Real Love.

1 John 4

This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. – 1 John 4:10 NLT

John has been talking a lot about living a life where our actions match our confession – where what we do lines up with what we say we believe. And this chapter continues that theme. He hammers home once again that our lives should be characterized by love – for God and for one another. Why? Because love comes from God (Vs 7). The very capacity we have to love is a gift from God and reveals that we belong to Him. It also reveals to the world around us that God exists and is at work in us. "No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us" (Vs 12 NLT). God has given us His Spirit, who in turn gives us the capacity to love.We give evidence of God's presence in us through the love that flows from us.

But John's main point seems to be that we get to experience real love by remembering what God did for us on the cross. He sent His own Son to die on our behalf. Jesus took our place and our punishment upon Himself. He paid the price we could not pay. He wiped clean the insurmountable debt we owed by sacrificing His own life. This is the doctrine of propitiation. Sounds like a big theological term, but it's really quite simple. It comes from the Greek word hilasmos which means "an appeasing or propitiation." Verse 10 is translated this way in the New American Standard Version: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Back in chapter two, John states, “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” ( 1 John 2:2 NASB). The doctrine of propitiation means that the person and death of Jesus Christ appeased or turned away God’s wrath, satisfying His holiness by meeting His righteous demands. In other words, Jesus’ sacrifice made it possible for God to be propitious (or favorable) to us. God is Holy and cannot tolerate evil. In fact, as a holy God, He had to punish evil and mete out justice. That justice demanded death. The wrath of God against the sinfulness and rebellion of mankind could only be satisfied by His just demands being met. Someone had to pay. The problem was that man was in no condition to pay the price that God demanded. So we stood before God's wrath fully deserving His verdict of "guilty" and His sentence of death and eternal separation from Him. But God stepped in with His own solution. He showed His love by coming up with a perfect plan that involved His perfect, sinless Son.  Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross satisfied all the requirements of God's justice, turned away His wrath, and reconciled or restored us to a relationship with Him. John says, "That's real love!" He loved us at our worst. He loved us when we didn't deserve love. He loved us when we couldn't love Him back. Paul puts it this way, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8 NLT). So John's logical conclusion is, "since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other" (Vs 11 NLT). God's incredible love for us is the motivation behind our love for one another. Just how much has God loved us? "God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him" (Vs 9 NLT).

As John so clearly puts it, "We love, because He first loved us" (Vs 19 NASB). You can't say you love God and then turn around and hate your brother (Vs 20). "If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see?" (Vs 20 MSG). If you are loved by God, and you are, then you should love God in return. More than that, you should love others with the same kind of love He has shown you. As Charles Ryrie so aptly puts it, "To live a love-filled life is to live a God-filled life."

Father, thank You for Your incredible love for me. I didn't deserve it. I still don't deserve it, but I bask in it every single day of my life. Help me learn to love my brothers and sisters in Christ with the same selfless, sacrificial love. So that the world may know that You live within me. By this will they know that we are Your Son's disciples, if we love one another (John 13:35). Amen

The Proof Is In the Pudding.

1 John 3

Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. – 1 John 3:18 NLT

My wife loves it when I say, "I love you!" But she loves it even more when I show here how much I love her with actions that express my love for her. If all I ever did was express my love in words, but never backed it up with tangible, heart-felt acts of kindness and love, she would begin to question the truth behind my words. With that in mind, today's blog is like a part two of yesterday's blog, "Talk Is Cheap." John seems to be the same basic thought by continuing to stress love in action. Our lives are to be characterized by Christ-likeness. We are to live in purity and sinlessness, so much so that we stand out as children of God, rather than children of the devil (Vs 10). One of the ways we express our Christ-likeness is through our love for one another. John reminds them: "This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another" (Vs 11 NLT). Our love for one another is proof or evidence that we are in Christ and have His Spirit living within us. "If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead" (Vs 14 NLT). What kind of love are we talking about? Is it a sentimental, Hallmark Card kind of love expressed only in words? No. John makes it clear that the kind of love he is talking about is the kind of love that Christ showed to us. "We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters" (Vs 16 NLT).

You see, real love is tangible. It is measurable. The proof is in the pudding as the old saying goes. In fact, the original phrase was "the proof of the pudding is in the eating." It meant that the true value or quality of something can only be judged when it is put to use. In other words, results are what counts. Isn't that what John is saying? "Let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions" (Vs 18 NLT). What are the results of our so-called love for one another? Is the abiding love of Christ in us showing up in abiding love for others? Do we love as He loved?

"And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us" (Vs 23 NLT).

Father, You have expressed Your love for me by sending Your own Son to die in my place for my sins. You continue to show Your love to me every day by continuing to shower me with Your grace and mercy when what I really deserve is Your wrath and justice. Yet I find it hard to love others. I can mouth the words and claim to love them, but so often fail to back it up with actions. Your Son showed His love by dying for me. The first step in learning to love others more is for me to learn to die to myself. To give up my rights, my will, and my own comfort for the good of others. Amen

Walk The Talk.

1 John 2

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did. – 1 John 2:6 NLT

Our confession should be backed up with action. What we say we believe should show up in how we behave. John was really clear on this. But this was not some new kind of teaching. He was just expanding on the very words of Jesus found in the Great Commission: "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT). Jesus Himself taught that His disciples would be marked by a life of obedience to His commands. Obedience to His commands would mean that every one of His disciples would live a different kind of life. So John is simply teaching what Jesus taught when he says, "And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By obeying his commandments. If someone says, 'I belong to God,' but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and does not live in the truth. But those who obey God’s word really do love him. That is the way to know whether or not we live in him" (1 John 2:3-5 NLT). Our obedience to His commands is proof that we belong to God. It is how we know whether or not we really belong to Him. It is the evidence of our new relationship. Because without a relationship with Christ we would not even have a desire or an inclination to obey His commands.

John says that we should live as Jesus did. What does He mean by that? For one thing, it means that we are to live in submission to the Father. Also, we are to live in complete dependence upon the Father and in absolute obedience to His desires. Jesus did. Jesus also lived a life of sacrificial service to mankind. So should we. But the temptation is to live with the spotlight focused on us and our needs and desires. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. He came to give Himself away, not to have others give to Him. In doing so, He was doing the will of the Father. One of the greatest evidences that we have an abiding relationship with God is the love that we show for one another. John says, "Anyone who loves other Christians is living in the light and does not cause anyone to stumble" (Vs 10 NLT). Jesus Himself said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples" (John 13:35 NLT).

