II Corinthians 1
Introduction of second letter to Corinthverses 1-2
Paul – an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God
and Timothy our brother
unto the church of God which is at Corinth
with all the saints which are in all Achaia
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father
and from the Lord Jesus Christ
God gives comfort to those who are sufferingverses 3-7
Blessed be God – even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
the Father of mercies – and the God of all comfort
WHO comforts us in all our tribulation
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are
comforted of God
FOR as the suffering of Christ abound in us
so our consolation also abounded by Christ
AND whether we be afflicted
it is for your consolation and salvation
which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings
which we also suffer
or whether we be comforted – it is for your consolation
and salvation
And our hope of you is steadfast – knowing
that as you are partakers of the sufferings
so shall you be also of the consolation
Answered prayer bring comfort to suffering believersverses 8-11
FOR we would not – brethren – have you ignorant of our trouble which
came to us in Asia – that we were pressed out of measure
above strength
Insomuch that we despaired even of life
but we had the sentence of death in ourselves
that we should not trust in ourselves
but in God which raises the dead
WHO delivered us from so great a death
and does deliver
IN WHOM we trust that HE will
yet deliver us
You also helping together by prayer for us
that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of
many persons thanks
may be given by many on our behalf
Paul is straightforward with believers in Corinthverses 12-14
FOR our rejoicing is this – the testimony of our conscience
that in simplicity and godly sincerity – not with fleshly wisdom
but by the grace of God
we have had our conversation in the world
and more abundantly to you-ward
FOR we write none other things unto you
than what you read or acknowledge
and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end
as also you have acknowledged us in part
that we are your rejoicing
even as you also are ours in the
day of the Lord Jesus
Paul looking forward to second visitverses 15-16
And in this confidence I was minded to come to you before
that you might have a second benefit
and to pass by you into Macedonia
and to come again out of Macedonia to you
and of you to be brought on my way toward Judea
Paul’s purposes are established by the LORDverses 17-20
WHEN I therefore was thus minded – did I use lightness?
or the things that I purpose – do I purpose according to the flesh
that with me there should be yea – yea – and nay – nay?
BUT as God is true – our word toward you was not yea and nay
for the Son of God – Jesus Christ
WHO was preached among you by us
even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus
was not yea and nay
but in HIM was yea
FOR all the promises of God in HIM are yea – and in HIM AMEN
to the glory of God by us
All believers are sealed with the Holy Spiritverses 21-22
NOW he which stablished us with you in Christ
and has anointed us – is God
WHO has also sealed us
and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts
Paul’s desire is for joy in fellow workersverses 23-24
MOREOVER I call God for a record upon my soul
that to spare you I came not as yet to Corinth
Not for that we have dominion over your faith
BUT are helpers of your joy for by faith you stand
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (3870 “comfort” [parakaleo] means urge, implore, exhort, to alleviate sorrow or distress, give emotional strength to, encouragement, to console, call together to encourage, or speak words of encouragement)
DEVOTION: I have an opportunity to minister to many people around the world through the devotionals that I send out each day. Many are struggling in their walk with the LORD. Some only need someone to pray with them, so that, they are encouraged during a time of trouble in their life.
One Sunday night I received a text at about 1: 30 A.M. from a couple who wanted me to pray with them if I was still up. I was up of course as my usual bedtime is after 2:30 A.M. each morning. I have many mornings that I don’t go to bed until four or five in the morning depending on the activities of the day.
I prayed with the couple not because I was someone super spiritual but because we are all laborers together in this world for the LORD. We have the responsibility to be available to serve the LORD at any time night or day. I tell people that I am just a phone call away.
Jesus is just a prayer away from us. HE never leaves us or forsakes us. This is a promise for us. Many of us want others to come alongside to be the human representatives for God even if they know that we are fellow sinners in the service of the King.
All those who want to serve the LORD should be available to comfort those who are struggling or in trouble. I have people who have come alongside each time the LORD has put me through situations I don’t understand or have gotten myself into. HE has never left my side. We need to praise HIM because HE never leaves any of HIS children’s sides anytime.
Remember we should always be a text or phone call away from our fellow believers who need encouragement. Some might abuse this but they have to answer to the LORD.
CHALLENGE: We have to answer to the LORD if we are not available.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation. (3874 “consolation” [parakletos] means encouragement, solace, comfort, exhortation, entreaty, a calling near, encouragement with alleviation of grief, or that which affords refreshment)
DEVOTION: This word is used eleven times in this book. Paul starts this second (which is the third because it is thought that the second one was lost) letter to the church at Corinth by telling them that there is suffering involved in the Christian life.
