Ready or Not

Similar to the Apostle Paul’s warning to the Corinthian church of his visit, we are reminded to prepare for the coming of Christ. What will Jesus find us doing when He returns? Will we be busy serving Him? Will we be reflecting the character of God?

Through teaching 2 Corinthians, I have gained a profound admiration and respect for the Apostle Paul, both for his character and his ministry. In spite of the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual hardships, he was totally dedicated to doing God’s will. Because of his commitment to spreading the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the gift of the local church and the written Word of God. Because of his willingness to be used of God, we have a better understanding and appreciation for the “Abounding Grace of God.”

We ought to embrace the grace of God with all of our heart, might, and spirit. His marvelous grace is sufficient for us each day and in every moment of our brief life on this earth.

This Bible study series has been one of the most challenging to teach, yet one of the most applicable to current situations in my life. I am extremely grateful for the privilege to present the awesome Word of God, which is relevant and applicable to every aspect of life.

May we be found faithful in every area of life when He comes.

Contend for the Faith

We are blessed by the Apostle Paul’s self-sacrificing life. It is because of his strong godly testimony that he effectively dealt with self-serving false teachers of 2 Corinthians 11 and defended the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The false teachers could not even hold a candle to Paul’s knowledge, experience, strength and love.

The Apostle Paul was not a smooth-talker like the Judaizers, but he knew, taught, and lived the truth of the gospel. He was passionate about his calling to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He endured much persecution, trials, hardships, and loneliness for the sake of spreading God’s fame.

We are reminded in Jude 1:3 and 4 to “earnestly contend for the faith” against false teachers who pervert the truth. There will come a time in our life, as believers, when we will need to defend our faith and stand for the truth. Contending for the faith requires us to have a strong Christian testimony.

The challenge for us believers is what can we do today to ensure a good testimony? The answer is for us to relentless pursue holiness, live with convictions, stand for the truth, always show grace, and meet trials with faith.

I am rebuked as I survey my life and acknowledge how inadequate my testimony is for my savior Jesus Christ. I wince at the thought of persecution, hardship, and rejection. Compared to the life of the Apostle Paul and persecuted brethren around the world today, I live a life of much comfort and ease. If I have but just a little bit of the courage, passion, wisdom and love that the Apostle Paul possessed, then I would have achieved something worthwhile in this life.

Marked Man

How has criticism affected your life? Are you better or worse because of criticism?

In our study of 2 Corinthians 10, we are blessed by the Apostle Paul’s example of handling criticism in a Christ-honoring way. He defended his apostolic authority for the sake of the Lord’s work in Corinth against unwarranted and ungodly accusations. He handled criticism with meekness, gentleness and firmness.

Christ is our ultimate example. He spoke as one having authority, yet He was meek and mild.

We are reminded that we are engaged in spiritual warfare and we must fight these attacks with spiritual weapons based upon the truth of Scripture and the relentless pursuit of holiness.

As we face criticism, we must endeavor to show Christ-like love because it is about reflecting the character of God. Whether we are giving or taking criticism, may it be out of a heart of love for one another. Seek to benefit others first (Philippians 2:3-4).

When we are attacked, pray for wisdom, strength, encouragement, and love. Secondly, go to God’s Word and know the truth – be sure you know what you believe and why. Thirdly, put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18).

In all of life’s trials and triumphs, let us glory in the Lord and not ourselves. Our boasting or praises should be aimed at God who is worthy. Two of my favorite verses, “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Embrace the truth of God’s Word – learn it, love it and live it!

The Joy of Giving

This week’s lesson challenges us to be a cheerful giver. God approves of a giver who finds real pleasure in giving to the Lord’s work. Our giving should be deliberate. It should not be reluctant or compelled. It should be voluntary. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).

We find joy in giving because it glorifies God. When we give cheerfully unto the Lord our time, talents, and treasures, it reflects His character of love, holiness, righteousness and truth.

Our lesson concludes with a reminder to give God thanks for His indescribable gift of love – that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor 9:15).

Counting the abundance of blessings God has bestowed upon us including the gift of salvation, ought to bring joy to our hearts every moment for the rest of our life. Almighty God has given us His very best through Jesus Christ, how can we contemplate giving back to Him less than our utmost?

Charity Begins in the Heart

This week’s lesson focuses on this question, “knowing that the Lord has given so much to you, including the sacrifice He made at Calvary, what will you offer Him today?”

In 2 Corinthians 8:1—15, we are inspired to give unto the Lord by four examples of giving. Though they were poor and suffered many afflictions, the believers in the Macedonian churches gave generously to the church in Jerusalem. The Corinthian church was encouraged to finish the collection they started a year ago to help the Jerusalem church.

The account of the gathering of manna taught us the principle of proportionate giving or equality – we are to give “according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” God never asks us to give more than we can afford; however, we can not afford to give less than what God has given to us. We cannot out give God.

The most powerful motivation for us to give is the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. He came to earth in poverty and died for us. For our sakes He became poor (2 Cor. 8:9). By His death we became rich. We have spiritual riches in abundance in Christ.

We must give of ourselves first and foremost to the Lord and through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit; we can give of our time, talents, and treasures.

As I survey my life, I am humbled, blessed, and grateful by God’s abounding grace. God has always met my needs and bestowed much more. Through the difficult times while growing up poor and without an earthly father, my Savior provided grace for each day and gave me hope for a brighter tomorrow. Today, I am a living testimony of His marvelous love, providence, and sovereignty in the lives of His children.

Do I dare to offer my Lord anything less than my best today?

True Repentance Brings Relief

As I reflect on our lesson this morning on Biblical confrontation and true repentance, I am rebuked by my weakness in not Biblically confronting fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord who have sinned. In addition, I am convicted of the need to genuinely repent of sins in my life and get right with Almighty God.

I am reminded of two wonderful verses in Psalms which inspire and humble me:

· “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

· “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

May we acknowledge the sovereignty of God in our lives and diligently pursue holiness till the end of our days. May we care enough for others to lovingly and Biblically confront them so they truly become sorrowful for their sin and be restored to the Lord. In the process, we may have helped to keep them from the gates of destruction.

In essence, Biblical confrontation and true repentance is critical to our spiritual growth. When we take steps to confront sin and help bring about repentance, the broken bridge in the relationship with God is rebuilt. The result is marvelous peace enveloping us when there is nothing between us and the Savior.

Unequally Yoked

Are you influencing the world, or is it influencing you?

In this week’s lesson we focus on gaining a proper understanding of Biblical separation and challenging one another to seek intimate fellowship with God. We can not serve two masters! (Mat. 6:24)

Biblical separation is not about missed opportunities or settling for second best. It is not about striving for the fleeting approval of others, temporal worldly success, or shallow relationships that lack common spiritual grounds.

You see, Biblical separation is about embracing wonderful opportunities each day to pursue intimate fellowship with God by a relentless pursuit of holiness, Godly love, and dedication to spreading the good news of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Along the way, we will gain spiritual victories, live powerful Christian lives, and effectively minister to the lost world.

The greatest gift we can give to someone is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the greatest influence we can have is to lead someone to Christ and challenge them to seek an intimate relationship with Almighty God.

Can we actually entertain thoughts of a mighty and awesome God who want us to settle for anything less than His very best? “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

The entire resources of the Kingdom of God are at our disposal to glorify Him in this life – accomplish extraordinary things and impact the world. We should never settle for less by building alliances with unrighteousness, darkness, evil, idols, unbelievers, or pretenders of the truth.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? {15} And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? {16} And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. {17} Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, {18} And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor 6:14-18).

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1).