Follower of the Way

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 13:1-14 - Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 (ESV)
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.  For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.  Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!   I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.  But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.  For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.  For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.  For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.  Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the saints greet you.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 12:14-21 - I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls

2 Corinthians 12:14-21 (NKJV)

Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

Paul was willing to be spent for the saving of souls.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I will very glady spend and be spent for your souls.”  May we have the same attitude.  May we be willing to sacrifice ourselves for the saving of the souls of others.  Paul also said that, “we do all things, beloved, for your edification.”  We too, should be careful that our actions build up others toward God and Christ.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 12:1-13 - My grace is sufficient for you

2 Corinthians 12:1-13 (NKJV)

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

 

God grace is sufficient. 

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 11:16-33 - Seeing that many boast according to the flesh

2 Corinthians 11:16-33 (NKJV)
I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.  What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.  Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.  For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise!  For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.  To our shame, I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold--I speak foolishly--I am bold also.  Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.  Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.  From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-- besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.  Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?  If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.  In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

 

Paul demonstrated through his life his commitment to God, Christ and the Gospel.  Paul was a relentless working in the Kingdom seeking to share the Gospel with as many as he could.  Paul was willing to give of himself for the cause of Christ and for others.  What an amazing example of someone who loved God and His word.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 11:1-15 - For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light

2 Corinthians 11:1-15 (ESV)
I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden  anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.  As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!   And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 10:13-18 - Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 (ESV) 
But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.  For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.  We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.   “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”   For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 10:1-12 - For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:1-12 (ESV)

I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away! — I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 9:1-15 - Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

2 Corinthians 9:1-15 (ESV)
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.  But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be.  Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident.  So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.  The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”  He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.  By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.  Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

 

How great is our God.  Every blessing we have is from God.  Everything thing we have is a blessing from God.  Paul states in II Corinthians – “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”.  We should look for opportunities to do good.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 8:16-24 - Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 (NKJV)

But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us-- providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 8:1-15 - They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (ESV)

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a 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 we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 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 act of grace also.

I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

Christians should be concerned for the needs of others.  As we have ability we should provide assistance to those in need.   All that we have has been given to us by God.  We have the example of our savior who became poor for us that we might have the opportunity of salvation and to be an example for us.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 7:1-16 - Bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God

2 Corinthians 7:1-16 (ESV)
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.  Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.  I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.  I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.  For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.  But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.  For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.  As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.  For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.  For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.  So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.  Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.  For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.  And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.  I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

 

Paul urged the Corinthians to bring “holiness to completion in the fear of God.”  We need to be seeking to make sure we are not being drawn into the world, but are seeking the things that are above.  We are to be different.  Paul had written his first letter to the Corinthians to correct several issues that were going on in the church in Corinth.  They had taken his letter to heart and had changed for the better.  As result of the effect of his letter on them, Paul wrote – “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”  When we are touch by the word and recognize we need to change and then take the action to change – that godly sorrow is good, because it brings about the needed change in our lives.  May we be open and receptive to let the word of God touch us.  May we be willing to allow the word to produce godly grief and “repentance that leads to salvation without regret”.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (ESV)
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?  What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?  What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

 

We need to be very thoughtful with our closest relationships.  When young people are determining who they will marry, we need to encourage them to look for someone who loves God first.  We need to make sure we have a good group of Christian friends who will be an encouragement to us.  Who we allow to influence us can have a major impact on our life.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 6:1-13 - We appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (ESV)
Working together with him, then, 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.  We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves 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. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

 

The Apostles and others in the early church gave up everything to teach and to preach the gospel.  This set of verses in II Corinthians lists quite a list of hardships endured.  May we not “receive the grace of God in vain.”

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 5:9-21 - For the love of Christ controls us

2 Corinthians 5:9-21 (ESV)
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.  For 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.  Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.  We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.  For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.  For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.  From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Does the love of Christ control you?  When the love of Christ controls us we no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ.  Let us seek to be like Christ.  Let us seek to be ambassadors for Christ.  That God can work through us to reach out the lost of the world and to encourage our fellows brothers and sisters in Christ.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 5:1-8 - Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 (NKJV)
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.  For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.  Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.  So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.  For we walk by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

 

Is only natural that we should not feel comfortable with the things of this earth.  Our desire should be to be with the Lord.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 4:7-18 - Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day

2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (ESV)
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.  For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  So death is at work in us, but life in you.  Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.  For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.  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.

