October 22 – Secured Forever

“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 1:21-22 (NASB)

The Trinity — There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. All participate in securing the believer.  We find the promise in today’s passage that first of all, it’s God the Father who established us together in Christ the Son. It is God’s gift as the Holy Spirit who has anointed us and who has marked us with His seal. The one who has established us, anointed us, sealed us, given us the guarantee of the Spirit is none other than God.  So, the reason we are secure is because we’ve been secured in God the Son. Consider 2 Timothy 2:19.  "the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal” ⸺now here's the seal that seals our ultimate redemption ⸺ “The Lord knows those who are His”, and “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” This seal is symbol of ownership.  The divine seal is proven by two characteristics. The first is that The Lord knows those who he has called and belong to Him. The second is our new way of life

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 What does 'eternal' mean when applied to God's existence?

[Edited 10/22/2022 11:45 AM]

October 11 – Where? It’s Up!

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven..” – 2 Corinthians 12:2 (NASB)

Paul was so overwhelmed by a heavenly vision that he did not know the precise details. However, whether he was caught up bodily into heaven, or his spirit was temporarily separated from his body, was not important. This may be a passage that is rather different than most we select. But it gives us a clue about heaven and help answer the question “Where is heaven?”  It is up. Heaven is up. Paul says he was caught up into the third heaven. Jesus reminded us that when He came to earth, He descended, and when He left to go back to heaven, He ascended, (Ephesians 4:10). It’s up. He came down and went back up. The angels told the disciples that this same Jesus who is taken up from you shall so come in like manner as you’ve seen Him go (Acts 1:11). When the Lord returns He will come down from heaven and we will be caught up into heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). John was called to “Come up here and I’ll show you heaven.” (Revelation 4:1) When two witnesses during the Tribulation are killed they are resurrected and called to “Come up here” (Revelation 11:12). Heaven is up!

 

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October 10 – Being Absent Is Being Present

 “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV)

Our promises found in our passage include one much the same as the words Paul wrote to the Philippian church toward the end of his ministry. This letter to the church at Corinth however, was not written while he was in prison. In these verses Paul was not saying he had absolutely no contact; there is prayer, the indwelling Spirit, and fellowship through the Word. Paul was expressing a strong yearning to be at home with his Lord. We find the Psalmist expressing the same sentiments in Psalm 23. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) There’s no place that we go when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death where God absent from us He is with us. Heaven is where God is. “Surely … I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)  So where is the house of the Lord? It’s where God dwells and that is in heaven. The hope of the psalmist was to be absent from the body to be present with the Lord.

 

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September 8 – A New Everything

 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

In Christ Jesus each believer becomes a new creation and a child of God. We are more than friends of God for through adopted we are children of God. In Christ we become fellow heirs and fellow member of the body of believers. (Ephesians 3:6)  The two words ‘in Christ’, cover a brief but very profound statement of the immeasurable significance ⸺ that of the believer’s redemption. For this, the believer is accepted in Him (Christ) with whom God alone is well pleased. As believers our future assurance is in Him who is the resurrection to eternal life and the sole guarantor of our inheritance in heaven. As believers in Christ, we are granted participation in the divine nature of Christ, the everlasting Word (2 Peter 1:4). We are not divine but Christ is and in us shares His divine nature with us. We have been made new through new birth spiritually. We can with the help of Christ in us be done with the old ways of doing things and embrace our new spiritual perception. The powerful truth is that in Christ we now live for what is eternal and not the temporal things. 

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2 Corinthians, new, passed, come,

September 7 – All but None

“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 5:21 (ESV)

Here the Apostle Paul summarized the heart of the gospel, that which he stated was ‘the message of reconciliation” (v.19). This explains how sinners such as us can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Two actions by God the Father upon Jesus, the Son of God resulted in the fulfillment of the promised destruction of sin in Genesis 3:15. Jesus the sinless Son of God, knew no sin was made to carry our sin on our behalf. God the Father, using the principle which is called  imputation, treated Christ as if He were a sinner though He was not, and had Him die as a substitute to pay the penalty for the sins of those who believe in Him. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” v.19 “God by His own will and design used His Son, the only acceptable and perfect sacrifice, as the means to reconcile sinners to Himself.” “On the cross, Jesus did not become a sinner (as some suggest), but remained as holy as ever. He was treated as if He were guilty of all the sins ever committed by all who would ever believe, though He committed none.”* 

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*John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Co 5:21.

