2 Corinthians 5:6-10

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Therefore while being courageous at all times and having known that while being at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.  For we live by faith, not by sight.  And we are courageous and we would rather choose to be absent out of the body and be at home with the Lord.  And therefore we aspire – whether we are at home or we are absent – to be pleasing to Him.  For it is necessary for all of us to appear before the judgment seat of Christ in order that everyone should get back the things through the body from which they did – whether good or evil.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We live by faith, not by sight.  Paul is telling us that we live by listening to God and being obedient to Him, not because we know the clear path and we make our own destiny.  We don’t often know what God is up to.  We don’t often know where exactly God is leading us.  So we live by faith.  We live seeking and searching for God, knowing that He will be faithful to us.

When do you live by faith?  When do you live by sight?  How can you maximize the time you live by faith and minimize the time you live by sight?

Second Thought:

As we heard yesterday, Paul continues to talk about desiring to be with the Lord in spite of still being alive as he writes this letter.  But Paul doesn’t get caught up in his desire to be present with Christ.  Instead, Paul remembers that it is better to focus instead on pleasing God.  I may desire to be with Christ, but until I am with Christ it is up to me to please God and seek His will.

How do you please God?  How do you live out His calling for you in your life?

Third Thought:

It is necessary for us to appear before the judgment seat of Christ.  Paul says it is necessary.  We will all be there.  Our lives will all be weighed and judged.  Everyone will receive according to what that person has done.  Whether for good or for evil, we will get back from God those things that we spent time sowing in this life.

What will you get back from God?  Where do you sow good?  Where do you sow evil?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

2 Corinthians 5:1-5

2 Corinthians 5:1-5

For we have known that if our earthly home of a tent should be utterly ruined, we have a dwelling place out of God – an eternal house not made by hands in the heavens.  For even in this we deeply groan while desiring to put on our dwelling out of the heavens – if indeed after taking it off we will not be found naked.  For even the ones who are in the tent groan deeply while being burdened – upon which we do not desire to take off but rather to put on – in order that the mortal should be swallowed up by life.  And the one who makes us ready into this same thing is God – the one who gave to us the guarantee of the Spirit.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul’s perspective is rock solid.  Regardless of what happens here on this earth, our eternal future cannot be taken away.  God’s promise is God’s promise.  If we are in Him, then we will be in Him regardless of how much we are persecuted.  There is nothing that the world can do to affect our eternal dwelling place with God.  That is a very comforting thought, allowing us to engage in the world without fear.

Are you comforted when thinking about the status of your eternal life?  Why?  How can keeping your perspective on the eternal help you live boldly?

Second Thought:

As true as Paul’s perspective is, it is also difficult to live in that manner.  Sometimes the world does get to us.  Sometimes we do become worried about the pain of persecution ahead.  Sometimes we get to a place in life where we would rather God return so that this life can be over and the new eternal life with God can begin.  But notice what Paul says about this point.  Even though we might be frustrated and deeply groan while we are living in this age, we do not desire to cast off this life.  God has a job and a purpose for us here in this world.  If nothing else, we can tell others about our relationship with Him.  Rather than desiring to cast off this worldly life, we should be focused instead on putting on Christ even more every day that we are alive in this life.

Do you ever wish for Christ to return so we can get on with eternal life?  Why might this be an easy position to adopt?  How can you stay focused on God’s mission instead of our own persecution in life?

Third Thought:

Once more Paul returns us in his letters to the idea that the Holy Spirit is the down-payment on eternal life.  The presence of the Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we walk with God.  The presence of the Holy Spirit is evidence that God will keep His promises.  In fact, the Holy Spirit is evidence that God is powerful enough to keep His promise to us.  The Holy Spirit is evidence that as Paul says, it is God who makes us ready for eternal life.  We don’t do it, God does!  The Holy Spirit is so much to who we are and what we look forward to in God.

Where do you feel the Holy Spirit in your life?  How do you know what the presence of the Holy Spirit looks like?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not become discouraged.  Rather, even if our outer man is being gradually weakened our inner man is being restored day in and day out.  For the temporary insignificance of our persecution brings about for us an abundant weight of glory into an abundant eternity – while not fixing our attention the things seen but the things not seen.  For the things seen are temporary.  But the things unseen are eternal.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul starts us out with a great comparison.  Every day, our outer man – that is, our flesh – grows weaker.  Every day we get one step older.  There is no avoiding it.  However, in spite of our fleshly weakness we have an eternal renewal!  Our flesh grows weaker, our faith grows stronger as we draw closer to God!