We are to love and live as Jesus did. Our walk should match our talk. How we behave should line up with what we say we believe. We are to love one another. We are to live in obedience to God. We are NOT to love the world or the things of this world. Our lives are to be characterized by Christ-likeness. We are to follow His example. We are to live as He lived. We are to love as He loved. We are to give as He gave. We are to do as He did. We are to walk the talk.

Father, may my life be increasingly more marked by Christ-likeness. May obedience to His commands be what motivates me and marks me as one of Your children. Amen

So You Say?

1 John 1

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. – 1 John 1:6 NASB

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. – 1 John 1:8 NASB

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. – 1 John 1:10 NASB

Three times in the opening of this little letter, John uses this little phrase, "if we say." And all three seem to have to do with saying or claiming something that is not really true. I say I have fellowship with God, but I still live in darkness (sin). I say I have no sin, but the reality is I do and I'm everyone knows it but me. I say I have never sinned, but by claiming that I contradict the word of God and make Him out to be a liar. Saying it doesn't make it so. Words really are cheap. What I say really doesn't matter if it isn't backed up by truth and lived out in reality. I can say I believe in God, love God, worship God, and fear and respect God, but if it doesn't show up in my daily life, it is nothing but lip-service and empty words.

John seems to be calling us to live it, not say it. Do it, not just claim it. He says, "if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another" (Vs 7 NASB). In other words, if we live lives that are in obedience to God and in daily fellowship with God, then it will be evident in the way we live with one another. We won't have to say it, because others will see it. It will be visible proof that the blood of Jesus has cleansed us from all sin. John goes on to address this issue of sin. He says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (Vs 9 NASB). All we have to do is agree with God about the fact that we are sinners who sin. Confess it. Admit it. Fess up to it. To do so reveals that we have the truth of God's word in us. To deny it just shows that we never really heard the truth. And one important point here is that we realize that to NOT confess is to say that we have no sin. When we refuse to confess, it is as if we are telling God that we have no sin to confess. We might as well just come out and say so. That's John's third point. Lack of confession is basically saying to God that we have not sinned. Every time we sin and refuse to confess it, we are telling God He is a liar, because God says we all sin. On top of that, His Holy Spirit personally convicts us of sin on a daily basis. His Word convicts us of sin. When that happens and we choose to ignore the sin in our lives and not confess it, we make Him out to be a liar. We are telling God that He is wrong.

So what do you say? Do you walk in the Light? Do you confess? Are your actions more powerful than your words? Do your actions speak louder than your words? John says, "God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (Vs 5 NASB). Are you living in that Light? If so, it will be evident to all those around you, no matter what you say.

Father, may our actions speak louder than our words. May we be a people who are known by how we live in the Light, not just what we have to say about it. When we fail to live in the Light, may we be willing to confess it and accept your forgiveness. Not deny it and claim to have never done it. Words are cheap. Your grace was not. Amen

Glory To God!

Jude

And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and forevermore. Amen. – Jude 24-25 NLT

Jude may be a short letter, but it is long enough to be a little bit depressing. In it, Jude, the brother of James, is attempting to defend the faith against false teaching that was popping up in the churches of his day. This was a dangerous time for the church. Gnostic teaching, which basically glorified the spiritual and diminished the material, was encouraging believers to cultivate their "spiritual" lives, while at the same time doing whatever they wanted to do with their bodies – because it really didn't matter. So the result was an increasing amount of immorality. The bottom line was that Christians were being tempted to believe one way and act another. So Jude felt a responsibility to address these issues. He warns them of "certain persons who have crept in unnoticed" (Vs 4 NASB). He describes these false teachers as "dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are shameless in the way they care only about themselves. They are like clouds blowing over dry land without giving rain, promising much but producing nothing. They are like trees without fruit at harvest time. They are not only dead but doubly dead, for they have been pulled out by the roots. They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the dirty foam of their shameful deeds. They are wandering stars, heading for everlasting gloom and darkness" (Vs 12-13 NLT).

Hidden reefs – destructive, but out of sight where you can't see them

Waterless clouds – promising, but never deliver on their promise

Fruitless trees – seemingly healthy, but as good as dead because they have nothing to offer

Wild waves – directionless, dangerous, and destructive

Wandering stars – you can't count on them to be there, so you can't navigate your life by them

These "teachers" were not just a nuisance, they were a danger and Jude warns his readers to watch out for them. These same kinds of individuals exist in and around the church today. They write books, produce TV shows, pastor churches, fill up the Internet with their thoughts, and even write blogs. But we must be careful. Jude calls them as "people who don't take these things seriously anymore. They'll treat them like a joke, and make a religion of their own whims and lusts. These are the ones who split churches, thinking only of themselves. There's nothing to them, no sign of the Spirit! (Vs 18-19 MSG). Sounds a lot like today doesn't it? Which means we have to be just as careful in 21st-Century America. So what are we supposed to do?

Jude says to "continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit. Live in such a way that God’s love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. There are still others to whom you need to show mercy, but be careful that you aren’t contaminated by their sins" (Vs 20-23 NLT). Grow spiritually. Pray fervently. Live righteously. Show mercy constantly. Rescue the wavering. Stay pure! Then he gives us his incredible benediction. Remember that it is God who is able to keep you from stumbling. He is the one who will protect you and keep you strong until the end. Rely on Him. Lean on Him. Give Him the glory He deserves. He is in control even when things appear to be completely out of control. He is our hope, our help, and our security in the storm.

Father, to You be all the glory, majesty, dominion and authority. Amen

Examine Your Faith.

