Posts Tagged ‘2nd Corinthians 10-13’
Scripture reading for November 30th: 2nd Corinthians 10-13
The apostle Paul had heard reports concerning the Corinthians and knew their culture well after living and ministering there for over two years. He was planning on coming back to deal with some of their ongoing problems and besetting sins and wrote them to prepare them for the visit. His words contained a gentle warning that he would have to act to deal with these problems.
“For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.”
The main problem was sins common to most church families. These sins caused division and disorder in the church and grieved those in church leadership. Quarreling and jealousy caused many people to have an attitude against others. Slander and gossip spread like gangrene and brought decay to the members of the church. Disunity and factions developed that further eroded the church’s ability to function as a strong witness for Christ.
The only way out of sin is repentance! The only way to truly repent is to first examine yourself. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless of course, you fail the test?” Are you living by faith in Jesus Christ? Is Christ dwelling in you daily and are you allowing His life to flow through you? If not, repent of the flesh and begin walking by the Spirit! Paul’s prayer for these Corinthians was for their perfection! (2nd Corinthians 13:9-11) He told them to aim for perfection! Without a goal of holiness, they would not make progress and the apostle would have to rebuke them!
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2nd Corinthians 13:14) With the Holy Trinity dwelling with you, you will not fail the test!
Dear Friends,
Welcome to another day of rest! This cycle of working 6 and resting one day is really a gift from God for us! God knows that we really need rest! The rest we need is from trying to work for His approval! In Christ, we are completely approved and accepted in the beloved! Let’s enter this day fully resting in Christ!
In order to complete our reading this year, we must read for 5 more Sundays! In our devotion, I have picked out several key scriptures to meditate on today. May you find God speaking to you through His Word!
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” 2nd Corinthians 10:4-5
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”" “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That’s why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? 2nd Corinthians 13:5
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2nd Corinthians 13:14
Resting in His matchless love, Pastor John