Tag: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-14
The God of peace and love!
Scripture reading for October 2nd: Jeremiah 14-16, Psalm 76, 2nd Corinthians 13
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-14 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Paul’s closing benediction calls the church at Corinth to joy and peace in the Holy Trinity. God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit bring love, peace and joy to all the saints. They are restoring all believers and bringing comfort, agreement and peace. As believers through the grace of Jesus Christ allow and invite God the Father to live in their midst, His love and peace brings true fellowship through the Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit living in each one. This is the pattern for God’s people everywhere–and especially in our lives today!
Psalm 76:1-2 “In Judah God is known; His Name is great in Israel. His abode has been established in Salem (Peace), His dwelling place in Zion.”
Faith confession and prayer: Heavenly Father, establish Your abode in my midst and the midst of Your Church. May Your grace and peace and love flow from Your people in unity and fellowship as they are fed by Your delightful Word.
Jeremiah 15:16 “Your Words were found and I ate them, and Your Words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by Your Name, O Lord, God of hosts.”
Life in Jesus!
Scripture reading for August 14th: 2nd Corinthians 13, Psalm 12, Proverbs 8
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-14 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Paul ended his letter with final instructions and a benediction or blessing. He was a loving pastor who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to instruct God’s church in restoring a repentant brother and healing divisions in the church caused by false teachers and people following men. Joy was prescribed and a focus on restoration and peacemaking. Tenderness and affection was to flow from all saints to all fellow believers. This was enabled by the grace of our Lord and God’s love and gift of the Holy Spirit to help us.
Faith confession: I thank You God for the grace of our Lord Jesus and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the precious Holy Spirit enabling me to live life in joy and maintaining the unity of the Trinity in the Church.
Proverbs 8:35-36 “For whoever finds Me, finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find Me injures himself; and all who hate Me love death.”
Take aim–a call to worship!
Scripture reading for August 14th: Psalm 94-97, 2nd Corinthians 13
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 13:11-14 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
As Paul closed his final letter to the Corinthians, after urging them to rejoice, he called them to take aim or to focus their life. The goal was restoration of the fallen brother and a flow of God’s comfort, peace and love in the body of believers. Father God, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit would be with them to help them hit the target! This calls for worship!
Psalm 96:6-7 “Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the people, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come into His courts.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your promised presence with Your people. As we focus on You and Your will and Word, we are drawn to worship You, the Strong and Beautiful One. Amen.