2 Corinthians 13

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test. – Vs 5 NLT

Paul ends his letter to the Corinthians with a challenge. He tells them that he is going to be coming to see them again, but prior to his visit he challenges them to test themselves. He wants them to examine themselves to see if their faith is real or not. In the Greek, the word yourselves is placed first for emphasis: "yourselves, examine." They are to take a corporate look at their collective faith. He wants them to "examine" themselves to prove the worth or genuineness of their faith. The word he uses for faith is pistis and in this context it denotes profession. The Corinthians were professing a belief in Christ, but was their life matching that profession? If the life of the congregation is not in conformity with the truths of the gospel, it negates any claim to standing firm in the faith. Paul reminded Timothy, " I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15 NASB). The church holds up the truth of the gospel by the manner in which we live it out. We prove the gospel true with our lives. When we profess one thing and do another, we undermine the foundation of the life-transforming claims of the gospel message. That is why Paul was challenging the Corinthians to examine themselves. He knew that true profession results in true life change and a life characterized by "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). When those things are lacking within the community of Christ, there is cause to do some serious self-examination regarding our profession.

Paul even uses a little bit of sarcasm to get his point across. He says, "If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you…" He questions whether they even have the capacity to recognize Christ's presence among them. Paul is not really asking if Jesus is indwelling the individual. That is ultimately where he is headed. but what he seems to be saying is that the condition of their fellowship was such that it was almost impossible for them to recognize Christ as being active right in the midst of them. They had reached a point where they were failing to recognize the authority of Paul and the activity of God in the middle of their fellowship. They were questioning Paul's apostleship, ignoring God's activity in their lives, and were out of touch with genuine evidence of the Spirit's work in their community. Don't we run the same risk? We can reach a point where we are no longer able to recognize God's activity among us as His people.

As the people of God we should be experiencing and expecting the power of God to be at work in our midst. If it is not, then we must do some serious examination of what it is we say we believe. We must examine ourselves to see if our faith is really genuine. If we do not see God's activity in and around us, Paul says we fail the test. Our profession is not real. Fruitlessness is the sign of a dead faith.

Paul's prayer was that they would do what is right (Vs 8), that they be made complete (Vs 9), be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace, so that God of love and peace would be with them (Vs 11). Paul's desire was that they examine themselves. He wanted them to wrestle with the reality of whether or not their profession of having saving faith was real. And this was not just to be an individual examination, but a group effort. As a congregation, they were to take a up-close and personal look at each others' lives to see whether they were exhibiting the fruit of a genuine faith in Christ. For the church to uphold the truth, it must live out the truth. It must stand on the truth. It must prove the viability and reliability of the truth through daily life together. So that the world may know that the gospel really does work.

Father, give us the strength and the guts to examine ourselves to see if our faith is real. Help us to be honest and examine whether or not what we say we believe is what we really do believe – as individuals and as the body of Christ. May we be willing to ask why we do not see Christ more active among us. The problem is not with Him, but with us. Reveal to us the true nature of our confession so we can experience the true nature of the gospel. Amen

His Grace Is Enough.

2 Corinthians 12

My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. – Vs 9 NET

God's grace is enough. It is His gracious favor that He gives to me – not based on merit, but on His love for me. Grace is God giving me what I could never earn any other way. In this case, Paul is talking about the power He gives me in spite of my weakness. This isn't just any old power, it is His power in me. It is the power of God available in my weak human flesh. I love this definition of grace:

It is the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtue. – Thayer's Greek Lexicon

Paul is talking about the strengthening part of God's grace. He knew his strength came from God, not himself. That is why he could say, "I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me" (NLT). Paul knew that the key to tapping into God's strength was admitting his own weakness. But that's hard for some of us to do. We want to think of ourselves as strong, intelligent, capable, qualified, gifted, talented, and worthy to be honored and praised. And so we spend way too much time trying to convince others of our strengths. We try to live life in our own power. We work harder. We do more. We strive to impress. We crave recognition and desire to be noticed for all our hard work and effort. But all the while God is simply asking us to admit our weakness so that He can provide us with His strength. The word used for God's power in this verse is the Greek word dunamis. Sound familiar? It is the word from which we get dynamite, dynamic, and dynamo. This isn't just some kind of 5-hour energy drink that gives us a boost to make it through the day. This is the indwelling power of God that makes it possible to do incredible feats of spiritual strength that would be otherwise impossible for us. Think about all the things Paul endured. He gives us a partial list in verse 10: "Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities" (NLT). How did Paul handle all that he went through? By the power of God. That is why he says he is content or "takes pleasure" in his weakness. Listen to how The Message paraphrases verse 10:

Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size – abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

He just let Christ take over. He allowed Christ to do what only Christ could do. You see, our strength is God's rival. But our weakness is His servant. To put it another way, man's extremity is God's opportunity. Man's security is Satan's opportunity. Our weaknesses are really a blessing. But we need to acknowledge them, even boast about them. Then ask God to step into them and do what only He can do. Utilize His power in us and through us. So He gets all the glory.

Father, forgive me for trying to ignore my weaknesses and for thinking that I have enough strength in and of myself to accomplish Your work. How arrogant and prideful I can be. But You faithfully continue to reveal to me my abundant weaknesses – through my own failures, through circumstances, by allowing me to come to an end of my resources and by letting me grow tired and weak from all my own self-effort. But You have also shown me Your power – time and time again. Your way is always better. Your power is always greater. Help me to boast about my own weaknesses even more, so that I can experience Your power even more. Amen

Taking Pride In Weakness.

2 Corinthians 11

If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. – Vs 30 NLT

This is a common theme of Paul's: his weakness. Even though he felt compelled to defend his apostleship because of libelous attacks from false apostles; and could brag about his credentials as good Jew, a descendant of Abraham, and a servant of Christ who had suffered repeatedly in his service to Christ, he knew his real strength was found in his own weakness. He goes on to describe it this way in chapter 12: "Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT). Paul knew the only thing he had to "brag" or boast about was his weakness. Listen to what he says in chapter 13 of this same letter: "Although he [Christ] died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God. We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God’s power – the power we use in dealing with you" (2 Corinthians 13:4 NLT). Paul was content with being weak, because he knew that his life and ministry was based on God's power, not his own. Our strength comes in acknowledging our own weakness and need for God's power.

God's way of doing things is radically different than the world's way of doing things. In fact, in his previous letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminded them that, "God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God" (1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NLT).