Is it beneficial to think about the fact that as we grow older we have an opportunity to draw ever-closer to God and increase in His wisdom?  Why is that important?

Second Thought:

Paul gives us a wonderful perspective on persecution: temporary.  It is completely temporary.  Sure, it isn’t fun.  Sure, it can be tough.  It can even be costly.  But it is completely temporary.  There will come a time and a day when it will end.  There will come an even longer time and day when God will take us away from persecution completely and totally.  That time and day will be eternal when it comes.  Our persecution – as unenjoyable as it may be – is completely temporary.

How does it make you feel to hear Paul speak about persecution as temporary and insignificant?  How does it make you feel to think about eternal life and how once we arrive in eternal life we will be able to stay there forever?

Third Thought:

At the end of this passage Paul puts things in a great perspective.  He contrasts the things seen and the things unseen.  It is so easy in this life to focus on the things we see: money, houses, bank accounts, clothing, food, home decoration, vehicles, etc.  Not that these things are completely unimportant; rather, they are temporary.  It is harder to focus on the unseen: relationships, godliness, reputation, righteousness, justice, holiness, salvation.  These things are harder to perceive.  After all, how many times do we touch people’s lives and not even know it?  How often do we say something profound while not even realizing what it is that God is saying through us?  Yet we should strive to focus on the unseen righteous things of God.

Do you ever get caught up focusing on the things of this world rather than the things of God?  Why do you do this?  What are some ways that can help you focus on the things of God?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

And while having the same spirit of faith according to that which has been written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe therefore we also speak – having known that the one who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up with Jesus and He will present us with you all.  For all things are for your sake, in order that the grace that multiplied through many people should abound in thanksgiving into the glory of God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The verse that Paul appears to be quoting in this passage in Psalm 116:10.  What makes this quote especially pertinent is that the psalm also talks about speaking in spite of persecution, which Paul has also been talking about this chapter.  Paul’s point is rather clear.  When we know truth, we really cannot keep our mouths quiet.  If we have to choose between silence and persecution, we choose to speak and be persecuted rather than hold our tongue so that we can be accepted.  In spite of persecution we speak.

Are you good at speaking in the midst of persecution?  What makes it easy to speak when people want to do you wrong?  What makes it difficult?

Second Thought:

 Speaking of making it easy to speak, Paul tells us why it is easy for him to speak up.  He can speak up because he is confident in the resurrection.  The one who raised up Jesus can raise us up, too.  If God can raise us up out of the dead, then what do we have to fear?  If God can raise us up out of the dead, why be silent about the truth?

Does Paul’s perpetual eternal perspective amaze you?  How do you think this helped Paul in ministry?

Third Thought:

I’m about to sound like a broken record.  But once more Paul reminds us that all of this is for the glory of God.  We will be raised to the glory of God.  We sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of others for the glory of God.  Grace multiplies for the glory of God.  It really isn’t about us at all.  It is all really about God.

Is your life all about God?  How so?  Where can you stand to have a little improvement?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

And we have this treasure in vessels of clay, in that the abundance of power should be out of God and not out of us: while being persecuted in every way but while not being hemmed in, while being uncertain but while not being in despair, while being systematically persecuted but while not being forsaken, while being struck in considerable pain but while not being destroyed, while carrying around at all times the death of Jesus in the body in order that the life of Jesus should also be fully known in the body.  For we who live are continually being handed over into death because of Jesus in order that the life of Jesus should be fully known in our mortal bodies.    Therefore death is at work in us, but life in you.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This section contains an often quoted analogy from Paul.  We are like clay vessels.  Paul’s point is that clay vessels are easily broken.  Normally you put valuable treasure in a place where it can be kept safe and protected.  But God does the opposite of this.  God puts His greatest treasure in us.  Yet we are easily broken.  We will all die.  We don’t always protect the treasure of God as He has given it to us.  Why does God do this?  He does this because everything is in His power.  If we mess up, He can fix it so that it works out to His will.  In the end when we are ultimately broken, God can put us back together into a new form that will never be broken.  It is a great mystery of God that He loves us as He does even though we are easily broken and less than ideal in form.  But He does it so that we and the world know that it is through His power and to His glory, not our own.

Do you see yourself as a clay pot?  Why is seeing ourselves as a clay pot important to our spiritual walk?  Why do we prefer to see ourselves as something more substantial, such as an iron vessel?

