SOULJournal

2 Corinthians 13

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."

This admonishment from Paul gives us the opportunity to discuss the two types of sanctification that are at work in every believer.

The first work of sanctification happens at the moment of our conversion and salvation. It is Christ's work in us, His righteousness bestowed upon us the minute we admit our sin, repent and accept Christ's atonement on the Cross as payment in full for the sin debt and death penalty that was ours to pay. This instant sanctification immediately and permanently places us in the position of being in right standing before God, adopted into the familiy of God and establishes us forever as co-heirs with Christ of the Kingdom of God. It is a work of Christ that, once genuinely received, cannot be undone.

The second (yet simultaneous) work of sanctiication is called progressive sanctification and it is the ongoing process where we work in partnership with the Holy Spirit to be daily conformed into the likeness of Jesus, in word, thought and deed. Whereas the first work of sanctification is solely the work of Christ in us and nothing we could ever do can change our position in Christ, it is how we submit to the wisdom of God's word and the leading of the Holy Spirit to align ourselves with God's will (and our humble confession and repentance of sin when we choose to live by self will) that determines and effects the level of intimacy and clarity and relationship that we experience at any moment in communion with the Father. To be sure, our position in Christ is settled forever, yet we must daily strive to maintain our close and unhindered relationship with the Father through a life of love and obedience. This is not works unto salvation, but the fruit that is produced as a result of our working out our faith after salvation.

To use the example of family dynamics to illustrate the point, My son or daughter could never do anything to disqualify themselves from their position as my children. That is who they are by vitrtue of their birth into the family and it is their unchangeable position. No matter what they could ever do in life, they could never be un-soned or un-daughtered. That is a picture of positional sancification. However, the relationship that they enjoy with their parents can absolutely be damaged, strained and disconnected due to disobedience, disrespect and rebellion. Though still occupying their position in the family, they are forfeiting intimacy in that family relationship, and will continue to suffer it, until such time that they repent and re-align themselves with the the expressed will of their parents. Daily, they are learning how to live their life in such a way that they enjoy all of the intended blessings that right relationship is intended to bring. This is a picture of progressive sanctification.

It is the latter to which Paul appeals. His exortation to the church is for us to constantly check our hearts, check our thoughts, attitudes and actions and measure them against the Word of God and the heart of God to confirm that we are indeed walking in the faith that Christ purchased for us, being conformed into His likeness and experiencing the fullness and fruitfullness that is His intended blessing for us.

2 Corinthians 12

In order to get some insight into today's reading, we need to go all the way back to the beginning, to Genesis. The story of God's redemptive history opens with the truth that, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Thus stated, we must then assign to God certain prerogatives and priorities that are His by right of creation and of which He is qualified to assert by virtue of His unique position of eternally existing outside, above and over all time and space. In a nutshell, because God created the game, He gets to make the rules, and one of the rules is that He gets to answer prayer in any way He wants to.

Paul experiences this truth as he petitions God to remove a "thorn" from his side. However, we see that God had a specific purpose in allowing this "messanger of Satan" to continue to afflict Paul. At this point, Paul's desire in prayer comes in direct conflict with God's will for His life. Things work out in this instance because of two attitudes working in concert (in partnership) with one another. God allows a trial and affliction in Paul's life in order to keep Him humble and dependant on God's strength and Paul submits to whatever God allows into His life, trusting in the inherent goodness of God's character and actions and submitting, in faith, to the truth that what He is now experiencing is an outpouring of that heart and the purpose of His will and the best thing that could be happening to him at that moment. No wonder Paul was able to encourage others to be joyful in affliction.

The degree to which we are able to experience this joy and to seek and praise God in the midst of pain and tribulation is the degree to which we believe that our lives are in the hands of and under the sovereign direction of a good God and to the degree that we are willing and thankfully able to accept whatever His plans and purposes may bring or allow into our life. May we mature in our faith in such a way that we are able to say "Amen" and celebrate how God answers all of our prayers, even when that answer is, No".