Paul has experienced this suffering to the point of wanting to die or some have wanted to kill him. He informs the Christians in the church at Corinth that the LORD has comforted him during these times of trial or trouble. He continues to tell them that the LORD will do the same for them.
Some Christians today suffer to this point as well. Paul tells us later in this book that God gave him a thorn in the flesh. He requested of God that HE remove the thorn but God said NO. HE told Paul that HE wants man to depend on him. God wanted to have Paul and all Christians to realize that HIS grace is sufficient to help in times of trouble and suffering. HE wants us to realize that we are weak without HIM. Paul tells the believers that the LORD want to encourage them during times of trouble. HE encouraged Paul and Paul was encouraging them and they were to encourage others who are going through trials. The church was to be a body of believers who were going to suffer together and encourage one another during their times of suffering because the LORD was right there by their side to carry them through the times of suffering.
Too often we think we are strong enough to handle our own problems. We think that we can work our way through any situation. Like Paul, we need to realize that we can only survive with the help of the LORD in this world. We have hope only because of Christ. With suffering comes a time of refreshing. There is always refreshment from God during our suffering. HE never promises to take the suffering away from us. Our suffering is only for a short while compared to eternity. HIS word can be a book of comfort. If we trust HIM, HE will make sure that comfort from the comforter is always at hand.
Remember our COMFORTER is the Holy Spirit who has been given to all believers as an engagement ring to a future wedding. We are going to the WEDDING of the BRIDEGROOM which is Jesus Christ because we are the BRIDE. The church is the BRIDE of Christ. HE is never going to leave us or forsake us. So when the going gets tough – the saints depend on the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Look to the LORD for comfort in times of trouble. HE wants to encourage us. Praise HIS name!!!
: 20 For all the promises of God in HIM are yes, and in HIM Amen, to the glory of God by us. (1860 “promises” [epaggelia] means a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do something in the future, agreement, consent, decision, notification, mandate, edict, or consent approval)
DEVOTION: When we make a promise what does that mean to us? Do we intend to keep what we have promised no matter what or if circumstances change do we forget our promise to someone? Today it seems to not be a hard thing to say we are going to do something and then forget to do it or never intend to do it. It is a sad commentary on the word of a fellow believer if we wonder if they really mean what they say to us.
Paul was the type of believer that we all should be. We have to say we will do something according to the will of God. I try to say that I will be some place or do something “Love willing.” Remember that at times we have a plan and God has a plan and HE always wins. I have learned that I need to tell people when I say I will do something that my plans can change according to what I hear from the LORD. I have not given up on planning but I am very aware that what I plan can be changed.
Here we have Paul stating that the promises of God are always kept no matter what. HE will not change. HE answers prayers. HE is by our side during good times and bad times. Believers have these promises.
Those outside of Christ don’t have these promises available until they make a decision to follow the LORD. Once the decision is made genuinely we start serving the LORD and as we remain faithful to HIM HE will remain faithful to bless us. If we stray HE will correct us and once back on the right path HE will continue to bless us. Remember “blessing” don’t always mean money or heal.
CHALLENGE: God wants to bless others through us. That is an amazing fact. Hopefully I can be a blessing to others today and that can be true of you too.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand. (4904 “helper” [sunergos] means fellow worker, co-worker, joining in work, accomplice, coadjutor, or colleague)
DEVOTION: This word is used twelve times in the writings of Paul and one time in the third epistle of John. He wanted his fellow laborers to know that he needed their assistance. He gave credit where credit was due. He had a desire to show other believers that he was a team player. He needed to have encouragement from others and he knew that others needed his encouragement.
He stated the purpose of Christians working together. It was for all to have joy in serving Jesus. Many times, people would become discouraged that there were not results or there was persecution and many times there was even imprisonment for those who were faithful to the LORD.
If he and others could produce joy in serving Jesus their faith would be real to them and it would show to others. He didn’t want to have dominion over the believers of Corinth. He wanted to be a fellow worker who instructed them because he had a relationship with the church as an instructor. They listened to him because they had watched his life and realized that the LORD was using him for HIS glory.
We should want to have our faith stand as an example to others. This can only happen if we don’t get an attitude of superiority over others. We are not the boss we are fellow servants with a goal of having others have joy in serving Jesus.
