November 28 - II Corinthians 7-9
The first verse of chapter 7 seems to signal a shift in Paul's theme. In this passage he does not deal with problems, so much as he seeks to encourage the believers to grow in their relationship with the Lord. He refers to it as "perfecting holiness." This is a great description. When we come to know Christ, we are set apart for Him and His work, but our holiness is not complete in the sense that we must learn to live it out every day. That is what Paul is saying here. Make sure you live like Jesus would live each day.
Chapter 7 goes on to express the meaning of godly sorrow and repentance. No one can grow in Christ without understanding that it is not enough to be sorry for his sins, but he must turn from those sins or repent, so that he ceases doing that wrong action or attitude. Then and only then is the process complete. Have you learned this truth? Can you look back on things which have been eliminated from your life because of godly sorrow that led to repentance? I hope you can make a long list of those things. That is the path to fulfillment and joy in life.
Chapters 8 and 9 are about the offering that was being taken in the Gentile churches for the Jewish believers in Judea, who were suffering through a drought and persecution for their faith in Christ. The churches in Macedonia had set the pace even though they were poorer people than most. They had given above and beyond their means, trusting God to supply their need. This is a great lesson for all of us about giving. It is an act of holiness. It shows how much we trust God. Then, Paul was encouraging the Corinthian believers to have their gift ready when he got there, because they had started before the churches in Macedonia, and it would be bad for them not to fulfill their promise to give to this need. I am afraid this happens to a lot of people. They boast about giving a big gift, but they don't follow through. Please, remember that God holds you to your vows and promises. This is especially true when you make a public commitment. We should be cheerful givers, and then God can bless us even more abundantly to provide for our needs.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Corinthians 10-13.
Chapter 7 goes on to express the meaning of godly sorrow and repentance. No one can grow in Christ without understanding that it is not enough to be sorry for his sins, but he must turn from those sins or repent, so that he ceases doing that wrong action or attitude. Then and only then is the process complete. Have you learned this truth? Can you look back on things which have been eliminated from your life because of godly sorrow that led to repentance? I hope you can make a long list of those things. That is the path to fulfillment and joy in life.
Chapters 8 and 9 are about the offering that was being taken in the Gentile churches for the Jewish believers in Judea, who were suffering through a drought and persecution for their faith in Christ. The churches in Macedonia had set the pace even though they were poorer people than most. They had given above and beyond their means, trusting God to supply their need. This is a great lesson for all of us about giving. It is an act of holiness. It shows how much we trust God. Then, Paul was encouraging the Corinthian believers to have their gift ready when he got there, because they had started before the churches in Macedonia, and it would be bad for them not to fulfill their promise to give to this need. I am afraid this happens to a lot of people. They boast about giving a big gift, but they don't follow through. Please, remember that God holds you to your vows and promises. This is especially true when you make a public commitment. We should be cheerful givers, and then God can bless us even more abundantly to provide for our needs.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Corinthians 10-13.