 

2 Corinthians 11

Although Paul, in all humility, calls himself an "untrained speaker", it is clear that, through his years as a Pharisee, he has honed his debating and rhetorical skills to a fine edge. In this section of 2 Corinthians Paul indulges in a bit of baiting, skillfuly creating a bandwagon for all of to jump on, only to then challenge them (us) to be as boastful in other, more challenging matters.

In verse 22, Paul points out that, if one is going to boast, as so many others in this church were apparently doing, then he could certainly join in on the chorus. "Want to boast about your race? Then I can boast that I am a Hebrew...boasting about your nationality? Fine, I am an Israelite, too!...If you're gonna talk lineage, I can trace mine back to Father Abraham." It is at this point that we are all willing to join Paul in his "boasting" for these are some of the very same things in which we take pride and in which we find our identity and self-satisfaction - the size of our church, our family history of faith, our place of position in the church, the success of our ministry, etc.

Then, Paul changes the direction of the boasting and begins to list the things that the apostle has endured for the gospel - things about which, all of a sudden, many are not so willing to join him in boasting about. Hard work, imprisonment, floggings, beatings and stonings, shipwrecks, hunger, thirst and nakedness. In danger from rivers, bandits, enemys (both Jew and gentile); in danger in the city and in the country and at sea. At this point, the symphony of voices who had shouted out their "amens!" to Paul's previous boasting have grown strangely quiet. The bandwagon has been abandoned.

Yet, Paul says that if we are going to boast in the one, then we need to be just as willing, if not more so, to boast about the other. Paul says in verse 30, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness".

Why? Because Paul understood two things.

First of all, he understood the truth that the gospel is a stumbling block to many and that it's message would result in strong emotions and persecutions as a result of Paul's faithful ministry in it's preaching. Paul saw the suffering endured in response to his message as evidence that he was being faithful in his call. He did not shy away from the call in the face of the strong reactions that it engendered. Paul was not willing to seek tolerance by compromise nor "political correctness" at the expense of the truth or peace at the cost of silence. This should be of some encouragement (and a challenge) to any who suffer the jokes, and jibes and exclusion that we "earn" at our jobs, within our families, or anywhere else where we choose to stand for the truth.

Second, Paul understood that at the point of our weakness, God is able to be, and shown to be, the source and provider of strength, wisdom, guidance, healing and help in a way that brings victory when every human effort has been exhausted and proven impotent. It is a powerful witness to others  when we are willing to be honest enough to admit our struggles, when we are humble enough to recognize that we just can't do it on our own and when we are able to testify that the reason for our hope in help and deliverance is not in our own strength but in the power and promises that are ours through faith in Jesus.

In the same way that every coin has two sides,  when we boast of our weakness we are, at the very same time, boasting in the strength and faithfulness of Christ, though Whom we can do all things, for He gives us our strength. 

2 Corinthians 10

¹ By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! ² I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. ³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Paul in dealing with the Corinthians gives us insight in how leaders in the family of God should conduct themselves and how the family should respond to leaders as well.  Although Paul has divine authority and can be "bold and forceful" with the Corinthians he would rather deal with them in gentleness and humility.  Although he can assert authority he appeals to them in a gentle and loving fashion.  But do not mistake that gentleness for not having a backbone, he is willing to show tough love if the Corinthians do not respond. He goes on to explain that the tools he has to deal with them are not to be used to build himself up, or to simply exert power over them but they are there to be used to help people experience the truth of Christ in their life.  The tools are to help expose the lies of this world and the god of this world and bring people into maturity.  Using it for anything else would be wrong.

As a leader it is easy to want to use the tools (weapons) God has given us to build an empire or to exalt myself but my desire is much like Paul's.  I want to see people come to know the truth and to help them come into maturity.  So I would rather operate in love and gentleness although I would be bold and forceful if that is the only way to love people into the truth.