Do we express ourselves as fellow sinners trying to encourage fellow sinners to have joy in serving Jesus?
CHALLENGE: If this is not happening in your home and church ask the LORD to help you manifest this attitude.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Writeverse 13
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Prayerverse 11
Thanksverse 11
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Writeverse 13
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 1-4, 9, 12, 18-21, 23
Will of Godverse 1
Fatherverses 2, 3
God our Fatherverse 2
Blessedverse 3
Father of our Lord Jesus Christverse 3
Father of merciesverse 3
God of all comfortverse 3
Comforted of Godverse 4
Raises the deadverse 9
Deliveranceverse 10
Grace of Godverse 12
God is trueverse 18
Promises of Godverse 20
Glory of Godverse 20
God has sealed believersverse 22
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Jesusverses 1-3, 14, 19
Christverses 1-3, 5, 19, 21
Jesus Christverses 1, 19
Lord verses 2, 3, 14
Lord Jesus Christverses 2, 3
Sufferings of Christverse 5
Consolation of Christverse 5
Lord Jesusverse 14
Son of Godverse 19
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Earnest of the Spiritverse 22
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Corinthverses 1, 23
Achaiaverse 1
Asiaverse 8
Worldverse 12
Macedoniaverse 16
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Trust in ourselvesverse 9
Fleshly wisdomverse 12
Use lightnessverse 17
Purpose according to the fleshverse 17
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Saintsverse 1
Graceverses 2, 12
Peaceverse 2
Merciesverse 3
Comfortverses 3, 4, 6
Tribulationverse 4
Comfort one anotherverse 4
Sufferingverses 5-7
Consolationverses 5-7
Afflictedverse 6
Salvationverse 6
Hopeverse 7
Troubleverse 8
Trustverses 9, 10
Deliveranceverse 10
Prayerverse 11
Rejoicingverses 12, 14
Testimony of our conscienceverse 12
Simplicityverse 12
Godly sincerityverse 12
Acknowledge fellow believersverses 13, 14
Promisesverse 20
Stablishedverse 21
Anointedverse 21
Earnest of the Spiritverse 22
Sealedverse 22
Faithverse 24
Joyverse 24
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Judaeaverse 16
Church (New Testament people of God)
Paulverse 1
Apostleverse 1
Church of God at Corinthverse 1
Timothyverse 1
Brotherverse 1
Churchverse 1
Brethrenverse 8
Second benefitverse 15
Preach Jesus Christverse 19
Silvanusverse 19
Timothyverse 19
Helpersverse 24
Last Things (Future Events)
Sentence of deathverses 9, 10
Day of the Lord Jesusverse 14
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QUOTES regarding passage
1:23–24. Paul had earlier begun to explain his change of plans (v. 15). There he had mentioned his “message” (v. 18) in connection with his own integrity, which led to his digression in verses 19–22. He now returned to explain his altered plans.
He understood that his changed plans had caused a problem in Corinth. This is evident from the strength of his declaration, I call God as my witness (cf. Rom. 1:9; Phil. 1:8; 1 Thes. 2:5, 10). With a solemn oath (with God as the Judge) Paul staked his life on the truthfulness of his explanation which followed. It was out of consideration for the Corinthians, a desire to avoid disciplinary action (to spare you) that Paul had deferred his visit. Even though he had great authority as an apostle (2 Cor. 10:2–8; cf. 1 Cor. 5:4–5; 1 Tim. 1:20) Paul was reluctant to wield it. He did not lord it over their faith, that is, domineeringly take advantage of the fact that they came to faith in Christ through him. Dictatorial means can produce compliance but not the obedience that comes from faith which he sought. Authoritarian domination is often the manner of false apostles and the kingdom they serve (cf. 2 Cor. 11:13–15), but it was not the way of Christ (Luke 22:25–27) nor of those who stand in His stead (1 Peter 5:3). Paul assured the Corinthians, We work with you (lit., “we are fellow workers”; cf. 1 Cor. 3:9); he did not work against them or over them. (Lowery, D. K. (1985). 2 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 557). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Finally, when you have a clear conscience, you will be on good terms with the Spirit of God (2 Cor. 1:21–24). The word established is a business term and refers to the guarantee of the fulfilling of a contract. It was the assurance that the seller gave to the buyer that the product was as advertised, or that the service would be rendered as promised.
The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that He is dependable and will accomplish all that He has promised. Paul was careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit; and, because the Spirit was not convicting him, he knew that his motives were pure and his conscience was clear.