Second Thought:

Paul then gives us a laundry list of things that can go wrong.  Physical persecution.  Beatings.  Brought to within an inch of death.  Uncertainty.  Systematically persecuted with intention.  But Paul also reminds us that none of these things were final.  Although they were persecuted, they were never hemmed in.  While they were uncertain about the future they were never in despair.  While they were beaten to within an inch of death they were not actually killed.  So what makes this all worth it?  What makes it worth it is that Jesus has been there.  Jesus actually died and God brought Him into new life.  We endure all things for the sake of Christ because He endured death so that we can live.  We put up with everything that the world can throw at us because we know the promise of God that will come upon us in the end.

When have you experienced systematic persecution, physical oppression, or personal uncertainty?  How does God help you overcome such things?

Third Thought:

In the end, the biggest way to make the love of Christ known to the world is through sacrifice – especially sacrifice for someone else.  Paul acknowledges that he and his associates are constantly being handed over into death.  For the record, this is the same verb that the Gospel writers use to speak about what Judas does to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: paradidomi (παραδίδωμι).  Paul knows that every time he talks about Jesus it is an opportunity for the world to hate him.  He knows that every word about Christ is an opportunity for someone to hand him over into persecution.  Yet he still does it because we are called to make Jesus known to the world.

Are you willing to be handed over to the world’s oppression for the sake of making Christ known?  How do you live this out?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 4:13-15

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

And while having this service just as we were being shown mercy, we do not become discouraged.  Rather we put aside the secret ways of defiant behavior while neither living in evil cunning nor distorting the words of God but while commending ourselves to the full disclosure of truth to every conscience of mankind in the presence of God.  And even if our good news is having been covered with a veil, it is having been veiled in the ones who are being destroyed – in whom the god of this age made the minds of the unbelieving ones unable to understand in order to not see the truth of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ the Lord – ourselves as your servants through Jesus.  Because the God, who said “A light will shine out of darkness,” shone in our hearts for the truth of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Discouraged.  It’s a word with which most human beings are familiar.  The reality is that most if not all of us have brilliant ideas – and I mean that seriously.  But when ideas meet reality things often do not go as planned.  It is common for us to honestly try and have things not go quite as planned.  Discouragement is a common issue with humanity.  But Paul tells us that we do not become discouraged.  We do not become discouraged because we know mercy.  We know God and we know we have received from God more than we already deserve.  So when we try to follow God’s will and the world discourages us, we don’t have to be discouraged because we already have gotten more than we deserve.  So we are already ahead of the game, even if things don’t go as well as we intend when we follow God.

Do you ever get discouraged?  When are you prone to discouragement?  How does remembering the mercy shown to us by God help us overcome that discouragement?

Second Thought:

Paul then tells us that rather than becoming discouraged we commend ourselves to God.  How do we commend ourselves to God?  We stop doing evil behind the scenes.  We stop being manipulative behind people’s backs.  We stop defying authority.  We submit to God.  We focus on being humble before Him.  This actually makes a lot of sense.  When we submit to God, we admit that it is not up to us to determine success.  When we submit to God, we give control to God.  God is powerful enough to take our best effort and the world’s resistance and turn it into His glory.  When God is in control and we submit to Him, we don’t have to worry about discouragement.

How good are you at submitting?  How good are you at submitting and then letting go of discouragement when things don’t go well?

Third Thought:

Once more Paul reminds the Corinthians about the focus of ministry and of life.  We do not preach ourselves, we preach Jesus Christ.  Christ is the focus.  God’s grace is the focus.  It is not about us, our victories, our greatness, or anything else about us.  It is about God, God’s greatness, and where God is working in the world.  We preach Christ, not ourselves.

Why do you think Paul makes the point again and again that it is about Christ and not Him or us?  Is this something about which you need to be reminded often?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Therefore while having this hope, we conduct ourselves with great boldness and not as Moses was placing a veil upon his face so that the sons of Israel did not stare into the end of that which is being stopped.  But their understanding was being hardened.  For even to this day the same veil remains upon the reading of the Old Covenant – while not being uncovered because in Christ it is being stopped.  But even to today whenever Moses should be read a veil rests upon their hearts.  But whenever someone should turn to the Lord, the veil is removed.  And the Lord is the Spirit; and freedom is where the Spirit of the Lord is.  And we all – our face having been uncovered of the glory of the Lord and while seeing this same image by way of reflection – are being transformed from glory into glory just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I think the opening words of this passage are some of my favorite.  Paul starts us with hope and leads us into bold action.  Here’s the thing.  How many of us connect a bold response to the concept of hope?  Most of us connect a bold response to the concept of assurance.  But that is not what Paul says.  Paul says, “while having this hope.”  We act boldly based on the promises of God, not on the completed action of God.  We do act on promises that He followed through with respect to Christ, but will follow through with respect to us at Christ’s return.  God absolutely raised Christ from the dead.  God allowed Jesus to ascend to His right hand.  We have hope that if God can do that (and more) for Christ, then He can do that (and more) for us, too!  Therefore, because we have this hope we act with great boldness!  We act not because we have already been made eternal or have already been purged from sin or because we have already had all fear cast out from us.  We act boldly because we know God will do these for us as we obediently follow Him and ultimately in the last day when Christ returns!