Paul was having to defend his credentials and his credibility as an apostle, and he was not comfortable having to do so. He didn't like having to "boast" about himself, because he knew that anything he had done was due to the power of God within him. But circumstances were calling for himself to go on the defensive in order to protect the flock in Corinth. Paul was intensely concerned for their spiritual well-being. He told them, "Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?" (2 Corinthians 11:29 NLT). Paul was being forced to defend himself against attacks in order to get the Corinthian believers to acknowledge his role as their shepherd. But he was not comfortable with the situation. Paul was not one to boast. In fact, he once told Timothy, "This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – and I was the worst of them all" (1 Timothy 1:15 NLT). Paul knew who he really was. He knew his weaknesses. And he knew where his strength came from. He also knew where his strength came from. And that was the one thing he was willing to boast about.

Father, give me an increasing awareness of my own weakness. Thank You that you expose me to my own weakness each and every day. I am becoming increasingly aware that I do not have what it takes to live the life You have called me to live. I can't do it in my own strength. I can't even conquer the sin in my own life without Your help. What do I have to boast about? Nothing, without You! So help me to boast about my weakness, because that is when I best realize that I need You. Amen

Fighting "Friendly" Fire.

2 Corinthians 10

With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. – Vs 5 NLT

When I think of this verse, it has almost always been out of its context. In other words, I tend to fail to read it or use it within the context in which Paul first penned it under the influence of the Holy Spirit. If you read it in one of the more traditional translations you'll see what I mean. The New American Standard Bible translates it this way: "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." I read that and automatically think of it as a personal statement. This is something that I am supposed to be doing in my own life. In other words, this verse is about me taking every one of my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. I am supposed to destroy speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God in my life. While that is probably a wise and true thing to do, it is NOT what Paul meant. When he said, "for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses" (Vs 4 NASB), he wasn't referring to "fortresses" in our own lives as believers. He wasn't talking about doing spiritual battle with the forces of the enemy attacking us personally. No, this chapter is about war being waged within the church. Paul's leadership is being attacked from within. There are those in the church in Corinth who are questioning his leadership. These individuals were questioning Paul's apostolic authority and following "false" apostles. He describes them as such in the next chapter: "For such men false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:13 NASB).

These men were apparently Hebrew believers (11:22) who claimed to have a spiritual superiority over Paul (10:7) and who were trying to take advantage of the rest of the believers in the church (11:20). These people were claiming that Paul had no divine influence in his life. That's what Paul meant when he described them as, "people who think that we live by the standards of this world" (Vs 2 NIV). They were attacking Paul's leadership, authority, divine direction, and his integrity. And he viewed it as a war. "We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods" (Vs 3 NLT). Instead, "we use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds" (Vs 4 NLT). Paul knew this was a spiritual battle. He knew he had to "break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God." He had to use spiritual weapons to "conquer their rebellious ideas." He had a responsibility to "teach them to obey Christ" (Vs 5 NLT).

The war goes on today. Even within the church of Jesus Christ. There will always be those who question the authority of leadership. There are those who come into the church with selfish motives and destructive desires. They will either unwittingly or knowingly keep people from knowing God. They will foster rebellious ideas against leadership in the church. Paul says the way to handle these kinds of people is to battle with them in the spiritual realm. Through prayer and in the power of God. He knew he needed God's help in destroying "fortresses" – those false arguments and reasonings people use to fortify and defend their opinions. He knew he needed God's help in exposing their "speculations" – those ideas that are hostile to God. He knew he needed God's power to tear down the "lofty ideas" – those barriers or walls of ideas erected by men that were keeping others from having access to the gospel.

That's the battle and it is still going on today. This isn't just about me fighting my own little spiritual battle inside my own life. This is about the spiritual integrity and health of the church. Paul was willing to fight for it. Not just to defend his name and reputation. Not just to protect his power base. But because the gospel was under attack. He had been given a job to do by God and he was going to do it. He was going to fight to protect the flock in Corinth and to finish what God had called him to do. "Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you" (Vs 13 NLT).

Father, give me an increasing heart for the local church and the global church. It is under attack today. From within. There are those who would love to distract us and ultimately destroy us from within. Open our eyes to the spiritual warfare taking place inside the body of Christ today. Give us boldness to speak up and to tear down false ideas and destructive ideas that would prevent others from knowing the truth of Jesus Christ. Raise up more Pauls in the church today. Amen

When We Give, Everyone Gets More.

2 Corinthians 9

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. – Vs 12 NIV

Paul has been talking about giving. He is encouraging the Corinthians believers to take part in raising financial support for the church in Jerusalem where the people are undergoing financial hardship and religious persecution. He has used the Macedonion believers as examples of what it means to give. Now he continues to exhort the Corinthians to be a part of this vital ministry by reminding that this is about more than just giving money. Ultimately, this is about God's glory. Our giving goes beyond the meeting of some other person's financial need. That is just the beginning. First of all, when we give, we allow God to give back to us. "You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the 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" (Vs 7-8 NLT). When we give cheerfully, willingly, and generously, we give God the opportunity to give back to us. This is not the reason we give. In other words, we don't give to get. God is not some kind of investment strategy for financial security. No, we give because it is a characteristic we have as one of His followers. We give and God gives back to us so that we might be able to give again. We meet the needs of others and he meets our needs. It is the law of sowing and reaping. "Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop" (Vs 6 MSG). We can't out-give God. He will give us all we need to give and to live, and even more beyond that in the way of righteous living. "For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God" (Vs 10-11 NLT). The end of verse 11 tells us of someone else who benefits from our generous giving. It's God. When we give to meet the needs of others, they are blessed and respond in thanksgiving to God. Paul says that our giving is evidence of our obedience to God. It is an outward act that shows what is going on inside us. "For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all" (Vs 12-13 NASB).

We give and others get. The ones in need get much-needed financial support. We get the blessings of God in the form of a miraculous sufficiency in everything. He gives us what we need to meet our own needs, but also to continue meeting the needs of others. He makes sure we can continue being generous and not run out of resources. So those we support get and so do we. But then the most important recipient is God, because He gets praise and glory for being the One who made it all possible. He gets the honor of being the One who gave us the heart and the capacity to give in the first place. He gets the recognition for being the One who supplies all the resources to meet the needs of His children all across the world. God gets the glory!