All Christians have been anointed by the Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21). In the Old Testament, the only persons who were anointed by God were prophets, priests, and kings. Their anointing equipped them for service. As we yield to the Spirit, He enables us to serve God and to live godly lives. He gives us the special spiritual discernment that we need to serve God acceptably (1 John 2:20, 27).
The Spirit has also sealed us (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13) so that we belong to Christ and are claimed by Him. The witness of the Spirit within guarantees that we are authentic children of God and not counterfeit (Rom. 5:5; 8:9). The Spirit also assures us that He will protect us, because we are His property.
Finally, the Holy Spirit enables us to serve others (2 Cor. 1:23–24), not as “spiritual dictators” who tell others what to do, but as servants who seek to help others grow. The false teachers who invaded the Corinthian church were guilty of being dictators (see 2 Cor. 11), and this had turned the hearts of the people away from Paul, who had sacrificed so much for them.
The Spirit is God’s “earnest” (down payment, guarantee, security) that one day we shall be with Him in heaven and possess glorified bodies (see Eph. 1:14). He enables us to enjoy the blessings of heaven in our hearts today! Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Paul was able to have a clear conscience and face misunderstandings with love and patience. If you live to please people, misunderstandings will depress you; but if you live to please God, you can face misunderstandings with faith and courage. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 634). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Ver. 24. Not for that we have dominion, &c.] Since he had spoke of sparing of them, lest it should be thought that he and his fellow-ministers assumed to themselves any tyrannical power over the churches, or lorded it over God’s heritage, these words are subjoined: in which there is something denied of the ministers of the Gospel, as that they have not dominion over your faith; by which may be meant birth the grace and doctrine of faith: they cannot give or produce in the heart the grace of faith; that is the gift of God; of which Christ is not only the object, but the author; it is of the operation of the spirit, and the effect of almighty power; it flows entirely from the free grace of God; all that ministers can do is to propose the object of faith, and, by arguments taken from the word of God, encourage souls to believe in the object proposed, and so are, through a divine blessing on their ministrations, instruments by which some believe; but they themselves can’t command faith in any; nor can they increase or add unto it where it is; this also is the Lord’s work: nor have they any dominion over the doctrine of faith; they are to deliver nothing to the people but what is contained in the Scriptures, and the people are obliged to believe no more than what they find there; no alteration is to be made in the rule and doctrine of faith; ministers have no power to make and impose new articles of faith, though they may require and insist upon an assent to those truths which they deliver, according to the word of God. Likewise, something is asserted of them, but are helpers of your joy. Joy is a grace wrought in the soul by the spirit of God, of which Christ is the object; it goes along with faith, and as that improves, so does this; it is often interrupted by the corruptions of the heart, the temptations of Satan, and divine desertions, and so is in this life imperfect; though it may be increased, as it sometimes is, and that by the ministration of the Gospel; for as the ministers of it are the means and instruments of that joy which is first felt in conversion, so likewise of increasing it by their comfortable doctrines and instructions; for their ministry is, and is often blessed, for the furtherance and joy of faith. A reason of which is given, for by faith ye stand; and so are not subject to men, nor to any tyrannical government of ours; nor have we any thing to charge you with concerning your faith: which may design the grace of faith, and express its use in the perseverance of the saints, who stand not upon their faith, but by it; and by it, not as a cause but as a means of their perseverance; by which they rely on the power and faithfulness of God, lean upon Christ, and walk on in him, live upon him, continually receive from him, and in his strength stand against the temptations of Satan, and snares of the world: and it may also denote the strength and continuance of faith; a man may be said to stand by it, when he strongly believes his interest in God, in his love, and the covenant of his grace, his interest in Christ, and salvation by him; is satisfied about the truth of grace on his soul, makes no demur upon the promises, nor hesitates about the doctrines of grace, or his future happiness, but rejoices in hope of the glory of God; as also, when he continues in the exercise of faith, notwithstanding the corruptions of his nature, the temptations of Satan, the hidings of God’s face, and the many afflictions and trials he meets with in the world. Moreover, this passage may be applied to the doctrine of faith, in and by which the saints may be said to stand, in opposition to any wavering or hesitation about it, to a cowardly spirit in giving way in the least to the adversaries of it, or to a departing from it; which by no means should be done, though a greater number is on the other side, and they be the rich and learned; though the doctrines of it are disagreeable to the carnal reason of man, are loaded with reproach, and followed with the rage, malice, and persecutions of men: or these words may relate to a profession of faith: care should be used in taking up a profession of faith; where the true grace of God is, it ought to be done; when it is made, it ought to be stood in, and abode by; and it is the honour of saints to stand in it, and to it, and hold it fast. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 762–763). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
1:24 The statement that he wanted to spare them touches upon two issues in this letter, his love for them and his authority over them. Some in Corinth may have protested that Paul did not love them (2:4; see 6:11–13; 7:2–3; 11:11; 12:15). From his perspective, however, it was an act of love to refrain from coming to Corinth to dish out punishment. Also, stating in this way that he wanted to spare them assumes that he has authority over the community. If he could spare, he also has the authority to punish. But he is sensitive to how they perceive him exercising this authority. He has intimated that had he come he would have been forced to exercise his authority and punish the guilty parties. He backtracks, however, to make it clear that he has no desire to dominate them, to tell them what to think or do, or to control their faith. Apostles (and certainly pastors) are not lords over their churches. Only Jesus is Lord over their faith. Paul has no business and no intention of arrogating that role for himself.