How bold are you in your life when it comes to God’s work?  When do you happen to be bold?  When do you happen to be timid or shy?

Second Thought:

I love the statement that Paul makes in the middle of these verses.  In Christ, the veil is removed.  I can’t tell you how many times this statement has been true in my life.  I don’t truly understand the things of God until I submit to Christ.  I often have to submit and trust before I really understand.  As human beings, we don’t like that.  But how many times in my life has this been proven true!  When I follow God, I learn to understand God’s ways in the greatest depth as I follow Him, not before I follow Him!  In fact, the description Paul uses for when we required understanding before obedience is “hardness of our heart!”

Are you willing to follow before you have full understanding?  What makes this difficult to do?

Third Thought:

In the end of this passage, Paul reminds us about the transformation that is happening within each of us.  We are being transformed into glory!  But we must not lose sight of the focus.  Our transformation into glory is not what is ultimately important.  What is fundamentally important is that this transformation comes from the Lord.  The Lord transforms us.  We do not transform ourselves.  We do not deserve to be transformed.  But through Christ we are transformed and find ourselves new and fresh with God.

Where do you see this transformation in your life?  Where can you focus on the work that God is doing in you to transform you by uncovering the truth in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2 Corinthians 3:7-11

2 Corinthians 3:7-11

And if the service of death came in glory in letters having been carved in stone so that the sons of Israel are not powerful enough to stare into the face of Moses because of the glory of his face that was being stopped, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be in even more glory?  For if glory is by the service of condemnation, how much more does the service of righteousness exist abundantly to glory!  For even that which is being glorified has not been glorified in this aspect because of the glory that surpasses.  For if that which is being stopped is in glory, how much more is the thing that remains in glory!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul wants to talk about the glory of the Law and the glory of the Spirit.  And personally, I think the point that he makes is brilliant.  In the opening verses of this section, Paul is referring to Exodus 34:29-35.  This is the story of when Moses comes down from the mountain with the stone tablets.  His face glowed so vibrantly that the people could not look upon it.  Moses had to cover his face until the glow subsided.  So what Paul says is that if that glow from God – which eventually faded – was involved in the process of giving the Law – which serves to point out our sinful nature and our desperate need for Christ – then shouldn’t we be filled with an even greater glory when we are filled with the Holy Spirit?  I think this is a brilliant point!  If God is within us in His Spirit, then we should be filled with vibrant life!  We should be filled with incredible dimensions of godliness!  We should shine with His love!

Do you live each day as though God is shining through you?  How do you do this?

Second Thought:

Paul also gives us a bit of a hierarchy.  Paul doesn’t say the Law isn’t glorified.  Rather, he says that that which came after the Law – that is, Christ and His Spirit – have so much glory that the glory of the Law is nothing in comparison.  We know this to be true.  Of course the Law is important because it reveals our sin and points us to our need for Christ.  However, what good is the Law if Christ never comes?  What good is knowing that we are sinful human beings if there is no hope for us?  No, the glory of Christ surpasses the glory of the Law because Christ can do something about our condition.  The Law reveals our condition, Christ resolves our condition and re-establishes true relationship with God.  That is why the glory of Christ and His Spirit surpasses the glory of the Law.

If you had to choose between the Law and Christ, what would you choose?  Why?  How does this reflect you internal understanding of what Paul is saying here to the Corinthians?

Third Thought:

There is one overarching word throughout this whole passage.  The word is “service.”  Some translations use the word “ministry.”  Either word is appropriate, and the root work for this is the word from which we get our English word “Deacon.”  A deacon is a position of service to the ministry of God.  Paul’s point here is that we as His followers are to be dedicated to His work, not our own work.  When we follow Him, we truly follow Him rather than follow our own desires.  We are in the service of the Spirit, not our own service.

