Holy Separation
Scripture reading for August 5: 2 Corinthians 6
“”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 has 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.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Paul explained that as new creations, believers had some choices to make. God did not want them yoked together with unbelievers. Paul used five questions to probe the understanding of those he was writing these instructions to. The answers were obvious to each question, showing the folly of becoming yoked with someone who was an unbeliever and still in the darkness of sin and under the devil’s influence. In considering covenant ties of marriage, the spouse to be must be a believer. In business partnerships, believers will work best together. In recreation, sinful pursuits must be avoided.
Paul explained how believers have now become a ‘temple of the living God.’ They belong fully and completely to God as His dwelling place and family. The result of this new world view was to bring about willing holy separation through joyful submission to God and His Word. Close partnerships with those not following Jesus were to be evaluated and any sinful activities or practices must be repented of and forsaken. Believers must prepare their lives to welcome God’s rule and relationship. They were to be fully dedicated to Him alone. Earlier, Paul had told those already married to unbelievers to live with them if possible, seeking to win them to the Lord and sanctify the children. (1 Corinthians 7:12-16)
As you evaluate your marriage, if applicable, partnerships, and committed relationships, would you consider yourself equally yoked spiritually? How does God’s desire for your holy separation from worldly entanglements and dedication to Him help your decisions to joyfully submit to Him?
Prayer: Holy Father, Your passionate and jealous love for me and each person is amazing and humbling. I am willing to separate from any unequal yoking or sinful behavior so that I can allow You to fully indwell my soul and body. I am your child and You are my Heavenly Father. Have Your way in me! Amen.
Ambassadors for Christ
Scripture reading for August 4: 2 Corinthians 5
“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.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Paul explained to the transformation that takes place when believers place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. The believer is born again and becomes a new creation. The old man has passed away, crucified with Christ. The new man, created in Christ Jesus in righteousness is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit dwelling within. Because of righteousness, believers are now able to be reconciled to God. They are no longer objects of His wrath because of sin. This was God’s plan of salvation in action, to reconcile the world to Himself through the message of reconciliation found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This transformation was instantaneous at our repentance and conversion. But this transformation is also ongoing in that now we become available to be Christ’s ambassadors. As ambassadors, we represent Christ and His Gospel appeal to others. We can implore others to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. This is possible because God made His Son, Jesus Christ, to be sin although He was without sin Himself. He bore our sins on the cross and died on our behalf that we might through Him receive the Gift of righteousness from God our Father. As we mature as believers, we joyfully ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit to empower us to be ambassadors, appealing to all to enjoy reconciliation to their Father.
Have you had a believer who shared their faith in Jesus Christ with you? Can you declare today that you are a new creation in Jesus Christ? Has your spiritual transformation progressed to where you consider yourself an ambassador for Christ Jesus?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing plan to reach all people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank You for sending ambassadors to me on several occasions, including my mother, my Sunday School teachers, and youth leaders. Fill me with the Holy Spirit again today and send me as Your ambassador. Amen.
The Gospel of Glory!
Scripture reading for August 1: 2 Corinthians 4
“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.” But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:2-7
After describing how the Spirit of God indwelling believers brings freedom and an ever-increasing transformation into the image of Christ and His glory, (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) Paul tells the believers that some cannot lay hold of the Gospel truth. Their enemy, Satan, has blinded their minds and hidden the light of the Gospel of Christ’s glory from them. They continue in darkness and remain unchanged and in bondage to sin and self. But this does not deter Paul and those helping him share the Gospel. Paul continued to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord as a faithful servant of God serving Jesus and others as He commanded.
Paul knew that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the power of God to salvation to those who would believe. (Romans 1:16) God used the Gospel to shine the light of His Son into darkened hearts. Through the Gospel, the glory of God in Jesus Christ’s face was unveiled and Satan’s darkness dispelled! Believers cannot be boastful about this, because this is all a work of God on their behalf. They have this treasure of the knowledge of God’s glory in Christ in their mortal body, likened to a jar of clay. But God through His Holy Spirit transforms our jars of clay ultimately into a glorious body, like Jesus’ glorious body! Amen!
Does your world view include the spirit world and an understanding of the god of this world, the devil? Have you heard the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, Son of God, dying on a cross as a sacrifice for sin? How has this Gospel helped you to understand the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Father God, I am so blessed to have heard the Gospel from a young age and to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to salvation and transformation. Thank You for those you sent as Your servants to share with me. Here I am, send me as Your servant and allow the light of Your glory to shine through me. Amen.
Spirit written tablets!
Scripture reading for July 31: 2 Corinthians 3
“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 towards 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.” 2 Corinthians 3:2-6
Paul explained to the Corinthians the spiritual nature of the New Covenant that had brought them salvation and made them into a new creation in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:17) He compared them to a letter written by the Holy Spirit from Christ that was delivered by Paul and His ministerial team. They had preached the Gospel of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. The Corinthians had repented and believed. The Holy Spirit had come and written God’s law and Word on the tablet of their heart, bringing them into God’s family and eternal life.
