The Macedonians

2 Cor. 8:11

So now finish doing it well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 

Paul desired to share with the Corinthians the giving of the Macedonian churches who had In their severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--and this not as expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us. What an example not just for the Corinthians but for all of us! They wanted to give so badly that they begged to be included. Begging to give when you can't even meet your own needs is certainly counterproductive to our culture where #1 Self rules, and definitely counterproductive to the rules of survival. I know that when we experienced our years of financial distress[ many years ago], I resented giving so much to the church when we were so strapped at home. Definitely not the right attitude, but still if I felt that way, I am sure others do as well. Sadly, I am not thinking that this spirit of giving runs rampant in the Christian church today. As the cost of living rises, does the joy of giving lessen? 

I think the key is in the fact that they gave themselves to the Lord, unreservedly and in complete abandon. Whatever the Lord asked, they were ready to give with joy, even if that were their dwindling resources. It was not enough just to share this wonderful and inspiring story. Paul had to challenge the Corinthians. But as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you---see that you excel in this grace also. The Corinthian church was beset with problems, but at the same time, beset with great strengths. Paul wanted them to add giving generously and joyously to their list of strengths. Paul reminded them of Jesus who for His great love for them left all the riches of heaven and became poor so that they might become rich. So what is his final word? So now finish doing it well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. How many of us have had the desire to do something but yet have never followed through? I think it is a fairly common occurrence. He doesn't want only their desire to be swayed by the Macedonian story and by remembering what Jesus did. He wanted them to be swayed into action. Give generously and joyfully! Give out of abundance and out of deprivation! Give out of love for the care of others! Let your giving match your love for Jesus!

Father,

Change my heart so that I give unreservedly without a hint of reservation. Take away my penchant for thinking of myself or my family first. Thank You, Jesus, for giving all for me. Help me to give all as if I am giving to You. Keep my focus ever on You.

In Jesus name, 

Amen

Promises

2 Cor. 7:1

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 

The conclusion of chapter 6 begins chapter 7. Six ended with For we are the temple of the living  God. Following this,  Paul referred several promises from the OT. #1 God will make His dwelling place among them[those who are the temple of the living God], and walk among them. #2 God will be their God, and they will be His people. #3 If we go out from among those unclean and separate ourselves touching no unclean thing, then he will welcome them. #4 He will be a father to them, and they will be sons and daughters to Him. 

The original location of these great promises was Is. 53:11, and their original readers were the Jews, God's chosen people. But Paul now used this quotation to refer to believers, Jews and Gentiles alike. Because the temple of the living God is no longer in Jerusalem, but is in each believer, these verses apply to us as well. We are His chosen people, and His words are written on our hearts. Our circumcision is not physical but one of the heart. Our relationship with Him is based on grace and faith, belief granted to us by God, and not on works of the law, anything that we have done. It no longer is an issue of outward actions but of inward belief.

But Paul says now, Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. Our obedience and outward actions follow salvation not earn salvation. The promises of God become the reason and the impetus for our obedience. In love, we must cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the body and spirit. Our old patterns of living must be put off and our new way of living put on. We must desire our bodies to be sanctified practically. When we are saved, we are covered with the imputed righteousness of Christ. God sees us as Christ is. But the hang up is that as we live in the here and now, and until we meet Christ in the air, we are still in the flesh and we must grow into this new way of living, this sanctification each day. We must bring holiness to completion in the fear of God. We will see Him and be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. On that day, in that moment, our sanctification will be complete. In that moment our flesh will be dropped away forever, and we will become the spiritual beings we have truly longed to be. But until that day, we must cleanse ourselves every day from every defilement of our flesh and spirit. If we don't, what does the temple of the living God that dwells in us look like? Are we besmirching the greatest gift given to man? Such filth is abhorrent to God and should be to us as well. Perhaps this cleansing is truly next to godliness. 

Father,

Convict  me mightily so that I might see the depth of my filth. I want to be obedient and clean. Help me to do that. Give me Your grace and strength.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Now is the Favorable time

2 Cor. 6:1-2

Working together with Him, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold now is the favorable time; behold now is the day of salvation. 

Paul was so committed to the gospel that he and his team did nothing to create obstacles in any person's way. They wanted nothing to be the fault of their ministry. Such commitment is honorable. I wonder if we are concerned about getting in the way of the Holy Spirit. Do we value our personal freedoms so much that we don't even allow the thought of an obstacle enter our brains. Regardless it was very much in Paul's thoughts. 

As servants of God they commended themselves in every way:  by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. As I read this list, I am overwhelmed and shamed. Many of these areas I have not even considered. But Paul's conclusion said it all, Their heart was wide open. They would do any and all things so that someone might find Jesus as their savior and then grow in Him as believers.

So what would be the hangup? You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. It was not the team, but the Corinthian's own affections. They were hanging on to affections that consumed them before they knew Christ; and consequently, they desired to have their foot in both camps. But Jesus is not that way. He is a one-way Savior.! There is no yoke between believers and unbelievers, no accord with Jesus and Satan, and no agreement with the temple of God and idols. Whatever they were hanging onto was compromising the temple of the Holy Spirit, their own bodies. As they indulged the flesh, they were negating Jesus Christ. Paul's heart was grieved by this so he reminded them of this great truth. Will they  listen enough to stop their fleshly behaviors? Do they love Jesus enough to live like their bodies are the temple of the Spirit? The same goes for me. I must take a hard look at my heart and make sure no idol [no matter how small or big] is taking up residence where it has no right to be.

Father,
Thank You for this word. Reveal to me my heart. Help me to live every moment in the reality that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Why Share?

2 Cor. 5:11

Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.