Are you a servant of the Spirit?  Do you serve the will of God or your own will?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Do we again commence to give approval of ourselves?  Or do we need – as some need – letters of recommendation to you all or out of you all?  You all are our letters: having been written in our hearts, while being known, while being read by all mankind, while making it clear that you all a letter of Christ, having been rendered service by us, having been written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not in tablets of stone but in tablets of human hearts.  And we have confidence such as this through Christ towards God.  Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to consider anything as out of ourselves – but rather our sufficiency is out of God, who also made us sufficient servants of the new covenant – not the one of letter but the one of Spirit.  For the letter kills; but the Spirit gives life.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul speaks about letters of recommendation in the first half of this passage.  Mind you, Paul is speaking very sarcastically.  We don’t need letters of recommendation; we are about God’s business!  We don’t need other people to validate our work, God validates our work!  We don’t need to get approval from others, God is the best and only true source of approval!

Why do we seek approval from other people?  Why do we care so much about what other people think about ourselves and our credentials?  Are you satisfied with God’s validation?

Second Thought:

Our sufficiency is out of God.  Paul says it rather bluntly and boldly.  None of us can save ourselves.  In fact, none of us can do anything truly commendable without God’s help in our life!  Our sufficiency comes from God.  When we do something well, we should give the glory to God.  When we succeed, the glory goes to God.  As James reminds us, every good and perfect thing comes from God – our sufficiency included.

Do you give God glory often?  How does your life bring God glory and bring praise to His name?

Third Thought:

Paul makes out job clear in the New Covenant.  We are to be people of Spirit, not the Law.  Don’t get me wrong.  Paul isn’t saying that the Law is bad.  But the Law kills.  The Law reveals our sinfulness.  The Law exposes our true nature.  If we focus on the Law, all we will do is grind other people into their imperfection and failure when compared to God!  Rather, we are to be people of the Spirit.  We are to uphold God’s ways in grace and love.  We are to encourage one another in spite of our failings because God is forgiving and loving and capable of redeeming us.

Are you a minister of the New Covenant?  How do you express God’s grace to the world around you?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

And after coming in Troas into the Good News of Christ and a door having been opened for me in the Lord, I have not had rest for my spirit to find Titus my brother – but after saying farewell to them I went out into Macedonia.  And thanks be to the God who always leads us to triumph in Christ and who reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him through us in every place – because we are the aroma of Christ to God in the ones who are being saved and in the ones who are being destroyed.  In one case it is a fragrance out of death into death.  In another case it is a fragrance of life into life.  And who is qualified for these things?  For we are not like the many who peddle the word of God but rather as out of a pure motive – but we speak as out of God in the presence of God in Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As Paul continues to talk about his motives, he discloses what happened at Troas.  He went, thinking that Titus would join him there when he came back from Corinth.  But Titus never came.  Paul was so worried about what was happening in Corinth that he was unable to stay in Troas in spite of the doors that were being opened in Troas.  Here is a profound truth.  Sometimes we can’t win.  We cannot be in two places at once.  Sometimes we must choose which path to follow.  It is easy to argue that Paul should have stayed in Troas to go through the doors that God opened.  And I can easily see that point.  But on the other hand, I can only imagine what Paul felt with respect to concern about Corinth.  I know what it is like to worry about the people about whom I care deeply.  Sometimes the decision about where to follow God’s leading isn’t easy.  So we do the best we can, hoping that those who are around us are willing to see how we act out of compassion the best we are able.

Have you ever been in a position that you had to choose between two opportunities for ministry?  Why are these difficult choices to make?

Second Thought:

So what does Paul do?  Paul acts, trusting that God is a God of triumph in Christ!  Paul knows that God’s powerful hand is at work in more places than just through him.  God can accomplish His will with or without us.  Our choices cannot limit God’s ability to work.  That doesn’t give us permission to do whatever we want.  But it does give us permission to make the best decision that we can make and move forward with it.  If God sets two equally good paths before us, God can work out the path we don’t choose in a different way than it would have happened through us.  And that is perfectly okay.  We don’t need to feel like we have to accomplish everything in God’s plan by ourselves.  He is way bigger than we are.  This is why Paul can ask, “Who is qualified for these things?”  The only person who can accomplish everything is God.

Have you ever felt guilty because you cannot do everything?  Why do we try to do everything anyways, even when we cannot?  How does being humble before God and acknowledging our limitations actually help us accomplish God’s will better?

Third Thought:

I love the part of this passage that speaks about the fragrant aroma.  We are a fragrant aroma to those who are being saved.  When Christians gather together, there is a common spirit.  That spirit binds us together as we draw one another closer to Christ!  But to those who reject God, we are an aroma of death.  To those who reject God, Christians are a constant reminder of what they have rejected.  Like it or not, this is reality.  If we are following Christ, we should either be reminding people about why they follow God or reminding people about why they have rejected Him.  Either way, we should be active in our faith and actively reminding people about the presence of God.

