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2 Corinthians Chapter 7 

Scripture: 
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:8-11) 


Observation: 
This chapter is referencing a letter to the church of Corinth, sent by Paul in a matter of church discipline. He had to correct them on some issues they had and he was worried that they would take his instruction badly. It turns out, that the report back was good because their reaction lead to a change for the better even though it hurt them at the time. 

Then Paul points out the difference between worldly sorrow and Godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow does nothing but make you FEEL (guilty, sad, anger etc. and those emotions often lead you to behavior that you end up regretting). Godly sorrow however isn't about feelings but about change. It produces a change in thinking and behavior. 

Application: 
Here's my pointy question on the topic. Have you ever been chastised by someone in the body or corrected for something you've said or done? Did the confrontation result in anger, bitterness, division, or defensiveness? Or did it result in a turning from selfishness (sin) and embracing the desire to be more like Jesus? 


Prayer: 
Father I pray for unity within the body of Christ, that we would obey you first and then encourage one another, bear one another's burdens, and gently correct one another; give us the courage to conform our will to yours. Amen

What's All The Stink About?

2 Corinthians Chapter 2 

Scripture: 

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.(2 Cor. 2:14-17) 

Observation: 

I chose this scripture today because I'd always liked the imagery but didn't know what Paul was referencing when he wrote it.  So I used this as my opportunity to do some investigation.  Here's the scoop: When Romans lead prisoners of war away, they would light incense for the victory march on their way home.  This distinctive scent was literally "the smell of victory" for them.  For the prisoners who were being lead away to slavery or to execution, this was the smell of death. 

So the metaphor being used here is that the message of the gospel is that fragrance. Does the gospel pull you in closer to God, do you find peace and wisdom there?  Or do you feel defeated, condemned?   

Paul asks the question: "Who is equal to such a task?" in reference to preaching the gospel.  He says he speaks before God with "sincerity" the Greek word is one that implies transparency of motive.  The great commission Matt 28:16-20 makes it clear that speaking the gospel is a command, we can't get out of it, just because it's scary.  But what we say should stand up to the light of scripture, speaking HIS words and not for our own profit. 

Application: 

The question is a haunting one because there is so much responsibility in speaking the gospel to people.  How we use our words, the manner in which we present the gospel, provokes very strong reactions in the people around us!   

Prayer: 

Lord right now I want to pray for those who speak the gospel to their neighbors, that they would be transparent with their motives when they speak, that the smell of their life is as true-to-you as possible. Amen! 

To Be Known

 1 Corinthians 13 

Scripture: 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1Cor. 13:12-13) 

Observation: 

Last week in Chapter 8 we talked about how knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.  This section of scripture today picks up this same theme and rolls it around for us, looking at both in comparison and uses a tricksy English word to do it!  Let me show you what I mean: 

Knowledge, strict and logical that doesn't have compassion or empathy, (even if it is morally right or legal) is worthless.  That's why in chapter 8 the older Christians who were eating meat sacrificed to false gods were in the wrong - because it was putting their puffed up knowledge of "that has no power over me" above the younger Christians who were still fresh from that very thing; it still had a great deal of power over them and was causing them to be confused and upset.  

 Paul is still using this theme and describes the nature and attributes of compassionate love for one another as it is played out in our every day.  I can almost hear him say: "Here's what it looks like guys, just in case you need it 'logically' and clearly spelled out for you."  (never mind for a moment that it's used in nearly every wedding program - try to read the subtext under the poetic verse) 

But this same word - knowledge - he now turns on it's ear to describe how when God uses it properly, knowledge with love, he brings all that compassion and understanding into an intimacy with us that is characterized as full of acceptance.  In effect, building us up.  

Application: 

We are such selfish children at heart.  We push God away like an angry toddler and say "I do!"  Or, if you'd like to put it in current colloquialism "I got this" and because God IS love, anything done without him is all on our own resources.  Resources that are constantly taxed with worry, stress, distraction and the very selfishness that pushed us away from Him in the first place.  It's a resource that is left isolated with our own limited one-point-perspective knowledge. 