Paul desired the Corinthians to know why he was so adamant about sharing Jesus. To begin with, Paul feared the Lord. He knew that one day "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. This concept is pretty compelling not just for Paul but for us as well. We love and serve the same Lord, and will appear before the same judgment seat. Paul described his fervor as beside himself. Sharing the Lord had consumed him. It was his one desire each and every day. The burden of seeing those who claimed Christ live for him was equally as strong. What is our one desire every day? 

Secondly, Paul said that the love of Christ controlled him. Just knowing that Christ had died for all to give them new life was all the motivation he needed. Why did Jesus do this? So that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Once we are saved, we have one purpose, that is to live for Jesus. We should be as beside ourselves as Paul was. Are we?

Finally, God has given Paul, and all who believe, the ministry of reconciliation. In Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Quite a message we have to share! It was the most exciting thing to Paul, but what about us? Are we excited by this message of reconciliation? Does Christ's love control us, our every thought, word, and action? Paul concluded with Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. Because of all these reasons Paul could implore the people on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God, to accept the One who knew no sin but was made to be sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. What a glorious outcome! 

Father,

I confess I do not share as I should. My enthusiasm is sadly lacking. Lord, help me. Open my eyes to see the opportunities You have placed before me. Lord, I want to be faithful to do what You want me to do. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

So We Do Not Lose Heart.

2 Cor 4:1

Therefore having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose hope. 

Paul makes a declaration that should be at the heart of every believer, that is, that whatever ministry or mission God has called you to do, you must stay steadfast. You do not lose hope even if what you are doing doesn't progress in a way that equates to human success. The ways of God are not always the ways of man. Speaking of his ministry, Paul stated that they only spoke the open truth. If the gospel was veiled, it was veiled only to those perishing. In which case, the god of this world had blinded their minds to keep them from seeing the saving gospel, the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Paul and his teams never proclaimed themselves but Jesus Christ as Lord. They were merely His servants for God had shone in their hearts the glorious gospel through the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. For all these reasons, they did not lose hope! 

Next Paul wrote some verses that I have clung to so many times. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. The reason for their and my earthly existence is to show that the surpassing power belongs to God! It matters not how great the struggle [even though I may think that we I will not survive] because it is all demonstrates that the life of Jesus is manifested in our bodies as we daily carry in our bodies the death of Jesus. We who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake. Ouch! This is a hard verse.  In the case of Paul, he and his team faced physical death repeatedly, and in many places around the world this is true as well. But in America, it is not yet true.  I praise God for this, but also wonder how slack it has made our Christianity. Paul is confident that God will raise them from the death and bring them into the presence of God. So for the sake of the people yet to hear, he shared the gospel regardless of the persecution. I have this same confidence. I know that God will raise me up into His presence for eternity. So I do no lose heart!

Then Paul ended the chapter with the same idea. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. These verses are my life! Not from persecution but from disease, my outer self is wasting away daily. This wasting away causes me to look to the things that are unseen and eternal. It causes me to yearn for heaven and Jesus. It also gives me a peace and a purpose about what is happening to my outer self. I am sure that Paul felt a similar way. I would think that persecution would make this experience even greater. As I write these words, I think of Saeed imprisoned in Iran or other Christians who pay the supreme cost for believing. I pray for him and them that they do not lose heart.

Father,

Keep my eyes focused on eternal things, on You and Jesus Christ. As my body wastes away, grow me in Your grace so that I may share with those you placed in my life right until you take me home. Thank You Lord, for providing me a way to keep hopeful. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Fragrance of Life to Life

2 Cor. 2:17

For we are not like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 

Paul had thanked God for leading him specifically where he should go, in fact, always in a triumphal procession, and through them [Paul and those who minister with him] spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. This was his mission, his call. Yet, when he came to Troas, where a door was opened, he could not go in because his spirit was not at rest. Christ was not leading him here. If he had been a common peddler of the word of God, he would have gone in, but he wasn't. He was a representative of Christ, a representative who must follow His bidding. 

Where Christ and the Spirit lead, there will be the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. They were the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance of death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. What a ministry! Is my life an aroma for Christ from life to life? Am I so in tune with Him that I can choose rightly where and when I should go?

Considering the weightiness of this issue, Paul asked a pointed question, Who is sufficient for these things? Who can really know where the fragrance will bring life or death? No one. That is why relying on the Spirit is so important. If they [or us] were retail peddlers of the word of God, it would be different, but they [and us] are men of sincerity, commissioned by God, and in the sight of God to speak only in Christ. Such an identity as this changes everything. Just think to speak all my words only in Christ, total sincerity [no sarcasm or disdain], always remembering who has commissioned me. 

Father,

I want to be one of you sincere speakers who speak in Christ alone. Show me how to be that fragrance from life to life to those who need to hear the message. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Promises

2 Cor. 1:20

For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. 

Paul assured the Corinthians that their [Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy] word was true. There had been no yes and no, no wavering about Jesus Christ. As surely as God is faithful, their word was true and Jesus Christ was true. In Him, in Jesus Christ it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. How glorious is that! Jesus Christ is the conduit for the promises of God to become a reality in our lives. It is God who has established us in Christ, has anointed us as His own, has put His seal upon on, and has given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. We are His undeniably and unchangeably! 

The more I think about the promises of God, the more that I realize that they are our source of power. 2 Pet 1 tells us His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises so that we might become partakers of the divine nature having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. His promises were instrumental in our salvation and are in our sanctification. We must cling to them because they are the source of all things pertaining to life and godliness. They are the Yes found in Jesus Christ. Through them we may utter our Amen to God for His glory. 

Father,

Help me to cling to Your promises constantly and never loosen my grip. Thank You for Jesus in whom all Your promises are Yes, How You have blessed my life!

In Jesus name,

Amen