How is the fragrance of God perceived by the world around you?  How do you put your faith on display?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

And if someone has caused sadness, he has not caused me sadness, but rather you all in part – in order that I should not burden anyone.  The punishment by the majority is sufficient to one such as this, therefore to him instead you all are to show forgiveness and to encourage, lest somehow a person such as this should be overcome with abundant grief.  Therefore I appeal to you all to make love real into him.  For into this I also wrote, in order that I should know a testing of your genuineness if you all are into every obedience.  And the one to whom you all show forgiveness, I also show forgiveness.  For what I have also forgiven – if I have forgiven anything – it is for your sake in the presence of Christ in order that we should not be taken advantage of by Satan.  For we are not ignorant of his thinking.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As we look at these verses, we need a little historical context.  First, we can get a sense from these verses that there was a person who has been particularly injurious to Paul.  However, notice what Paul does.  Paul realizes that the church in Corinth has come together and disciplined him.  And that is enough for Paul.  Paul asks that it be enough.  There is no need to continue to discipline the man.  Paul says enough is enough.  It is better for grace and love to come out than to force the continued humiliation of the man.

How does this show the love that Paul has for people?  How does this show the love of Christ through his words?

Second Thought:

In fact, Paul actually turns this situation into a check against the mass.  You see, it is important that people who do something wrong be chastised.  But it is way too easy for the masses to jump on the bandwagon and take the chastisement to a level that is all wrong.  Chastisement is one thing; piling on the bandwagon needs to be avoided.  Thus, Paul turns it into an opportunity to examine the congregation, not the man who has done something wrong.  The true test of a collective of people is not to pile on when they are right but to show grace and mercy in the face of true repentance.  After all, what Christian – or group of Christians – should ever get any pleasure out of bringing someone else to despair?

Why is it easy for large groups to show a lack of mercy and pile on to someone who is repentant?  Why are situations like this a true test of character for a larger group?

Third Thought:

This second point leads us to the last few words in this section.  Paul says that we are aware of Satan’s tactics.  Satan targets Christians who have sinned in order to convince them that they aren’t worthy.  Satan loves to drive individual Christians to despair.  However, Satan also loves to drive large groups of people into a mob mentality where the love of Christ is far from the realm of possibility.  We need to be aware of both of these tactics and realize from where they come.  When people are lead into despair, it is not from God.  When large groups of people gorge themselves on wrath rather than repentance, it is not from God either.

Why do you think Satan loves to use despair in individuals?  Is it easy to convince us of our own sinfulness?  Why do you think Satan likes to motivate large groups of people into mob mentality?  Is it easy to do this, too?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

For I myself judged this: to not come again to you all in sorrow.  For if I make you all sorrowful, then who is the one who cheers me up except the one who has been grieved out of me?  And I wrote this same thing in order that after coming I should not have sorrow from the ones whom it is necessary to make me rejoice – having placed confidence upon you all that my joy is also of you all.  For I wrote to you all out of great affliction and distress of the heart through many tears, no in order to cause you sorrow but rather in order that you all know the love that I have abundantly in you all.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul didn’t want to come and cause grief.  Paul didn’t want to come and yell at them.  After all, remember that he was part of the reason for division among them!  Rather, Paul stayed away and let them settle their differences like the adults they should be.  Paul didn’t want to come in and throw his weight around; he wanted to let them figure it out themselves and then come back – if he was welcome – in the end.  There are times in life where you cannot solve the problems of other people.  Sometimes the best that you can do is to teach people how to make a good decision and then release them to make their own decision.  Anyone who has ever raised children knows this truth.

Is it difficult for you to let other people make their own decision?  When is it easy and when is it hard?  What makes that difference?

Second Thought:

Even after all the turmoil in Corinth, Paul still considers them to be people that should bring him joy.  They can bring him joy because Paul is focused on the eternal.  Paul knows that when the end comes and we are all gathered before His presence, our petty squabbles here on this earth will not mean very much.  The Corinthians can still bring him joy even through all the turmoil because Paul is focused on something other than the here and now.  This is why Paul says “it is necessary for you all to make me glad.”  People who love God should make us glad because we share the same Spirit and the same destination!

Are you made glad by fellow Christians?  What does it feel like to truly be in the presence of another person who is focused on their relationship with God and their eternal destination?