This letter written by the Holy Spirit on believers human hearts was contrasted with the letter from God received by Moses on Mt. Sinai written on tablets of stone. That first letter had brought conviction of sin and revealed God’s wrath and death. The Law came with thunder and lightning and glory that faded from Moses. (2 Corinthians 3:9-13) The Law was glorious but was superseded by the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit comes into the repentant believer in Jesus and writes God’s Word on the tablet of the human heart. That glory that comes into the believer transforms them into a new creation that increases in glory as the Spirit brings revelation. The Spirit brings eternal life!
Have you ever struggled with trying to keep God’s law and do everything to make Him happy? How does viewing your life in Christ as a letter from God written by the Holy Spirit help your attitude? Do you have confidence towards God in your salvation?
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful that You have given me rest from a life of working to please You. I am confident in Your New Covenant with me through the Holy Spirit living in me and transforming me through a relationship, not just rules. I look forward to life daily and life eternal in Your Spirit. Amen!
Forgiveness Applied!
Scripture reading for July 30: 2 Corinthians 2
“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.” 2 Corinthians 2:6-10
Paul had worked with the Corinthian believers and church leaders through a difficult case requiring church discipline. (1 Corinthians 5) Evidently, this person who had been given over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh was now repentant. Paul urges the church to forgive him as Christ has already forgiven us. Withholding forgiveness can cause excessive sorrow and unnecessary division in Christ’s church. Forgiveness is not saying what was done was now accepted. Forgiveness says that a repentant heart receives grace from God and as God’s family, we also must give grace as Christ gave us grace.
Paul tells how he personally had to forgive members of the church there that had turned against him and spoken critically of his ministry and motives. Paul pointed them to Satan’s designs to cause hatred and distrust and division in Christ’s church. When we forgive, we defuse Satan’s designs and plans. These truths help all of Christ’s followers to see how to operate against a cunning enemy. Forgiveness is a choice that springs from the heart of our Lord Jesus Himself and the Holy Spirit living in us.
Have you ever found it difficult to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply? How does this instruction to the Corinthian church help you to be aware of Satan’s devices against you and the church? Have you ever been repentant but not found forgiveness from the one you wronged, in spite of asking?
Prayer: Father God, I admit that I have struggled to forgive those in the church that have turn against me or falsely accused me. Thank You for leading me to repentance for my attitudes and helping me to be aware of Satan’s devices. Please pour out Your grace on Your church enabling forgiveness. Amen.
God is faithful to His Promises
Scripture reading for July 29: 2 Corinthians 1
“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.” 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Paul was again writing to the believers at Corinth to encourage them to remain in faith. They could trust God’s Word and His promises. When Paul preached the Word of God, it was not ambiguous or hard to understand. Jesus Christ was proclaimed clearly as the Son of God and the Savior Messiah. Jesus Christ was and is faithful to all of God’s Word. Because of this, our only need is to say Amen–Yes Lord, Let it be so! When we do so by simple faith in Jesus Christ, God is glorified and establishes us deeper in faith and true understanding of God our Father.
Not only are all God’s promises true and Yes for believers, but God has anointed all believers with His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit dwells in each believer eternally and helps them to know and apply God’s Word as they have needs. The Spirit helps them to pray according to God’s perfect will and Word. The Spirit seals each believer and causes them to know God as “Abba” “Father”. (Romans 8:15) He is our guarantee of our salvation, marking us as belonging to God’s forever family. These promises shape our world view and deepen our faith and increase our power to be a witness.
Are you skeptical about the promises of God for forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and the only Way to God? Are you assured of your salvation and adoption into God’s family?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing Your Son Jesus Christ to me through the preaching of Your Word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Thank you that all Your promises find their Yes in Jesus Christ our Lord. Fill me again with Your Holy Spirit and use me to bring Your Promise in Jesus to others. Amen.
Watchful and loving!
Scripture reading for July 28: 1 Corinthians 16
“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.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-16
Paul closes his letter to the believers in Corinth with a gentle reminder of their need to walk out their faith with watchfulness and love. Watchfulness is needed because there is a real enemy, Satan, who is always out to deceive believers with lies or accusations. There are also those in the church who are not fully committed to the Lord and are still in some bondage to Satan and are capable of causing division and leading others astray. We are to be loving to all, but discerning and watchful. It is loving to protect those in the church by watchfulness and correction where necessary.
Paul also urged the believers to be strong in their faith, standing firm in the truth and submitted to those who are elders in the church. Paul named the household of Stephanas and others like these as those to be subject to and serve in love. As we mature, we are to develop a world view of understanding and discernment that acts in love to equip and protect others in the church. We are to humbly stay submitted to mature and committed leaders that also watch over us and give an account to God on our behalf. (Hebrews 13:17)
How would you describe your current walk as a believer of Jesus Christ? Is watchfulness a big part of your life and are you submitted to mature leaders in the church who will watch with you? Would you describe your walk as strong and loving?