 

Whatever we experience in this life is only a “light momentary affliction” in comparison to the “eternal weight of glory”.  It is hard for us to comprehend the unseen eternal things.  As we face the challenges of life, may we keep our trust in God and our faith focused on the great promises in the Gospel.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 4:1-6 - Has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (ESV)
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.  But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

God’s word is powerful.  We should never tamper with God’s word or try to practice cunning with it.  Those of the world are blind to the light of the Gospel.  There are some individuals whose heart has become so darkened that they cannot see the truth and power of the Gospel.  May we seek to be light.  May we seek to be light that can “shine out of darkness”.  We do not know how the light of Christ in our life may touch others.  When the light of the Gospel shines on a good heart, the power of Gospel can work.  Yes, there will be some that “the god of this world has blinded the minds”; however, there are others who when touched by the light may see the light of the Gospel and may come to see the glory of Christ.  May the Gospel shine in our lives by the example of our speech and conduct in this world.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 3:7-18 - Beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 (ESV)
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?  For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.  Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.  For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.  Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.  But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.  Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.  But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

 

When we study of the word of God seeking to learn from the example of Christ, we will find ourselves being transformed into his image.  Our study of God’s word is a critical part of our Christian life.  If we neglect the study of the word we will not be growing in Christ as strongly as we could be.  The gospel is powerful and when we seek to learn from the Gospel, we should find our lives being transformed to be like Christ.  May the study of God’s word be a daily part of our lives.  May our hearts desire and constant prayer be that we are growing toward the image of Christ.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 2:12-3:6 - You show that you are a letter from Christ

2 Corinthians 3:1-6 (ESV)

 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.  Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

 

The word of God is powerful. When it touches our heart, and is seen in our life, it can impact the world. Paul wrote to the church of Corinth that they were an “epistle of Christ”. We too should have the goal of being an “epistle of Christ”. As Paul also notes to the Corinthians, “our sufficiency is in Christ”. May we study God’s word seeking to allow it to change our hearts so that we can have the confidence that can only be found through Christ.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 2:1-11 - For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears

2 Corinthians 2:1-11 (ESV)
For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.  For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?  And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.  For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.  Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.  For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.  So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.  For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.  Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

 

It is important for the body of Christ to be concerned about the spiritual state of its’ members.  When a member is straying, and has had the issue brought to their attention and they refuse to change it is important for the Church to act to help the individual to realize the seriousness of their spiritual state.  In I Corinthians, we see Paul telling the church in Corinth not to have fellowship with a brother who is in blatant sin.  In this passage in II Corinthians we see Paul telling the church to reaffirm their love for this individual, because they have repented.  Paul encourages forgiveness so that they will not cause harm to this individual or the church since the individual has repented and returned.

Jesus taught a good lesson on how to approach another if we think there is an issue.  In Matthew chapter 18:15-17 Jesus tells his disciples how to handle an issue if a brother sins against them.  This is good advice and the best pattern for us today.

Some make think the actions taken by the church in Corinth were hard.  We see from the results that is was the right action.  It is important for all that we do to be done with love.  When actions, like those in Corinth to confront sin are done with love – the church is taking the best action for the saving of souls.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 1:12-24 - That we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity

2 Corinthians 1:12-24 (ESV)
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.  For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.  Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.  I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.  Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?  As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him 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.  And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.  But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.  Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

 

There is a lot to be said for behaving “in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity”.

Reading for Today - II Corinthians 1:1-11- God of all comfort

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (ESV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.  If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.  Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.  For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.  You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

 

God is the God of all comfort.  It is interesting to note that God comforts us in our affliction “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”   When we are in times of trouble may we look to God, for his he is God of all comfort.  When others are in trouble, may we allow ourselves to be used by God to comfort them.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 16:1-24 - Let all that you do be done in love

1 Corinthians 16:1-24 (ESV)
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.  On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.  And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.  If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.  I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.  For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.  But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.  When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.  So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.  Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.  Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.  Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.  I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.  The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.  All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.  I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.  If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

Paul has some great words of wisdom as he closes the first letter to the church in Corinth.

                Be Watchful

                Stand firm in the faith

                Act like men

                Be Strong

                Let all things be done in love

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 15:1-58 - Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable

1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (ESV)
But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”   You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.  And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.  But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.  For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.  There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.  So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.  Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.  But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.  The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.  Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.  I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.  When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”   

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

 

We have a great hope in Jesus Christ.  We look forward to the day when we will have our resurrected body.  We face many challenges in this life, but we should have hope in the promises of God.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 14:1-40 - all things should be done decently and in order

1 Corinthians 14:26-40 (ESV)
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.  If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.  But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.  Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.  If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.  For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.  For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.  If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.  Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?  If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the thing I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.  If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.  So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  But all things should be done decently and in order.