If, instead of pushing away from him we hold up our arms like a toddler to be picked up, then we get his perspective on our situation.  We see it from a higher angle and gain more knowledge to bear on our troubles.  A knowledge made more intimate because of the quality of that love-filled knowledge that is the very character of God.  The hurts of the world hurt less when we are cuddled against Daddy.  It's easier to be compassionate on others when His intimate knowledge of us takes the sting out of their misunderstanding of us. 

   

Prayer: 

Lord, we can make such complicated messes of our lives.  I pray that your Spirit helps us to reduce all those muddy complications down to the simplest of toddler choices:  "I Do!" or "Daddy, I Hold You!"  Our pride to do it on our own is constantly at war with the dependency necessary to bring love into our life and spill it out onto others.  Help us to discern when we are stepping away from you.   Amen. 

Stumbling Block

1st. Corinthians Chapter 8 

Scripture: 

But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (1st Cor. 8:8-9) 

Observation: 

First of all, background on the city of Corinth.  It was a tourist spot.  It sported a temple to Aphrodite which also housed temple prostitutes as the main attraction.    Part of the worship to this temple was to sacrifice animals, and it was so very popular that the priests had a hard time keeping up with eating their portions.  And so they sold the leftovers to the public; feasting became part of the experience of visiting the town.  This is the lifestyle of the average person that lived in Corinth and the challenges that faced the early church.  

Context for this chapter is that more mature Christians who knew that there wasn't any power in the false gods were eating at these feasts and those Christians who were young saw them do it.  They didn't understand that this meat sacrificed to idols had no power and it confused them why other believers would be eating there. 

Paul's response was to encourage the mature believers to chose love (which builds up) for their fellow believers over exercising the liberty they had through their knowledge (which puffs up).  He told them to abstain from any activity, including eating meat sacrificed to idols, that would be damaging their more immature brothers. 

Application: 

When I look at the issues that divide the church today I see echoes of this same thing in play today: where traditions, rituals, movies, music, alcohol, dancing and  clothing get in the way of being unified in Christ.  Later on in this book(10:23) Paul sums it up by saying "All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial." 

Prayer: 

Lord, help us to discern the difference between the things that are core to our faith and the things that are personal preference.  Help us to have compassion on one another, considering their needs above our own.  It's so easy to cling to our understanding of what is right and wrong and defend those  distinctions at the expense of others.  Help us submit to one another in love.  Amen. 

Carnal Christians and Divisions in the Church

1st Corinthians Chapter 3 

Scripture: 

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.  

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.  

Observation: 

 This chapter addresses the fact that there were three popular teachers in the early church in Corinth that had distinct followers that formed cliques around them.  Each group striving to be considered "better" than the other and it was causing division on the church.  Paul uses a carpentry metaphor and says that Christ laid the foundation (salvation) and while others work in building that kingdom might each be made of varying materials, their work would pass through the fire, and only those things that had eternal significance would endure.   

To be clear: This passage isn't talking about earning salvation - that foundation was already laid, paid and done; thanks to the sacrifice of our Lord.  This passage is talking about the maturity of the people and how their actions were putting up dividers.  Verse 3 says "you are still worldly" other versions call them "infants" and still other's call them "Carnal Christians".  However you label them these were people who had accepted the truth of Christ, and were saved, yet were still immature, unaware that they didn't have to resort to worldly ways of behaving. 

That foundation that Christ laid is our salvation, WE are the building that was created, WE are the temple of God, and our lives (the things we say and do, the works of our hands) become the building materials (holiness) used for raising that temple.  When we act foolishly, carnal, and self serving: instead of with Godly wisdom - it doesn't last and it only brings division.  Doesn't that remind you of when Jesus told the Pharisees "A house divided against itself cannot stand"?   

Application: 

I urge you today to look at the things you've incorporated into the building of your life.  Where do you spend your money, your time and your energy?  Are they for the things that will last?   

How can you tell the difference?  It's right there in the beginning of this same passage, look for envy, jealousy, strife and division.  If you slog through that every day- chances are good you need to look for ways to get off the milk and mature into the deeper meat of the Christian life. 

Prayer: 

Lord, we in the western church culture place so much emphasis on getting saved and being born again, that we are guilty maybe of not discipling each other into the deeper and more mature life.  Help us to practice the one another's in shepherding, encouraging, admonishing, teaching and loving one another into growth.  Amen!