
that is why I love them so much.
I am insignificant and despised,
but I don’t forget your commandments.
Your justice is eternal,
and your instructions are perfectly true.
As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.
Your laws are always right;
help me to understand them so I may live. – Psalm 119:140-144

Thank you, Lord, for whatever lies ahead — joy or suffering, peace or conflict. Fill me with Your Spirit and remind me over and over again of your presence in my life today. When the enemy tries to accuse me and attack me with false guilt, may I stand firm in you! When Satan tries to engage me in conflict with another person, may your Spirit guide me in wisdom and grace. May his schemes be defeated and his lies be deflected. Amen.