September 1 – Peace In A Peaceless World

“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.” – 2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)

We are living in a contentious world and it is no surprise or anything new. Yes, we like to think there have been time that the people of this world were more at peace but not truly. An honest realistic look at history from the time of Genesis 3 our world has been a place with more danger and more conflict than peace. The peace we experience worldwide is temporary, existing in small parts of the world. We may have peace between ourselves for a season but sin destroys that too. As believers in our Lord Jesus Christ we can have peace with God and can have sustainable peace and harmony between each other. It is our calling and it honors God bringing Glory to Him. The apostle Paul in this verse exhorts faith believers in Corinth to aim for restoration of peace. We start by having an attitude of thankfulness and rejoicing. We will accomplish our aim as we comfort one another and agree with one another, we will live in peace – that means giving up the selfishness and striving for our own way within Christ’s fellowship of believers. This promise is for such harmony with God’s love.

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July 25 – Belonging to Him, We are His

 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NASB)

We can be sure that our God is involved in what happens in our lives as Christians. It is Christ’s saving work of grace that gives believers stability and places them on a firm foundation in Him. Romans 16:25 also speaks to us about who has established us. “Now to Him who is able to establish you…” We all pay special attention to ‘our things’ large or small and they become important treasures. Our verse reminds us that God thinks of us as belonging to Him. For that reason He is actively involved in our lives to maintain that relationship, helping us to stand firm in Christ. He has given us His Holy Spirit to live within us and also to be our guarantee that we belong to Him. Paul in defending his authenticity gives a clear reference to the work of the three members of the Trinity. The authenticity of Paul’s spiritual life and that of every genuine believer is verified by these four divine works (“establishes us,” “anointed us,” “sealed us,” “gave us the Spirit”) accomplished in their lives. Let's be thankful for the pledge of ownership Jesus has given to us in the Holy Spirit.

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July 19 – Sealed With A Pledge

“ He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” – 2 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV)

Let’s think for a moment on what we learned about yesterday. Faith believers in Jesus Christ have the promise of a new forever perfect body. Compared, for visual purposes, as getting out of our raggedy rotting clothing and putting on our permanent perfect and glorious garment. This passage states emphatically that the believer’s heavenly existence will come to pass according to God’s sovereign promise and purpose. We have complete and perfect confidence of this promise when we recognize and believe that God has given to us the Holy Spirit as a permanent indwelling presence. That’s His guarantee to us. Other words for the same meaning call it a pledge. Like the times when we promise with a pledge support to another person or organization, we’re obligated to fulfill that pledge. Also stated in Ephesians 1:13-14 “having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge.” Paul also stated this earlier in 2 Corinthians 1:22. There is no plausible reason that God cannot be trusted to fulfill this promise to us. It’s an absolute guarantee, a pledge as good as a seal with His name embed in it. 

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July 18 – Discarding Rags for a Suit of Glory

 “For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” -  2 Corinthians 5:4 (ESV)

Reflecting back to the promise verse three days ago, we considered what Paul the Apostle meant by “to die is gain.” In our world, we nearly always consider death to be a loss. Loss of life, family, loved ones…whatever is precious to us is lost to us when we die. Paul restates that he could hardly wait to be in his glorified body. Paul wrote about fixing his eyes “not on what is seen but on what is unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Paul wanted the fullness, through the fulfillment of all that God had planned for him in eternal life, when we lose all that is earthly and human as we exit this world. He states this by making the allusion that the temporary decaying part of us being swallowed up by what is eternal life. We will have immortal imperishable spiritual bodies in heaven.  Perhaps a true loss for us happens when we prefer what we have now over what we will have been promised. Now, our life is poorly dressed with the rags of humiliation and hardship. Let’s focus on what we will be dressed in and not treasure our poor present state of being.

 

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July 17 –Affliction Which Is Momentary

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,” – 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NASB)

If you ever feel burdened down because of your witness and faith in God, this is a passage for you. Within a broader context, we learn from the Apostle Paul that he experienced many great and difficult circumstance as he carried about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s add two more verses (8-9) from earlier in this chapter where Paul details the tough times he had. “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”  And yet he describes these as ‘momentary’ and ‘light afflictions.’ How can he say this? The Greek words for “light” mean “a weightless trifle” and “affliction” refers to intense pressure. From a human perspective, Paul’s own testimony lists a seemingly unbearable litany of sufferings and persecutions he endured throughout his life. The Greek word for “weight” refers to a heavy mass. For Paul, declares the future glory he would experience with the Lord far outweighed any suffering he experienced in this world. This is a promise from God. And a promise we can depend on to help us walk according to our calling in Christ. 

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July 14 – Groaning for Better Accommodations

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1-3 (NASB)

We need first to reflect back to the last verses in chapter 4. Paul writes of our physical body which is constantly in the process of decay and will eventually die. While he was referring to the normal aging process, he adds the emphasis that his lifestyle sped up that process. Sometimes it does. Perhaps we need to check and see if the activity that is speeding up the decay of our bodies is something of eternal value in the Kingdom? Or, is our effort amounting to nothing that brings glory to God? Paul’s metaphor for the physical body is understandable because many people were nomadic tent dwellers, and Paul the tentmaker knew much about tents. Paul had a passionate longing to be free and good reason to be eager of when he would be separated from his earthly body; its accompanying sins, frustrations, and relentless weaknesses. But what will be next for us? Unlike the pagans who thought the spirit is released into a nebulous infinity of nothingness, Paul makes clear that the as believers our hope for the next life is not a disembodied spiritual life, but a real, eternal, resurrection body in heaven with God.

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June 8 – A Different "Stand Your Ground"

“Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so;
2 Corinthians 11:16 (NASB) 

From time to time we may be recipients of hostile attacks on our faith in Jesus Christ.  While we wish to not reply in kind manner, we can be ready to defend the truth of our salvation by grace through faith. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth to correct several errors in their behavior and thinking. One is laid out in the 11th chapter of 2 Corinthians. Paul’s apostolic authority was challenged and he is pressed into this defense. The apostle knew that his claim to be an apostle was incontrovertible. Today many people who have no right to the title yet still claim to belong to the God’s family. If we are confident to declare, “I am a follower of Christ Jesus,” let’s only say it after we’ve searched our hearts as in the presence of God. Charles Spurgeon would advise; “May it be that we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can say from the heart, “I trust Him wholly, trust Him only, trust Him simply, trust Him now, and trust Him ever,” then the position that the saints of God hold also belongs to us.”

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May 6 –A Deposit Which Guarantees

“He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” -  2 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV)

One fact that we can know and rejoice in is that God has plans for us who have believed and accepted the free gift of salvation. We are reminded of this in our verse. God has and is continuing to prepare us for living with Him in heaven. It is God who had made this happen, for there is nothing we can do to receive the Holy Spirit who is our guaranteed promise. We realize that His plans for us are really beyond our ability to comprehend. God knows, and that is the reason He has given us His Spirit. In part the Holy Spirit's ministry is to show us a bit of what heaven will be like. Even that we take by faith for our eyes have not seen, our ears have not heard, all that God has prepared for us who love Him. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives guarantees eternal blessedness for us in heaven. Paul emphatically states that the believer’s heavenly existence will come according to God’s sovereign purpose.  Let’s be sure our hearts are open to what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us about heaven.

 

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March 28 – Walking Among Us

“For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”  2 Corinthians 6:16 (NASB)

Many of the promises which were given by God to His people Israel and recorded in the Old Testament are also used by the writers of the New Testament. Today’s promise was given first to the Hebrew people who were decedents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Even though we may not particularly belong to this race of people, the promises were also given to all who believe and have asked Jesus to be their Savior. Our verse today is an occasion in the New Testament where that promise is claimed by Paul the apostle in his letter to the Corinthian Christians. We are part of God's family and he has adopted us as his children. Paul knew that the verse, which was given by God first in Leviticus and then again through the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, was for all who believed. Yes friends, as a believer in Jesus this promise is given to you. We can rejoice knowing that God lives with us and walks among us and that He alone is our God. Today, let's embrace the truth that we are His people and joyfully live in this promise no matter what circumstances we face. 

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March 17 – Seal of Ownership

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (NASB)

If you have ever been in a church service or revival meeting there is a good chance you’ve heard someone cry out “Amen!” They are agreeing with the speaker or preacher who hit on a point that means much to them. In some churches, the minister needs the congregation to be giving him Amens. Although the Apostle Paul is writing in the Greek language he transliterates a common Hebrew word of affirmation.  The word is used by Jesus when He would say, ‘verily’, or ‘truly, truly.’ Amen, amen, our God is very much involved in our lives. Today’s verses remind us of this truth. Paul’s, ministry was blessed by God in many places for many years. But Paul tells us the he didn’t do any of this by himself. He recognized that God was involved and directing his life and work. This is true for us too. God is involved in our lives. We don’t live by ourselves. When our faith stands firm in Christ it is because God establishes us to stand firm. And more than that, he seals us with His Spirit as a promise to keep us established in our faith. 

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February 3 - Believe to See

“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.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)

When hear of a horrible act we might hear some say “I can’t believe what this world is coming to.” We like to remember; we like to think our world was a better world, more fair and more just “back then.” Not so for there have always been those who serve the enemy of Jesus Christ. This verse is the Apostle Paul’s response and defense against the false claims and lies that were stirring up the believers in Corinth. Some self-named super-apostles were nothing but troublemakers working against Paul’s message of the Gospel of Jesus.  By arguing that all people by nature look for the truth and strive to do good, their assertion was if the message is rejected it is because it is not true or not delivered properly by the right messengers. Paul sets the facts out that when the gospel is not believed by those to whom it is preached, the ‘god of this world’ (John 12:31)  had veiled the light of the gospel and it could not be understood. Their unbelief was aided by Satan, the god of this Age (Ephesians. 2:2). Although defeated by Christ (Hebrews. 2:14), the enemy Satan continues his hold over the present world.

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November 27 – Our Light Within

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV) 

Our Father in heaven has done so very much for us. He is the God of light in many ways and our verse reminds us that He brings that light into our hearts. The Apostle Paul makes a direct reference to God as Creator, who commanded physical light into existence (Genesis 1:3). The God who created physical light in the universe creates supernatural light in the soul and bring believers from the kingdom of darkness to His kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). The light is expressed as “the knowledge of the glory of God.” That means to know that Christ is God incarnate. To be saved, one must understand that the glory of God shone in Jesus Christ and He drives darkness from our lives. Isn't it wonderful to know that we don't have to live in that darkness or with it in our hearts? God has made his light shine in our hearts and it is a glorious light for us who have believed. Be encouraged today as you recognize that God is a God of glory and He wants us to know of His glory. It is a promise that will bring light to our hearts and to our lives.

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August 11 – Whom To Please

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”– 2 Corinthians 5:8-9 (ESV)

Because heaven is a better place than earth, the apostle Paul would rather have been in heaven, with God. This sentiment simply states Paul’s feelings and longings. There is nothing wrong and much is right to desire to enter heaven in the presence of the Lord God. What might you choose to have instead of being in the presence of Jesus Christ right now? Is there anything that would hold you fast to this world? We are not suggesting that anyone should attempt to change God’s plan or timing. Because He has us here for a purpose to please Him in all we think, say and do. To tell others of His grace and the Gospel. God’s timing for us is perfect. We will be here right up until the moment God has for us to be in His presence. And when we are, all that we hold dear now on this earth will be gone from our desires. Someday, we will be transformed to be like the body Jesus has after His resurrection (Philippians 3:20-21). But now, we have our goal to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and help others find Him as their Lord and Savior.

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August 10 – Home But Away From Home

“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (ESV)

True believers in Jesus Christ are confident with respect to the future even though we do not know what the future is going to be in this world. It is the very presence of the Spirit in the lives of believers that provides this confidence with the promises of God. Eventually our time and life on this earth will come to an end, when it does, we will be with the Lord. Now we are at home in a world that is not our own and even our bodies will someday be done away. Also it means we not in the Lord’s presence physically. ‘Being at home’ and ‘being away from home’ refer respectively to being in one’s own country and being a stranger living abroad. In other words, the image of the external being that we observe, is passive and passing, while the internal provision of faith is active and abiding. We focus our attention not on visible things that are temporal but on those that are invisible and timeless. We live not by what we can see in this world but by the faith God has given us to believe.

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August 09 – Wasted But Renewed

“ For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:15-16 (ESV)

It is true that the physical bodies are by nature in a steady decay. There is no miracle or magical method that will arrest what the Apostle Paul calls ‘wasting away.’ That fact does not stop our unending search for renewal; attempting to find ways to slow the physical decline and maintain the vitality of youth. Our verses come in this chapter just after Paul has detailed what he has experienced in his body on account of his effort to bring the gospel and teaching of Jesus Christ to them. All that has happened has been for the sake of those who were served in Paul’s ministry. In other words, when the gospel enters the hearts and lives of an ever-increasing number of people, God’s grace abounds. These are fellow believers who begin to lead unbelievers to Christ. And as a result, all believers can now live to please God and express their thanks to him. The effect of physical decay on Paul didn't mean that he lost heart and we shouldn’t either. We are promised that the eternal part of us which is within our soul and spirit is renewed every day.

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