Christians have been sealed with the Spirit and set free in the Spirit (Gal 5:1), and Paul has no desire to make them his theological serfs (1 Cor 7:23). He does not seek to control their thinking except to bring it in line with the cross or to make them his devotees except to make them recognize how God works through his weakness and give glory to God (see 1 Cor 1:12–17). He wants to win their consensus and develop the church’s sense of responsibility. Consequently, Paul does not browbeat his churches like an unbending dictator or manage their lives like a meddling parent. He believes in persuasion, not coercion, which is why he writes letters. How he uses his authority over the community’s faith is one of the things that distinguishes him from the interlopers who do act as overlords (11:19–20). He exercises considerable restraint because he wants to work “with” them, not “on” them. He understands the role of apostle as being a servant (4:5) and facilitator who brings joy, not pain, who builds up rather than tears down (see 10:8; 13:10). We frequently forget that one of the true marks of Christ’s church is joy. “If it was lacking, then the message of Jesus had either not been received or it had been given up; if it wavered, then faith also wavered.”136
Paul’s goal in this letter is to help the Corinthians make the necessary corrections themselves. He does not want to destroy the congregation’s responsibility. They must share in the exercise of authority (see 1 Cor 5:3–5; 2 Cor 2:6–8). They must learn to stand on their own faith. Sometimes it may seem easier to force compliance, but Paul knows that real faith cannot be force fed nor should it be spoon fed. Calvin’s comments on this passage are apt:
Faith should be completely free of any bondage to men. We should note well who it is that says this, for, if ever any mortal man had a right to claim such lordship, Paul was he. Thus we conclude that faith should have no master but the Word of God and is not subject to human control.… spiritual lordship belongs to none but God alone. This is always a settled principle—that pastors have no special lordship over men’s consciences because they are ministers and helpers and not lords.
He cites the castigation of the wicked shepherds in Ezekiel: “You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally” (Ezek 34:4).
Some translations have Paul affirming that they stand firm in the faith, “because you stand firm in the faith” (NRSV). The NIV interprets this statement more as a general principle, “because it is by faith you stand firm.” In this translation Paul is telling them how to stand firm. They do not stand firm because of Paul’s control as lord over their faith but by the faith they exercise in Christ as Lord. As Barrett understands it, Paul is saying, “You have your existence as Christians by faith, and your Christian existence in faith is determined by no man, but by God only.” Barrett concludes, “The apostolic proclamation evokes faith, but there is no apostolic domination that can command it.” An apostle can only work together with them for their joy.
The rendering of this verse in the NIV is the most likely, “it is by faith you stand firm.” But if this text should be interpreted instead as an affirmation of where they stand, “you stand firm in the faith,” it poses a difficulty. In 13:5 Paul writes, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Could he write both these lines in the same letter? Some contend that chaps. 10–13 are a separate letter written at a different time when he did not believe that the Corinthians did not stand firm in the faith.