 

Our worship to God should be done in a way that is decent and orderly.  The church at Corinth was having a problem because their worship was not orderly.  They were not showing love in their worship and it was not being done in an orderly way.  Our worship is to God.  While our worship is to God, our worship should also build up those around us.  If our worship is causing others to not be able to worship God this should cause to stop and think about our worship.  If our focus in our worship is on some talent we have, then we have the wrong focus.  Our focus should be on praising God and building up the church.  May our worship be done decently and orderly.  May all praise be to God and may God be the focus of our worship.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 13:1-13 - So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.  When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

Love, agape love, as described in this chapter of Corinthians should be our goal.  Love is a choice.  Just as God chose to love us we need to choose to show love to others.  Agape love is not a superficial love.  It is a love that put others first.  It is a love that is free of pride.  It is a love that truly desire what is best.  It is a love that can endure all things and never ends.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 12:12-31 - Have the same care for one another

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (ESV)
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.  For the body does not consist of one member but of many.  If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?  But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.  If all were a single member, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?  But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

 

We all have different talents and abilities.  In chapter 12 of I Corinthians Paul reminds the brethren in Corinth that every member of the body is necessary, needed, and performs a different function.  As our bodies have different parts that serve different functions so each of us in the body of Christ has different functions and abilities.  Paul reminds those in Corinth that they should “have the same care for one another.”  He further explains, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together”.  We should be glad to be part of the body of Christ.  We should be concerned about the entire body of Christ – rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.  May we each seek to use our talents for God’s glory and “have the same care for one another.”

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 12:1-11 - There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (NKJV)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.  Therefore, I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

 

When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth he was addressing several different issues.  The church at Corinth had an issue with putting too much emphasis on the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit.  The church at Corinth was also having an issue with elevating certain activities and ministries above another.  Paul had to write to them to remind them that they served the same Lord and God.

We each have different talents and abilities.  May we use those to glorify God and help others.  May we never forget that we are all children of God.  God loves each of us and wants what is best for us.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 11:17-34 - For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (NKJV) Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.   For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.   For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

In the church at Corinth there were divisions.  The factions were evident in their observance of the Lord’s Supper and Paul had to rebuke them – “For in eating, each of takes his own supper ahead of other; and one is hungry and another is drunk.”  Besides their divisions being evident during their partaking of the Lord’s Supper, they had turned the Lord’s Supper into a meal to the point that Paul had to rebuke them – “Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?”.

Paul writes that “as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”  When we partake of the Lord’s Supper we should focus on our Lord’s death, burial, resurrection and His return.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 11:1-16 - Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 (ESV)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.  Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.   But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.  Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.   For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.  For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.  For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.   Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.  That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.   Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.  Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?  Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.  If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

Paul wrote, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ".  We should also seek to follow after the example of Christ living a life that will be an example for others to follow.  What greater thing can we do to help others than to show Christ in our lives.  Living in the example of Christ should encourage and help others to live the life Christ would desire of them as well.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 10:23-33 - Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (ESV)
All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.  Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.  For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”  If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.  But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience?  If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?  So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

 

We should be about seeking the good of others.  Paul said plainly, “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”  Paul was concerned how his actions could affect others and wrote in I Corinthians “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  Paul was not out seeking his own, but seeking to lead others to Christ and wrote – “not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be save.”  We should be just as concerned about lost souls and seek to give up of own liberty and advantages if that is what is needed to help lead others to Christ.  We also, would not want to be guilty of causing a brother or sister in Christ to stumble.  May we seek to follow after the example of Paul.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 10:1-22 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability

1 Corinthians 10:1-22 (ESV)
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.  Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.  Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”  We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.  We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.  Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.  The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.  Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?  What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?  No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.  Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

 

We need to be careful that we do not serve idols.  The idols of today are not the metal, wood, and stone objects that some see as gods, but the objects of today that take our focus away from God and Christ.  If we are not careful we can find ourselves distracted and seeking to serve our own desires instead seeking the things which are above.  We cannot serve two masters.  Christ and God must have the first place in our life and deserve our full devotion.  When we are tempted by the things of this world, God has promised a way of escape.  If we are seek God and look for the way of escape we can find it.  We have that promise in God's word.  May we seek the things that are from above and may God have the rule in our lives.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 9:1-27 - I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified

1 Corinthians 9:16-27 (ESV)
For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.   What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.  For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.  To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

 

Paul felt a strong need to preach the gospel.  He realized he had a great stewardship and sought to teach and preach the gospel to as many as he could.  Paul said that he had “become all things to all people, that by all means [he] might save some.”  Not only did Paul seek to preach and teach the gospel, he also sought to live a Godly life.  This was demonstrated by not only words, but by his actions as well.