2 Corinthians 9

Charles Swindoll

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Shortly after World War II came to a close, Europe began picking up the pieces. Much of the old country had been ravaged by war and was in ruins. Perhaps the saddest sight of all was that of little orphaned children starving in the streets of those war-torn cities.

Early one chilly morning an American soldier was making his way back to the barracks in London. As he turned the corner in his jeep, he spotted a little lad with his nose pressed to the window of a pastry shop. Inside, the cook was kneading dough for a fresh batch of doughnuts. The hungry boy stared in silence, watching every move. The soldier pulled his jeep to the curb, stopped, got out, and walked quietly over to where the little fellow was standing. Through the steamed-up window, he could see the mouth-watering morsels being pulled from the oven, piping hot. The boy salivated and released a slight groan as he watched the cook place them onto the glass-enclosed counter ever so carefully.

The soldier's heart went out to the nameless orphan as he stood beside him.

"Son . . . would you like some of those?"
The boy was startled, "Oh, yeah . . . I would!"

The American stepped inside and bought a dozen, put them in a bag, and walked back to where the lad was standing in the foggy cold of the London morning. The soldier smiled, held out the bag, and said simply: "Here you are." As he turned to walk away, he felt a tug on his coat.

He looked back and heard the child ask quietly: "Mister . . . are you God?"

We are never more like God than when we give. "God so loved the world, that He gave" (John 3:16).

Let me encourage you, in spite of the high cost of giving and the small number of servant-models you may see around you, to determine to be different. God tells us He "loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7), and He promises us that the one "who is generous will be blessed" (Proverbs 22:9). Let's believe Him!

Deep down inside most Christians I know is a deep-seated desire to release instead of keep . . . to give instead of grab. It is worth whatever it takes to let that start happening. Moms, dads, singles, kids, teachers, preachers, businessmen, professionals, blue-collar workers, students—it is worth it!

Become a giver . . . and watch God open the hearts of others to Himself. We are never more godlike than when we give.

 

2 Corinthians 8

Charles R. Swindoll

A full year before the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, they had begun a project. No doubt they were filled with enthusiasm, the thrill of a fresh beginning. But with the passing of time, the newness had worn off. The spontaneous motivation to give had turned into a miserable marathon that dragged slowly on and on. So Paul urged them with a reminder of their commitment:

This is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. (verses 10-11)

Paul said, in effect, "Get with it! You made a commitment to get involved, to give, and to help out—now stick with that commitment!"

Becoming a giving person sounds exciting. But it costs something. It demands change, and no significant change ever got started without motivation and zeal.

Want a vivid illustration? Dieting. Oh, just the word brings up painful memories! Especially when I add exercising and jogging. Who hasn't had the experience? We finally get sick and tired of our flab. Zippers start ripping out; buttons pop off; the car leans dangerously to one side when we get in; the scales we step on punch out little cards that say, "Only one person at a time, please."

Okay, so we decide to thin down. In the fresh enthusiasm of zeal, we buy $100 sneakers, a couple $85 jogging outfits; we join a local fitness center (another $350); and we blow the dust off that miserable "Count Those Calories" booklet we bought years ago. We just know we're going to peel off 30 pounds!

The very first day we start with a flash. We hit the road, running like we're on fire. We drop our intake to 700 calories a day. We choke down dry toast, cottage cheese, sliced tomatoes, and boiled eggs! We snack on stuff that tastes like canary mix, and we sip on bitter herb tea until we think we're going to gag. By the third day, we're so sore we can only trot a half a block . . . so we get up later. Then Thanksgiving brings too many temptations, so we fudge . . . and finally gorge. In less than a month, our blimp is back in the hangar. And when the urge to exercise comes over us, we just lie down quietly until the urge goes away.

Sticking with any commitment is costly. And I can assure you, becoming a servant who gives and gives and gives to others is no exception. By comparison, it will make dieting look like a piece of cake (no pun intended).