So why don't we give more? I guess because we don't believe the law of the harvest. We live as if the seed we have is all we have. We are afraid to sow it because we don't trust that it will come back to us. There is a great deal of trust involved in this process. Those in need are having to trust God to meet their need. Those of us who are being led by God to meet that need are having to trust Him that He will meet any needs we might have as a result of our giving. But Paul reminds us that our God can be trusted. If we sow, we will reap. He will multiply our seed for sowing and increase the harvest of our righteousness. We will never run out of seed. Do you believe that? Are you willing to put it to the test? Jesus Himself said, "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving––large or small––it will be used to measure what is given back to you" (Luke 6:38 NLT).

Father, I want to be more of a giver. Forgive me for not trusting You to meet my needs if I meet the needs of others. I can't out-give You. Give me the boldness to step out in faith and begin to live a life of generosity. So that you might receive glory. Amen

Giving Comes Naturally To Those Given To God.

2 Corinthians 8

Since you excel in so many ways – you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us – now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. – Vs 7 NLT

I love The Message paraphrase of this verse: "You do so well in so many things – you trust God, you're articulate, you're insightful, you're passionate, you love us – now, do your best in this, too." Paul was encouraging the Corinthian believers to follow the example of their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in the churches in Macedonia. "Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will" (Vs 2-3 NLT). In spite of difficult circumstances and financial tough times, these people were giving sacrificially, above and beyond even their ability to give. They had taken up a collection for the believers in Jerusalem who were also undergoing persecution and financial difficulty. They could have easily opted out and excused themselves from giving, but instead they excelled at it! So much so, that Paul used them as examples to the believers in Corinth.

The Corinthians believers excelled at a lot of things: faith, speaking, knowledge, enthusiasm, and love. But they were obviously slacking in their practice of grace giving. It would seem that they had yet to support Paul in any of his missionary endeavors. And now that he was raising money to take back to the church in Jerusalem, they had yet to contribute to that either. It would seem, that to Paul, the gracious giving of their finances to help support and encourage other believers was just as important as any other acts of faith or service they may accomplish. Look at what Paul says about them. He says, " They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem" (Vs 4 NLT). They begged us again and again. They pleaded with Paul to take the money they had raised for the Jerusalem church. Their giving was a natural outflow of their relationship with God. "This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives" (Vs 5 MSG). Giving came naturally to them because they were given to God. They were sold out to God for His use and His will. So when God laid it on their heart to help their fellow believers by giving, they could not resist. They HAD to give.

What a convicting chapter this is. How many times have I failed to give because I didn't think I could afford to give. Or how many times have I given, but only what I could afford to give. No sacrifice. No pain. These people weren't giving out of their abundance, but out of their need. They were giving to others what they legitimately needed for their own existence. And they did it willingly! In doing so, they were following their Savior's example. "You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich" (Vs 9 NLT). It reminds me of Paul's words in Philippians chapter two:

Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. – Philippians 2:5-9 NLT

Jesus excelled at giving. So should we. Jesus gave all He had. So should we. Jesus gave till it hurt. So should we. Jesus gave willingly and sacrificially. So should I.

Father, forgive me for my selfishness. Thank You for this reminder to give. Not reluctantly, but willingly and sacrificially. But I know it will only happen as I give myself to You completely. Selfishness is just a reminder of my own self-centeredness. It reveals that I am not as sold out to You as I should be. If I truly belong to You, then all I have belongs to You. Then giving it away to others becomes not only easy, but enjoyable. May that be increasingly more the case in my life – with Your help. Amen

Godly Sorrow.

2 Corinthians 7

For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death. – Vs 10 NLT

It seems Paul had written a third letter to the Corinthian believers that we no longer have. He refers to it in this chapter. Evidently Paul had addressed a difficult topic in his letter that had brought sadness to his readers, because he wrote, "I am no longer sorry that I sent that letter to you, though I was sorry for a time, for I know that it was painful to you for a little while" (Vs 8 NLT). We're not sure what the content of that letter was, but it was strongly worded enough so that it caused the believers in Corinth to reconsider their ways and make changes to their behavior. "Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to have remorse 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" (Vs 9 NLT). Paul's words, though hurtful, were in the end helpful. They caused his fellow believers to have to take stock of their lives and repent of their ways. His words caused sorrow in their lives, but that sorrow led then to seek repentance – to turn away from sin and seek salvation.

Sometimes that is how God works in our lives. Through His Word or the words of one of His messengers, He convicts us of sin and creates in us a sorrow for our actions. But at that point we still have a choice to make. We can wallow in our sorrow and sadness, or we can choose to turn away from our sin and seek salvation. We can choose to repent. In the Greek the word repent means "a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done." It carries the idea of guilt, but with reformation. It is to change direction through changed behavior. Repentance includes reformation and restoration. We must come to God, confess our sin, turn from it, and then He restores us. He brings us salvation by saving us from our own sinfulness.

But if all we do is experience the guilt and the sorrow, it will produce nothing. There is not benefit. Paul says that kind of sorrow only leads to death. "But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death" (Vs 10b NLT). That's worldly sorrow. It is a sorrow without benefits. It produces nothing of value – only death. But godly sorrow brings about effective change. "Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish the wrongdoer. You showed that you have done everything you could to make things right" (Vs 11 NLT). Godly sorrow produced a positive response. They reacted, not with debilitating guilt and regret, but with positive steps of repentance and reformation. They did everything they could to make things right. They went from guilt to innocence. Instead of death, they experienced renewed life.

God is speaking to us daily through His word. He convicts and challenges us. He exposes areas of our lives that need to change. We can ignore His words. We can experience guilt because of them. But He wants our sorrow to lead to salvation. He wants our remorse to lead to repentance.

Father, thank You for the convicting power of Your word. It has so often challenged me and exposed areas of my life that need to change. Thank You that it brings about a sorrow, but a sorrow that leads to repentance, not just guilt and regret. You have given me the power to turn from my sin and to seek change. I can experience a sorrow that leads to repentance and reformation. I don't have to remain as I am, but can become increasingly more what You want me to be. Amen

Stand Out From the Crowd.

2 Corinthians 6

Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. – Vs 17a NLT

We are to be different. As Christ followers, we are called to a life of distinctiveness and difference. Ours is not to be a life marked by commonality and more-of-the-sameness. No, we are to stand out from the crowd. Not in a prideful, arrogant way, or in order to draw attention to ourselves, but because we are children of light living in the middle of darkness. Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection has given us new life. He has given us new power through His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are new creations. "What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). "For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives" (Romans 6:4 NLT).

We are not the same anymore. We have been changed and are being changed with each passing day so that we have a greater and greater resemblance to Jesus Christ. "And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more" (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). So instead of blending in, we should stand out. We should be distinctively different. But the sad case is, for many of us, we tend to look and act like the world around us. We have lost our distinctiveness. We have failed to be unique. How? By buying into the lie that to reach the world we must be like the world. We believe that in order to become like them to be liked by them. But Jesus warned His disciples, "The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you" (John 15:19 NLT). In His High Priestly prayer, He asked the Father, "I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am" (John 15:15-16 NLT). We are not of this world anymore. This world is no longer our real home. We are not to have a love affair with this world. Yet we are to live in it. And we are to make a difference while we are here. But we can't do that if we lose our distinctiveness, if we lose our unique flavor as followers of Christ. "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world––like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:13-16 NLT).

We are called to live distinctively different lives. We are called to uniqueness, not uniformity. We are called NOT to live like the world, but to live like Christ in the midst of it. To be salt and light. To add the distinctive flavor of Christ-likeness and the illuminating influence of our Spirit-filled lives. We are to make an impact on the world. Jesus prayed that we would: "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father––that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me" (John 17:20-21 NLT).

Father, You have called me to a life of distinctiveness. But I struggle constantly with conformity to this world. My flesh wants to fit in rather than stand out. I fight the desire to be loved by the world. But Your Son didn't die for me so that I could remain just like I was. He died to give me new life and a new message of hope to a lost and dying world. Help me to live a life of separateness, a life of distinctiveness. Help me to be the salt and light You have called me to be, so that the world will see the difference You can make in a man's life and believe in Your Son who makes it all possible. Amen

WANTED: Dead of Alive.

2 Corinthians 5

So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body. – Vs 9 NLT

Our aim is to please Him – always. Paul had one overwhelming ambition in his life – to please God with his life. He longed to be with the Lord, but was not content to wait for death and eternity to begin living a holy life, wholly pleasing to God. He was going to do it even when he was occupying this temporary dwelling called a human body. In chapter four he referred to his body as an earthen vessel or clay pot that was filled with the priceless treasure of God's gift of salvation. Paul's body, though having been beaten and abused time after time in his service for God, contained the Holy Spirit of God. Yet he says, "Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life" (Vs 4 NLT). Paul looked forward to eternity, but he was not so heavenly minded that he was no earthly good. He was busy serving the Lord, making it his ambition to please God with his life as long as he had life. He makes it quite clear that he would prefer to be with the Lord. "Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord" (Vs 8 NLT). He understood that the Holy Spirit was given to us as a kind of "down-payment" or pledge to remind us of eternity. "God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit" (Vs 5 NLT). God has created us to share eternity with Him. That is our ultimate purpose. But Paul was going to take advantage of every moment of his life on this earth and ensure that he lived a life that was pleasing to God. Thinking about eternal life and the reality of having a renewed body gave Paul courage to live life for God on this earth (Vs 6). It allowed him to live by faith and not by sight (Vs 7). It gave him all the motivation he needed to live a life that was pleasing and acceptable to God.

Father, I want my life to be pleasing and acceptable to You. I want to live the life You have given me on this earth to the fullest and with my goal clearly to please You with all that I do. I understand that any ability I have to please You comes from Your Spirit within me and because of what Christ has done for me. I am a clay pot that contains the priceless treasure of salvation. That is what gives my life value and worth. That is what makes me pleasing to You. May I live my life in such a way that the truth of the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ is evident in my life each and every day.  Amen

Jars of Clay.

2 Corinthians 4

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. – Vs 7 NIV

This is the verse from which this blog derives its name: Vessels of Clay. It is one of my favorite verses because it reminds me of the miracle and mystery of the Gospel message. That "this precious treasure – this light and power that now shine within us – is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own" (NLT). God has placed the priceless treasure of salvation through the death of His Son in this frail, sometime failure-prone body. Why? So that everyone around me might see that anything I do of any worth is based on His power and not mine. It fits right in with our verse from yesterday: "It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5 NLT).

We hold the light of God's truth regarding salvation and sanctification in our earthly bodies. We are common, everyday clay pots – worth little or nothing and having no value in and of themselves. Yet God has chosen to place His own Spirit within us. He has determined to make us the receptacles of His divine power. It reminds me of 2 Timothy 2:20. "In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." You see, the value is NOT in the container, but in the contents of that container. It is God's presence and power that give us worth. This is the message Paul conveyed to the believers in Colossae. "For it has pleased God to tell his people that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. For this is the secret: Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory" (Colossians 1:27 NLT). His presence sanctifies me, sets me apart. His presence makes me holy – I belong to Him and now exist for His use. I am a "vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21 NASB).

Father, thank You choosing to make me a vessel for honor by filling my life with Your presence through the death, burial, and resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ. I am amazed that you would use me, and thrilled that You do. I bring nothing to You, but You have given all to me. Amen

Consider the Source.

2 Corinthians 3

It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. – Vs 5 NLT

What a timely reminder. My only power and success comes from God. Not from me. I can't produce anything of lasting value by myself. Oh, I try. Every day I attempt to do things in my own power and strength. But the long-term results are less-than-stellar. In fact, there are no long-term results of any lasting value. God is the source behind anything I produce that is of value. But it is so easy to forget that fact. I can begin to believe my own PR. I can become a victim of my own reputation. I start to believe what others think and say about me. But Paul reminds me that it isn't about me. It's about God and His Son Jesus Christ. It is they who made me, saved me, are sanctifying me, and empowering me to live a godly life.

As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. – 2 Peter 1:3-7 NLT

God has given me all the resources I need to live a godly life. I find the power I need in the truth of the Gospel message, where I find His promises for not only eternal life, but for this life. "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8 NIV). A life of godliness holds promise for this life – right here, right now. I don't have to wait for heaven! Paul reminds me, "I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need" (Philippians 4:13 NLT). The strength I need comes from Him. The power I need comes from Him. The godliness I desire comes from Him. Anything of value that comes from my life is a result of Him.