Third Thought:

As we get to the end of these verses we see true spiritual love.  The Corinthian people have fragmented themselves into many divisions.  Many of those divisions have risen up against Paul.  Many of those divisions have been mean to one another and treated each other in unchristian ways.  But in the end, Paul’s greater emotion for the Corinthian church is one of abundant love.  Quite simply, Paul loves them.  Even after all they’ve done and all they’ve said, Paul loves them.  He just wants them to be in a good relationship with the Father.  And that is actually what allows him to love them.  Paul cares more about their relationship with God than their relationship with him.  What they think of Paul matters far less than what they think of God.  It is out of that genuine concern for the other person’s love for God that love is truly seen best.

Are you able to define love this way in your life?  Is love seen best when you care more about the other person’s relationship with God than you care about their relationship with you?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

2 Corinthians 1:23-24

2 Corinthians 1:23-24

And I myself appeal to God as a witness upon my soul – because while sparing you all I no longer came into Corinth.  Not that we govern your faithfulness, rather we are coworkers of your joy.  For you all have stood by faithfulness.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul calls upon God as a witness against his soul.  This is an interesting point.  Of course, the reality is that God will be the only true witness against any of us!  In the end, it is God who will judge us and determine our guilt and our righteousness.  In fact, God can be the only true judge.  Who else can know what truly lies within any of our hearts?

How often do you forget that you cannot know what is in the hearts of other people?  Why is it easy to forget that God is the only true judge of other people?

Second Thought:

In the midst of this passage we actually find a note of grace with Paul.  He wanted to spare them his wrath.  There are some people who are quick to judge – especially after being judged.  But Paul shows us that the higher road is to not judge.

Are you quick to judge or do you prefer to give people a chance to avoid wrath?  How do you know the right time to step in and correct and when to show grace?

Third Thought:

Put reminds the Corinthians that his posture is to not govern over them.  It is easy for church leaders to feel like they are in a place of judgment.  In fact, many people have accused Paul of being one of the most judgmental church leaders!  But here we see that Paul prefers to not be in a place of judgment.  He knows that he cannot take the place of God.  What will matter is when they stand faithfully before God – rooted in their faithful obedience through Christ.

Where do you see people standing in faithfulness?  Where are you guilty of judging others when you should be focused on their faithfulness instead?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 2:1-4

2 Corinthians 1:15-22

2 Corinthians 1:15-22

And by this confidence I was previously desiring to come to you all in order that you all should have a second time of grace – to go through you all into Macedonia and again to come from Macedonia to you all and for you all to send me on my way into Judea.  Therefore, while desiring this I have not behaved fickly, have I?  Or when I decide this do I decide it according to the flesh – in order that it is “yes, yes” and also “no, no” for me?  But God is faithful since our word to you all is not “yes” and “no.”  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ – the one who as being proclaimed in you all through us (through me and Silvanus and Timothy) – did not become “yes” and “no” but in Him it has been “yes.”  For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are “yes.”  Therefore, also the amen is to God to glory through us.  And God is the one who establishes us with you all in belief into Christ, who anointed us, and who sealed us and who gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This is another passage that is written out of Paul’s need to defend himself and his choices.  He had told the Corinthians that he was going to come and visit them (See 1 Corinthians 16:2-8).  But when their contention became bitter, he wanted to give them time to sort it out themselves rather than come to them and yell at them.  (See 2 Corinthians 1:23)  But some of his opponents in the church accused him of being a fickle person who makes one promise and then doesn’t live up to it.  So Paul has to defend himself once more.  Again we see an example of how our humanity interprets things for us rather than allowing us to be willing to truly understand the motivations of others and accept them.  Paul’s enemies accuse him and judge him rather than consider that there might be a logical reason for his choices.

Do you ever judge the motivations of other people?  Do you ever make assumptions of the motivations of others?  When are you likely to judge others?

Second Thought:

Having said this, Paul then states that his conscience is clear.  Paul was always up-front with the Corinthians.  He brought the truth them.  He gave them access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He tried his best, but life conspired against him and he had to change his plans.  If the Corinthians are unable to accept this, that is to their shame.  But Paul’s conscience is clear because he is honest and open and up-front all the time.  I admire Paul for sticking to the truth in spite of what people think of him.

How does it feel to have people judge you when your conscience is clear?  Why is it important to live a live that allows you to have a clear conscience?