An affirmation of their faith does not fit the context of his argument. But if this rendering is correct, it does not mean that this statement does not belong in the same letter as the challenge in 13:5. Paul knows that he is dealing with an audience alienated from him, and he does not wish to antagonize them from the outset before they have heard his argument to the end. It was extremely important to affirm the rapprochement between them and to establish their goodwill toward him first. The contentious issues over which he must chastise them are reserved for the conclusion of the letter. There we learn that the faith of some in Corinth may not be as secure. But Paul’s combination of the indicative and the imperative is well known. (Garland, D. E. (1999). 2 Corinthians (Vol. 29, pp. 110–112). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
FROM MY READING:
How One Preacher Handled His Critical Parishioners
A preacher had on his desk a special book labeled, “Complaints of Members Against One Another.” When one of his members called to tell him the faults of another, he would say, “Well, here’s my complaint book. I’ll write down what you say, and you can sign it. Then when I have to take up the matter officially, I shall know how I may expect you to testify.” The sight of the open book and ready pen had its effect, “Oh, no, I couldn’t sign anything like that!” was the common remonstrance and no entry was subsequently made.
The preacher said he kept the book for 40 years, opened it probably a thousand times, and never wrote a line in it. It’s worth trying preacher! (From my file)
Exodus 32
The Israelites sin by worshiping an idol-the golden calf.
INSIGHT
Sin does not mind rubbing shoulders with righteousness. Even while Moses is on Mount Sinai communing with God, the children of Israel are fashioning a golden idol to worship in His place. Fueled by shamelessness and a short memory, the Israelites rush headlong into one of the most remarkable displays of indiscretion in the Bible.
Beware! Even when you are rubbing shoulders with righteousness, sin can trip you up. Even when you are basking in the light of Mount Sinai, evil may be lurking in the shadows.
As Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). (Quiet Walk)
THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS THE PERSON OF CHRIST
No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 12:3
How does the Holy Spirit glorify Christ? It seems to me that the best way to look at this is to divide it into three main headings. First of all, He reveals the Lord Jesus Christ and His person. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians talks about the Lord of glory. Paul writes: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery . . . which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). But we, he says, have received the Spirit, and “the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (verse 10).
Do you see what that means? When the Lord Jesus was here as man, the Pharisees and the doctors of the law did not recognize Him; it was they who incited the people to cry out, “Away with Him, crucify Him.” The Greeks did not know Him either, nor did the great philosophers; they all rejected Him. They said it was nonsense and impossible that a carpenter like that should be the Son of God. And the reason they did not know Him was they had not received the Holy Spirit. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:3, “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
Have you not often been perplexed by the fact that many able men in this modern world of ours do not believe in the deity of Jesus Christ? They say that He was only a man. They praise Him and say He is the greatest man or teacher the world has ever known, but they do not see in Him the Son of God. We should never be happy about that. To recognize the Lord Jesus Christ is not a matter of intellect, but the greatest brain can never come to see it and believe it. It is a spiritual truth and something that is spiritually discerned. The Holy Spirit alone can reveal the person of Christ, but He can do it, and He can do it to anybody and to everybody.
A Thought to Ponder: The Holy Spirit alone can reveal the person of Christ.
(From Saved in Eternity, pp. 88-89, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
For Our Justification
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25)
We rejoice greatly in Christ’s resurrection, knowing that He has promised that “because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19). But it is also very important to realize and remember that if He had not been raised from the dead, we would still be lost sinners, separated eternally from God. He was raised, Paul reminds us, “for our justification.”
The immensity of the load of sin that Christ bore with Him on the cross is beyond comprehension. He had to “taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9), for He was the offering “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Since “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), were it not for the infinite power, as well as the infinite love, of both the Father and the Son, such an infinite weight of sin would seem impossible to overcome, so Christ would die forever, and we would be lost forever. How could we ever know that we had been forgiven and that He had paid the awful price that would suffice for our salvation? How could we ever be acquitted and declared righteous before God?
That is exactly what the resurrection of Christ assures! “By the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life” (Romans 5:18). His infinite righteousness has more than balanced the terrible weight of “the sin of the world,” and He was able to take it away (John 1:29). Although the wages of sin must be death, “the free gift is of many offences unto justification” (Romans 5:16).
This gift of total and eternal justification is free because of His love, but even a free gift must be accepted before it can be possessed. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
(HMM, The Institute For Creation Research)
Holiness is the sum of a million little things – the avoidance of little evils and little foibles, the setting aside of little bits of worldliness and little acts of compromise, the putting to death of little inconsistencies and little indiscretions, the attention to little duties and little dealings, the hard work of little self-denials and little self-restaints, the cultivation of little benevolences and little forbearances. Are you trustworthy? Are you kind? Are you patient? Are you joyful? Do you love? These qualities, working out in all the little things of life, determine whether you are blight or blessing to everyone around you, whether you are an ugly spiritual eyesore or growing up into a good-looking Christian. (p. 145, The Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung)
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