And every day I am being transformedincreasingly into the likeness of Jesus Christ – through the indwelling power of God. "And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more" (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT).

Father, thank You that my adequacy comes from You and not me. Never let me forget that I am completely dependent on You for what I need for life and godliness. You are at work in me, transforming me into the likeness of Your Son. Any progress I see is a result of Your work, not mine. Any glimmer of godliness in me is the work of Your Spirit, not my own effort. My power and success comes completely from You. Amen

Captive, Yet Captivating.

2 Corinthians 2

But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. – Vs 14 NLT

The picture Paul uses here is that of a conquering king or general leading a victory procession through the streets of his home town with his captive enemies being paraded behind him as a visible sign of his power and triumph. Paul says that he is one of Christ's captives. He has been "conquered" by Christ and made His slave. This was not a negative to Paul, but a positive. In his letter to the Romans he says this, "Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval" (Romans 6:16 NLT). Paul viewed himself as a willing slave to a new Master – God the Father. His life had been captured by the victorious effort of Jesus Christ on the cross. Christ had defeated sin and death, and now was leading Paul and others in a daily victory celebration that was visible for all to see. This procession is a demonstration of His power. Our place in that parade tells others that we serve a new master and that we no longer serve sin. Unlike conquered soldiers, who were humiliated in the streets and later executed, we are now citizens of the very kingdom we used to war against. We enjoy all the rights and privileges as citizens of the kingdom of God.

Our lives give off a fragrance, an aroma, based on the knowledge we have of Jesus Christ and His life-transforming, sin-defeating power. Again, Paul uses the imagery of the victory procession. At the head of the parade, incense was burned. It was a tangible manifestation of the victor's achievement. We are that incense. Our lives are to give off a sweet-smelling aroma to all those watching. But verse 15 also reminds us that "our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God" (NLT). God is pleased when He sees us being led by Christ. When our lives are "in line" with Christ, it brings joy and pleasure to God. But those in the crowds who are watching this victory parade are also able to "smell" the aroma we give off. Paul says, "To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life–giving perfume" (Vs 16 NLT). Some look at this victory procession and only see death and defeat. They live for the wrong kingdom and do not look on Christ's victory as a pleasant thing. They only see enslavement. They smell death and defeat. They want nothing to do with Christ or us. But others, who are "being saved," are attracted to what they see. They are intrigued by this victory celebration. They look at our lives and are attracted. They are those in the crowd of bystanders who see Christ's victory with a new sense of hope.

"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance" (Vs 14 MSG). Are people breathing in the exquisite fragrance of the knowledge of Christ from my life. I hope so.

Father, I want my life to be a pleasing aroma to You. And I know that it is because it is all based on what Christ has done, not what I am doing. He is the victor, not me. He is the deliverer, not me. You are pleased because of what He has done. I am His slave. And as long as I willingly remain His slave, my life will bring a pleasing aroma to You. It will also give off a fragrance to all those around me. Some will be attracted to it, others will be repulsed by it. I don't need to worry about their reaction, but I just need to remain obedient to Your Son. Help me to do so. Amen

God-dependent. Not self-dependent.

2 Corinthians 1

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have been honest and sincere in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own earthly wisdom. That is how we have acted toward everyone, and especially toward you. – Vs 12 NLT

"We have been dependent on God's grace."

Isn't that what we all want to be able to say as Christ followers? Yet we find it hard to look at life that way. I would rather not have to admit that this thing called the Christian life is NOT about me and my ability to pull it off. I don't want to acknowledge that it is first and foremost about the grace of God and the unmerited, unwarranted favor He shows me each and every day as one of His children. This is HIS story and I am just a bit player in it. But so often I want to make the story about me. I tend to view God as a participant in my drama, stepping into the scenes of my unfolding life story as I deem it necessary. I am the star and He plays a supporting role in my story.

But Paul knew better. He was fully aware that he owed everything to God. His salvation was a gift from God. But so was his daily sanctification. His ability to endure the pressures associated with his calling were a gift from God. The fact that he could say that he and his associates had been "honest and sincere in all our dealings" was the result of the grace of God. It wasn't about Paul. It was about God. It wasn't because he was smart or more talented than the next guy. No, it was because God had showered His grace on Paul. The Message paraphrases verse 12 this way: "But it wasn't by any fancy footwork on our part. It was [God] who kept us focused on him, uncompromised." Paul even attributed his ability to stay focused on God to God. He was 100% completely, unequivocally dependent upon God for anything and everything. And that is how each of us should live as followers of Christ. God-dependent, Christ-focused, and Holy Spirit-empowered. It reminds me of the great old hymn, I Need Thee Every Hour.

I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;  

temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;

come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need thee, O I need thee; every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need Thee every hour. Every hour I need Thee. Is that really true? Can I really say that and mean it? I want to. Because I have learned and am learning that my wisdom, intelligence, talent, and overall abilities are no match for this journey called the Christian life. I need the grace of God each and every day of my life. And thankfully, His grace is free each and every day of my life!

Father, thank You for Your abundant, amazing grace. May I grow increasingly ever dependent upon it. And may I never forget that I can't live this life without it. Amen

A Few Last Words.

1 Corinthians 16

Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. – Vs -13 NLT

As Paul closes out this letter to the Corinthians believers, he gives them a few last words to encourage them in their faith until he should get to see them again. Verse 13 of 1 Corinthians 16 has become one of my favorites over the last few years. It has actually been one of the key verses I have used in our ministry to men at Christ Chapel for almost five years. In the New American Standard Version it reads this way, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." It is a powerful call to men that gives them four action items to consider. But the truth is, this verse is not just for men. It is for all of us as believers.

Be on guard

We must be ready at all times. Like sentries guarding the gate to a city, we must have our eyes open to the realities of the spiritual war in which we are engaged. We can't afford to act as if we live in peacetime. We can't fall asleep at our post and not expect the enemy to back off in his relentless attach against us. We are to remain alert, awake, vigilant – at all times. The Greek word means "to take heed lest through remission (lack of labor) and indolence (laziness) some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one." We've got to remain spiritually alert.

Stand true to what you believe

Stand firm. Hold your ground. Paul urges us to persevere and not give up. But we are to persevere based on the truth of what it is we say we believe. Do you believe God is in control? Then stand firm. Do you believe Jesus died for your sins? Then stand firm. Do you believe the Holy Spirit lives within you and provides the power you need to live the life you've been called to live? Then stand firm. We are to stand firm based on the faith we have in truth of the gospel. We are not to waver from it. Yet that is exactly what the enemy wants us to do. Which is why we must remain alert. He wants to get us off focus and off task. He wants us to waver in unbelief. We must stand true to what we believe.

Be courageous

Act like men. The actual Greek word means "to show yourself a man." Paul is saying we are to act like men, not boys. It is almost as if he is saying, "act your age!" We are to grow up and man up. We are soldiers in the army of God and we have a mission to accomplish. We must not cower in fear or run away from the battle. We must engage. Not in our own strength, but in the power of God. He is the Lord of Hosts – the Lord of armies. We fight for the winning side. So be courageous.

Be strong

This is not a call to become something we are not. It is a call to increase in what we already have. To grow in our strength. The Greek means "to increase in strength; to be strengthened." As we are alert, stand firm, and show courage, we will increase in strength. We will see our faith increased. We will see our patience increased. We will see our hope increased. As we fight alongside God, we will grow stronger. We will see His power revealed in and around our lives and our strength will increase.

Four powerful admonitions we all need to hear. But Paul doesn't stop there. He adds one more thing. In the next verse he adds to one little caveat: "And everything you do must be done with love" (Vs 14 NLT). Love must permeate all we do. Love is why I stay alert, show courage, act like a man, and grow in strength. I am to be motivated by love for others. I am alert so that I can protect and defend those around me. I am courageous so that I can encourage the faint-hearted. I act like a man because I have a job to do and I care for others. As I grow in strength I am able to love others even more. Everything I do is to be done with an attitude of selfless, sacrificial love.

We live in difficult days, but God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. He has given us one another. He has given us His Spirit. He has provided us with His power. He has showered us with His love. So, be on guard, stand true to what you believe, be courageous, be strong, and let everything you do be done with love.

Father, may these verses be a picture of my life.  Amen

The Gospel Gap.

1 Corinthians 15

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved… – Vs -12 NASB

Paul was writing to believers in the city of Corinth. These people already had a relationship with Jesus Christ. They had already placed their faith in His atoning work on the cross. But Paul finds it necessary to remind them about the gospel message that he had preached to them initially. He says it is the same message "by which also you are saved." He then goes on to explain once again what that message included:

•  Christ died for our sins (Vs 3)

•  He was buried (Vs 4)

•  He was raised on the third day (Vs 4)

•  We have eye-witness proof of His resurrection(Vs 5-7)

•  He also appeared to Paul (Vs 8)

This message is the basis of their salvation. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is what we place our hope on for the future. His resurrection is central to our faith. Without it, "our preaching is in vain, your faith also is vain" (Vs 14 NASB). "And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, and you are still under condemnation for your sins" (Vs 17 NLT). The message of the resurrection of Christ is a non-negotiable element of the gospel story. There is no story without it.

But not only does the gospel save us, it continues to save us. This is not a one-time deal. We aren't just saved at the moment we place our faith in Christ. We are being saved daily. The gospel story goes on. The Good News is ongoing good news. It didn't stop at my conversion, but continues on through my transformation or sanctification into Christ-likeness, and will not stop until my ultimate glorification when the Lord returns. The gospel is more than just a ticket to heaven. It is the means by which I live the life I have been called to live. It is the story of redemption and restoration that is ongoing in my life every day. I must go back to the message that "Christ died for our sins" each and every day. When I sin today, and I will (in fact, I already have), I must go back to the cross and remind myself that He died for that sin as well. He has paid for that sin. I must confess it, repent of it (turn from it), and accept His forgiveness for it. I must daily take my sin back to the cross and be reminded of the price He paid there so that I would be free from slavery to sin in my life. The cross reminds me that I am free. I don't have to pay for my sin, because He already has.

Paul tells the Corinthians that not only are they saved by the gospel, they STAND on the gospel. "Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message" (Vs 1 NLT). We stand on the gospel message every day of our lives. It is our foundation for living in this world. The Greek word for "stand" is hestime and it has a range of meanings. But I think Paul has in mind the idea of "to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place." The message of the gospel causes us to remain firm even in the midst of all the uncertainties of life. We go back to the gospel each and every day and find our hope, assurance, and comfort. He really did die for my sins. He really did pay the price I couldn't pay. He really did rise again. He really does sit at the right hand of the Father. He really is coming again some day.

But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, Adam, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man, Christ.  Everyone dies because all of us are related to Adam, the first man. But all who are related to Christ, the other man, will be given new life. – 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 NLT

We are saved by the gospel. We stand on the gospel. It is our hope from beginning to end. In his book Respectable Sins, Jerry bridges talks about preaching the gospel to himself daily. Here is how he describes it:

Since the gospel is only for sinners, I begin each day with the realization that despite my being a saint, I still sin every day in thought, word, deed, and motive. If I am aware of any subtle, or not so subtle, sins in my life, I acknowledge those to God. Even if my conscience is not indicting me for conscious sins, I still acknowledge to God that I have not even come close to loving Him with all my being or loving my neighbor as myself. I repent of those sins, and then I apply specific Scriptures that assure me of God’s forgiveness to those sins I have just confessed

I then generalize the Scripture’s promises of God’s forgiveness to all my life and say to God words to the effect that my only hope of a right standing with Him that day is Jesus’ blood shed for my sins, and His righteous life lived on my behalf. This reliance on the twofold work of Christ for me is beautifully captured by Edward Mote in his hymn “The Solid Rock” with his words, “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Almost every day, I find myself going to those words in addition to reflecting on the promises of forgiveness in the Bible.

Stand on the gospel. It is a firm foundation, the solid rock, a reliable resource for life in this world.

Father, thank You for the gospel.Thank You that I can stand on it every day for what I face in this life. Let me preach it to myself daily. Let me never forget that through the gospel, You have given "everything we need for living a godly life" (2 Peter 1:3 NLT).  Amen