Reading for today - I Corinthians 7:1-8:13 - If food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (NKJV)
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.   And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.  But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.  Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.  For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.  But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.  But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.  For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?  And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.  Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

 

Paul taught in many instances that we need to be concerned about how what we do influences and affects others.  In Chapter 8 Paul discusses the impact eating food offered to idols might have on a weak Christian brother and encouraged the Corinthians to abstain from meat offered to idols if it would cause a stumbling block to another.  Paul wrote, “if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 6:1-20

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 5:1-13 - Purge the evil person from among you

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 (ESV)
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.  And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.  For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.  When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.  Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.  But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?  God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

 

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in chapter 5 teaching them to observe discipline within the church.  There was sin the Church at Corinth that was of such a nature even those outside of the church knew it to be wrong.  Paul wrote to Corinthians to tell them to “deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”  Paul told the Corinthians to not even eat with those in the Church who were engaged in flagrant sin.  Paul also wrote to them that this did not apply to those in the world, else they “would need to go out of the world.”  We are in the world, but not to be of the world.  We are to be lights in the world bring the world to Christ.  We are to confront sin in the Church for the benefit of the of the brother or sister to turn them back to God.

There are so many practical lessons in Paul’s letters.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 4:14-21 - I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children

1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (ESV)
I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.  For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  I urge you, then, be imitators of me.  That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.  Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.  But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.  For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.  What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

 

When we address an issue or seek to instruct a brother in the truth we should seek to have the right attitude.  Paul wrote that he had not written these things to make them ashamed, but to admonish them as children.  Paul sought to live a life above reproach to the point he would urge others to imitate him.  Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthians to remind them ways in Christ.  May we always be glad to be reminded of the truth.  Is very helpful to have repetition and what better thing than to have the repetitious hearing of the Gospel and truth of God.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 4:1-13 - For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all

1 Corinthians 4:1-13 (ESV)

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.  For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.  I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.  For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?  Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!  For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.  We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.  To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

 

The Apostles, including Paul, suffered many things for the cause of Christ.  The Apostles were willing to sacrifice everything, including their lives, for the cause of spreading the Gospel message.  May we all seek to share the Gospel message with others.  May we seek to “not go beyond what is written.”  May we also not “be puffed up in favor of one against another.”  How great our blessing in Christ.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 3:11-23 - So let no one boast in men

1 Corinthians 3:11-23 (ESV)
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.  If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.  Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.  Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”  So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

 

True wisdom is the wisdom that is found in God’s word.  May we never boast in men.  May our hope be in Christ and in God’s word.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 3:4-11 - For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 3:4-11 (ESV)
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?  What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.  He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.  For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.  According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.  For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

We should never follow after another man.  We should seek to follow after Christ.  The power is in the Gospel and the power is from God.  All of our talents, abilities, and blessing are from God.  May we be willing to be used by God to share His message with others that they might be touched by the saving power of the Gospel.  May we build on the only foundation of Christ.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 3:1-4 - I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (ESV)
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.  I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?  For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

 

Paul starts by telling the Corinthians in Chapter 3 that he is addressing them “as infants in Christ”.  He writes that he is feeding them with milk and not solid food because they “were not ready for it.”  Everyone should seek to move from the milk of the word to the solid meat.  If all we are focused on is learning and knowing how to become in Christ, but do not seek to learn how to love others and how to put our hopes on things above we would be like the Corinthians who are being fed mild instead of solid food.  May our hearts and minds be open to and desire to seek the solid food found in God’s word.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 2:6-16 - Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (ESV)
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.  But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.  None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.  For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.  And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.  The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.  The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.  “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

 

It is awesome to consider – “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”.  May we have the mind of Christ and seek those things which above.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 2:1-5 - For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

 

Our faith should be in the word of God and not men.  Paul sought to make sure that Christ and his word were first place.  Paul didn’t try to use fancy words to bring men to Christ, but sought to teach the plain Gospel message of Christ.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 1:18-31 - Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (ESV)
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”  Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.  For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

 

May our wisdom be in God’s word.  May our trust be in Him.  May we never boast in ourselves, but may our trust be in Christ.  All of our blessings are a gift from God.  May we give God the glory in all things.

Reading for Today - I Corinthians 1:1-17 - I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment

1 Corinthians 1:1-17 (ESV)
Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,  To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.  For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.  What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”  Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.  (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)  For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.