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for reminding me of my need to be watchful over myself, my family, and brothers and sisters in my church family. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to be strong in my faith and do everything in Christ’s love. I willingly submit to those in church leadership. Amen.
The last trumpet mystery!
Scripture reading for July 25: 1 Corinthians 15
“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 you sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:50-55
There were those in the Corinthian church that were doubting the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To the natural mind, a dead person can not be revived. So if we only think rationally, we know that Jesus Christ died a horrible death through crucifixion and was certified dead by Roman soldiers who pierced His side and thrust the spear through His heart. He was placed in a tomb and it was secured by a large group of soldiers to guard against someone stealing the body. These men were bribed to say that Jesus’ body was stolen while they slept. But if the resurrection of Jesus was just a fake stealing of a dead body, those trusting in Jesus have believed in vain. Salvation is a hoax and believers are most to be pitied because their faith is worthless.
But Jesus did die. Jesus was buried and His body lay in a tomb for three days. Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples, the women, and over five hundred at one time! (1 Corinthians 15:5-7) He appeared to Paul, who was writing this letter. Paul explained the mystery that in Christ, we who believe now have eternal life. At the last trumpet, our bodies will be transformed in a twinkling of an eye! Mortal flesh will put on immortality! Perishable bodies will be transformed to glorious bodies like that of Jesus’ resurrected body! We will put on the image of the Man of Heaven forever and ever! Death will be swallowed up in victory!
Have you ever been tormented by a fear of death for yourself or a loved one? How does this passage of Scripture help you to have a new world view of life here now and after death? Have you shared this ‘mystery’ with someone close to you?
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for revealing this great mystery of victory over death and the grave! My fear of death is gone and I love to share this Good News of eternal life with my family and friends. I rejoice in the victory over death won for me by my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!
Order in the Church!
Scripture reading for July 24: 1 Corinthians 14
“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 the prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:26-33
As Paul was summarizing the instruction for the Corinthian church concerning spiritual gifts, he kept it simple with some basic principles. As God has given gifts to each person, the church should come together willing and ready to share the gifts, teaching, singing, and knowledge God has revealed. This should be done in an orderly manner so as not to cause confusion. Each person should lovingly use their gifts to build up the church, deferring to one another out of love and respect. Peace and wholeness is promised.
To keep the order manageable, Paul suggested that two or three speak in tongues, one at a time. Each tongue must have an interpretation so that all might be edified and not confused. Prophets should also speak by two or three, one at a time. If a prophetic word or message inspires another to speak, then space should be given for that person. Each prophet or speaker in tongues or interpreter should act in love and self-control to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to bring the proper growth and response God is using them to accomplish. In this way the church will function in the power and liberty of the Holy Spirit and equip the saints for work of ministry.
Do you always take time to invite the Holy Spirit to use you or your giftings before meeting with God’s people? Does the church family you belong to allow those in the church to share their giftings during the church service? How would your own life change if you and your church actively sought God’s direction of each service?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for calling each person and giving gifts that will build up and equip Your church. Teach me as a pastor to better equip and instruct Your people in using their gifts and allowing God to work supernaturally each week as we gather for prayer, worship and Word. Amen.
Love is the greatest gift!
Scripture reading for July 23: 1 Corinthians 13
“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.” 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
As Paul wrote to correct the Corinthians and instruct them in spiritual gifts and offices, he wrote one of the most famous teachings on love that are found in literature. The Corinthians had been zealous for the gifts of the Spirit and the offices of leadership, but failed to act in love. Paul noted the fact that love never ends or becomes obsolete. This is not true of many of the other gifts. Prophecies would be fulfilled or forgotten. Those excelling in knowledge will find that their knowledge, no matter how vast, is just a drop in the ocean of God’s knowledge. Those speaking in other tongues would one day cease to be able to speak at all or the spiritual language they used would be replaced by a more perfect language.
The truth of the matter is that we all are like children growing up spiritually. We initially know only a little but eventually know that we don’t know anything! So Paul’s wise advice was to follow the more excellent way of love. (1 Corinthians 12:31) Love covers a multitude of sins. Love never fails to do what is excellent and helpful to build up. The gifts must be undergirded with love or they fail God’s purposes. Without love, God’s Word can become harsh and unfruitful. We may not understand this fully now, but when Jesus comes, it will be fully comprehended by those following Him.
Have you ever left out love from your spiritual gifts or pursuits? Can the gifts of the Spirit work effectively without love? As you read these verses from 1 Corinthians 13, what aspects of love would you ask our Lord to increase in your life?
Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for sending a river of Your amazing love in Your Gift of the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for not always allowing Your love and mercy and goodness to be my priority in doing works of service. Keep my heart focused on the flow of Your amazing love. Amen.