2 Corinthians 7

But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way:
   "I'll live in them, move into them; I'll be their God and they'll be my people.  So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good," says God.   "Don't link up with those who will pollute you.  I want you all for myself.  I'll be a Father to you; you'll be sons and daughters to me." 
The Word of the Master, God.

 1 With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distract us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

I dont think that we really catch how good a deal God gives us.  He draws near to us, the God of the universe, the Creator, the Almighty, powerful King of kings; and says, "I will make you mine.  You are now my sons and daughters given the rights and privileges of kinship."  We don't get how incredibly awesome that is because what God asks of us is that we stay committed to Him alone.  Don't let anything distract us from giving Him our undivided heart.  Don't defile ourselves by doing things that would go against the will of our Father.  But sadly we squander this wonderful relationship by becoming distracted by so many things, many of which are good things, but not what is God's best for us because of the order of priority we give it.

I wonder, what are the things that are defiling and distracting us?
What distractions/actions/things we fill our minds with/people we are intimately associated with we need to make a break with in order to make our lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God?

2 Corinthians 5

 ^9-10But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.

Paul has seen good times and trials as a result of his commitment to preach the gospel.  It is easy in the hard times and persecution to begin to think about wanting to go home to be with God, and I am not sure that there is anything wrong with longing for "our permanent home."  But Paul tells us time and again that good times and hard times are par for the course and that is never the issue - the real issue is whether we are striving to cheerfully please God in spite of the circumstances.

So where are you right now?  Seeing good times?  Feeling the pain and heartache of this life?  The question to you and me is, "Are we cheerfully looking to please God in the midst of the good and bad times?" 

2 Corinthians 4

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

I have to confess I have many a day when I want to quit pastoring.  I think of all the reasons why I stink at this and why someone else can do it better.  And the truth is most probably can.  But again, I can identify with Paul in this epistle, he is in the fight because this is what God has called him to, so he is never going to give up.  The jar of clay that is our life is insufficient at best, but that is okay because in the end if we are obedient to God it points people to the all-surpassing power of God.  I would rather point people to Jesus than to myself, so bring on the jar of clay.  Like Paul I have found that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.  If I am faithful to obey His calling and directions then I can rest assured that God will perfect His power in my weakness.  

I know so many wonderful people of God who disqualify themselves from the ministry (don't just think inside the church either) God has called them to because they feel that they are inadequate.  Listen, we carry the Good News in these jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us, so let's get to it and quit disqualifying ourselves.  You in?

2 Corinthians 3

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some (others), epistles of commendation to you, or (letters) of commendation from you?

Many of the peculiarities of this epistle are due to the fact that at the time of writing it the apostle’s mind was filled with conflicting feelings. On the one hand, he was filled with gratitude to God and love to the Corinthians on account of their repentance and ready obedience; and on the other, with feelings of indignation at the perverse and wicked course adopted by the false teachers in Corinth. Hence even in the expression of the former class of feelings, he is interrupted or turned aside by the thought that his opponents were on the watch to turn every thing to his disadvantage. Thus although there was nothing of a spirit of self-commendation in his thanking God for causing him to triumph, or in the assertion of his sincerity, in 1:15-17, yet he knew that his enemies would put that construction on what he had said. He seems to hear them say, ‘He is commending himself again.’ It is plain from the use of the word again in this connection that the charge of praising himself had before been made against the apostle, whether founded on his former epistle or what he said on other occasions, is uncertain and unimportant.

Commentary on the second epistle to the Corinthians:  Hodges

On a personal note, and not that I am commending myself, I understand and resonate with how Paul must feel when he thinks about the Corinthians.  He has labored long and hard to win them to Christ and is filled with love and concern for them and their maturity.  They are his spiritual children and his legacy.  They are his letter of recommendation in regards to his fulfilling God's call on his life.  I am thankful for the incredible privilege and opportunity I have had to be a part of the lives of so many incredible men and women who continue to grow and mature and become more like Christ.  I continually pray that you all will prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers.