2 Corinthians 13 - 11.21.24
S - 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
O – Paul asks the Corinthian Christians to consider a sobering question: “Am I really a Christian?” We are rightly concerned that every believer has the assurance of salvation and knows how to endure the attacks that come in this area from Satan. At the same time we also understand that there are some who assume or presume they are Christians when they are not.
To examine yourself, in fact, is to submit to the examination and scrutiny of Jesus Christ the Lord — and this never to fix attention on sin but on Christ — and to ask Him to reveal that in you which grieves His Spirit; to ask Him to give you grace that it might be put away and cleansed in His precious blood.” Self examination “takes the chill away from your soul, it takes the hardness away from your heart, it takes the shadows away from your life, it sets the prisoner free.
Unless indeed you are disqualified: Paul knew there were some among the Corinthian Christians who were disqualified for eternal life and salvation. Their thinking was worldly because they were of the world, not of the Lord. This is a hard truth to confront, but it is better to know now than when it is too late. The word for disqualified is simply the negative of the word for test in this same passage. If we don’t examine ourselves and test ourselves now, we may find that we ultimately don’t pass the test and are disqualified. (Blueletterbible.org)
A – We are often eagerly ready to examine and test others, aren’t we? It’s easy to see the wrongs (the sins) that others are doing, but how often to we sit back, take a pause, and ask God, “What in my life is not pleasing to you? What do I need to do to get right with you?”
Mt. 7:5 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
We should be examining and testing ourselves first! The Corinthians were criticizing Paul and not taking the time to examine themselves. I think this is still a big problem in the churches today. Everyone is so quick to let someone else know what they should change in their lives, without changing what is wrong in their own lives. This creates division, anger, resentments and is not what God intends. May we take the time each day to just ask God to point us to the area(s) in our lives that we are grieving His heart and to repent, ask for forgiveness, and watch God move amongst us in a powerful way.
P – Lord forgive me for those times that I am quick to see the faults of others, the sins in others, and not in myself. Help me to view myself and others through Godly eyes and not worldly eyes. May I encourage my brothers and sisters and lift them up the way Paul was trying to do, and not tear any of them down with my words or my actions. May we all take the time to ask you each day what things you want removed from our lives and what you want added. Help us to confess our sins, repent, and turn away from those things for good! Lord, I don’t want to be disqualified at the end of my life. I want to live for you and make you proud. Thank you that your grace and mercies are made new each day and that it is NEVER too late to change our lives and be exactly who You call us to be! Amen.
- Crystal Flory
Galatians 1 - 11.21.24
S - Galatians 1:22-24 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.
O – Galatians 1 is the introduction to Paul's letter to the Galatian church, which deals with a theological crisis caused by Judaizers who distorted the Gospel. Paul defends the divine authority of his apostleship and the Gospel's unity, denouncing any perversion of the Christ-centered message. He describes how and when Christ trained and sent him out to preach the gospel of Jesus. The chapter details Paul's biography, as he makes the case that he has been made an apostle by Christ and therefore his message is trustworthy. Paul sought to bring people to the obedience of God, not of men, and would not alter the doctrine of Christ to gain their favor or avoid their fury.
A – I was personally unknown and when they heard about the filthy sinner I was, and of the life of faith and love that I currently live out, for the Glory of God, and they BELIEVED. I am paraphrasing the above scripture of course, but this is how I want to be known! It’s great if you have grown up in church, maybe haven’t had much to feel ashamed about in your past, or just always have lived for God. Obviously, that speaks volumes to many. But I love that I can relate to Paul in such a big way. I hate who I used to be, but I love the contrast I can see in my own life. I love that God took that ugliness and made beauty from ashes : ) Anyone who knew me BC knows that there were things I was doing in my life that weren’t great, and I am not proud of; some so horrible I would never share them, and those who know me now would be shocked to know. I am SOOOOO grateful that God has made me a new person! The old me is gone and I have replaced the vile things I used to do, with things that give honor to, and glorify God. I am definitely still a work in progress, but I am so thankful to be able to have the love of God inside of me to share with others now. I used to hate who I was, but now, I actually like me : ) I have run into people over the years who knew me when, and I can see a look in their eye as we catch up, like they aren’t sure what to make of the way I speak to them now, or the things I am doing in my life now. I pray that they would some day praise God because of me! And I often wonder, how can they NOT?! The ones that know what they know and see me now…..how could they not believe that YOU changed me. Nothing else could have made such a drastic change in me.
P – Lord Jesus, I pray that the answer to the question, how could they not, is not because I am doing something wrong, or living in a way that is not pleasing to you. I pray that my life is an example to others and the way you desire for me to live out my walk with you. I can never thank you enough for pulling me out of that pit. Like Paul, you met me doing my own thing, and in an instant, captured my heart forever. You have converted my life into something useful for the Kingdom of God. I pray I will NEVER take that for granted and that you will always be the FIRST thing in my life. I pray that others will see you working in and through me, and that they will BELIEVE!
- Crystal Flory
2 Corinthians 12 - 11.20.24
Scripture
2 Corinthians 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Observation
Prior to verse 9, Paul says that he was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming conceited. Or in other words, for attributing success to his own efforts instead of giving the glory to God. He asked God to take the thorn away, but the response was no – for my power is shown in your weakness. Through our weakness, God shows himself faithful to us as we depend on him. Through our weakness, God reveals his power. Through acknowledging our weakness, we acknowledge that God is in control. Through acknowledging our weakness, we are a witness to others of what God has done.
Application
We all have certain gifts and talents. And if we allow him to, God uses them for his glory. But when things come naturally to us, or things are going our way, we tend to think of that as the norm instead of giving God the glory. We might fall into the trap of thinking we’ve earned whatever success we encounter.
But when we have weaknesses or encounter trials, we are forced to depend on God. We are forced to acknowledge our dependence on him and his power and faithfulness. When he shows up, we, and others, know that it was God’s power at work – not ours. His power is on display for all to see. What better way to spread the word of God’s faithfulness and powerfulness than through our stories?
Psalm 96:3 “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!”
So Paul says, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Prayer
Father, your grace is sufficient for me. Please use me for your glory in all my weakness. Let your power rest on me.
- Debbie Dunn