Third Thought:

Paul gives us a string of God’s action as this passage ends.  God establishes us with His other followers.  We do not establish ourselves and we do not make ourselves great.  It is God who anoints us for the completion of His will.  It is God who seals us; we receive His seal rather than seal ourselves.  It is God who gives us His Spirit as a down payment – a word also translated as guarantee.  Once again we hear Paul emphasizing the importance of God’s work.  Everything that matters with respect to salvation and relationship with God originates with Him.  We receive everything from His hand.

How does this thought make you feel towards God?  How do you live out this feeling?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 1:23-24

2 Corinthians 1:12-14

2 Corinthians 1:12-14

For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience – that in sincerity and pure motives of God, not in worldly human wisdom but in the grace of God – that we behaved in the world and all the more towards you all.  For we are not writing to you all anything but what you all read and understand.  And I hope that you all will understand in the end – just as you all even understood us in part – that we are your boasting just as you all are also are ours in the day of our Lord Jesus.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul talks about his motives.  He speaks about being pure and sincere.  The word that Paul uses to talk about the pure motives of God is eilikpineia (εἰλικρίνεια).  It is a word that is rooted in the idea of something that can be held up to the sun and the sunlight shines right through it.  The word that Paul uses for sincerity (ἁπλότης) is a word that speaks to the character of a person or idea.  If we put this all together, Paul is reminding the Corinthians that the model of his life is one of transparency and in a sincere character.  He is genuine.  He is real.  He wants his model to be visible and able to be imitated.

How transparent is your faith?  How easily is your spirituality imitated?

Second Thought:

If you will allow me to do so for a thought, let’s look at why Paul would even have to write these words. Why is it that Paul would have to say the things here?  The logical conclusion is that the Corinthian people are doubting Paul.  They are questioning Paul’s motives.  In fact, Paul even has to defend what he wrote because people were taking his words out of context!  Paul says these words because he has to defend himself.  Paul has to remind the Corinthians that when he was among them he did everything out in the open and for their benefit.  How sad it is that people in the world see actions done out of genuine love and instead assume poor intention.  I feel bad for Paul.  Here is a man who gave up his life, worked hard for God, preached and taught among them without requiring any kind of financial support, and the people turn on him and put him in a place of having to defend himself.  It is sad.

Why do human beings act this way?  Do you ever accidentally assume a motivation of another person that isn’t real?  Do you ever put people on the defensive when they don’t deserve to be treated that way?

Third Thought:

At the end of this section, Paul reminds the people of Corinth what is important.  What is important is the eternal.  What is important is that in heaven we can boast about how we impact each other’s faith.  The things of this world will pass away.  But in the eternal life of God, we can boast forever in how God used other people to strengthen our faith.  Isn’t it cool to celebrate how God can use imperfect people like us and create a reason for boasting about how God works through us!

How has God used people around you?  How has God used you in the lives of the people around you?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 1:15-22

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

For we do not desire you all to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, regarding our affliction that became in Asia.  Because just as we were being burdened greatly beyond our power that we despaired even to live.  Rather, we ourselves have had the sentence of death in order that we should not be having put our belief upon ourselves but upon the God who raises up the dead.  He delivered us out of an incredible death and He will deliver.  Into Him we have hoped because he will even still deliver us.  And while you all join in prayer on our behalf, in order that out of the many faces the gracious gift into us should be expressed through many on our behalf.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul revisits the idea of persecution once more.  In case his listeners didn’t get it, Paul continues.  They were pushed near death.  They thought they had received the death sentence.  But God was able to rescue them.  How great is our God!  We need not fear persecution because God’s will shall be done.

Why do we fear persecution at the same time that we profess belief in a God who is bigger than the rest of the world?

Second Thought:

Paul makes an awesome point in the middle of this passage about persecution.  Persecution is a great time to remember that we should put our faith in the God who can raise us up out of the dead.  After all, what is the worst thing that could happen to us here on this world?  The worst thing is that we could die.  But cannot God undo that in eternal life?  Yes, when we are persecuted it is a great time to remember that we have cause to hope because our God is a God who conquers death.

How do you respond to persecution?  Is your faith strengthened or shaken?

Third Thought:

The end of this section contains an idiom in Greek that is difficult to translate into English well.  Here is what Paul is essentially saying.  Paul says “Pray for us, in order that through the gracious gift that God has given many faces will also be led to give thanks.”  In other words, Paul is again focused on the other person. Paul continues to focus on the people around him.  He doesn’t want the glory for his own sake.  He wants God to be given the glory through many people.  If God works through him, Paul wants it to be that through him many people give glory to God.  For Paul, his life is about bringing other people to God and giving God the glory.

What is your focus in life?  Do you live with the same singular purpose with which Paul seems to live?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 1:12-14