December 6 - 2 Corinthians 10-13: Paul Defends His Authority and Ministry

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 10-13

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Paul boasts of his impressive résumé and calls it the ranting of a raving lunatic.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

We use God's Tools to tear down barriers and building new, healthy habits. I don't change. I am equally as harsh—as you will soon learn.
Let me present my credentials. I am both a sterling example of a Jew and a Christian with battle scars. I was even given a handicap to keep me humble.
Look at me blather on like an idiot!
I fear our frustrations will prevent us from working the next time I visit. Test yourself—make sure Christ is in you.
Continue setting things right. Everyone here greets you.
May Christ's Grace be with you.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Paul must defend his ministry.

Of all the books we have read so far, 2 Corinthians is by far the most personal. Today's reading has little to do with systematic theology—the process of organizing all religious truths—and more to do with Paul trying to mend his relationship with a congregation that is being torn apart by people denying his authority. It is very personal, emotional, and makes Paul look vulnerable. Scripture is not a disorganized jumble of propositional truths. These are letters from writers to people they love dearly. It is a shame that 2 Corinthians is ignored as much as it is.

God gives His Chosen People tools to tear down barriers between Him and everyone else.

God does not want us to become great marketers, convincing people to do things they do not want to do. God does not want us to manipulate others with promises of treats or threats of punishment. God wants us to shine His Light into the Darkness, tearing down walls and mirroring His Love to people blocked by sin. We help people build lives of integrity. We set things right. That is our goal.

Boasting of your background means nothing to people setting things right.

I love how Paul preemptively apologizes for sounding like a crazy person when he boasts about his impressive résumé. We will understand why including these self-deflating barbs was important to Paul as we read more of his letters. In reality, your background and certificates mean little to God. All God cares is if you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Do not judge a teacher based on the person's curriculum vitae. Investigate their teachings.
For me, Paul reminds me of myself. Although my résumé is nowhere near as impressive as his, I am blessed more than many in this world. Yet when it comes to setting things right, I cannot allow my background to lull me into slumber. I must set things right to be acceptable to God.

We should be willing to have our congregations test to make sure we are still in Christ.

This is a theme Paul will continue in the books ahead. Christianity is not a personal religion only between you and God. We are to submit to each other—and one way to do that is by allowing our brothers and sisters to test to make sure we have tangible evidence that Jesus is in us. By testing each other we are able to keep each other from going off the deep end.

Do you use God's Tools to tear down barriers or make a more comfortable place for you to lounge around in?

December 5 - 2 Corinthians 5-9: Ambassadors for Christ Even in Times of Persecution

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 5-9

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

We are Ambassadors for Christ helping prepare others for the Resurrection.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Someday we will have God-made bodies. We work to prepare people for that day.
One Man died to set everyone's relationships with God right. We represent Christ by calling people into a reconciled relationship.
People watch what we do in bad times. Don't partner with people who reject God. Be God's Temple—holy inside and out.
I am glad my letter helped with your purity. You impressed Titus.
The Macedonian Christians want to help poor Christians. We hope you will follow suit. Be ready with the contribution. Remember, blessings breed blessings. It helps physically and spiritually with gratitude all around.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

We are Ambassadors for Jesus—the one who set all of our relationships with God right.

God sent Jesus to be the sacrifice which would set all of our relationships right. As God's Chosen People, we are His ambassadors to the world, calling them to set their relationships with God right. Being God's Ambassadors is not a new job for God's Chosen People. God wanted Israel to be lighthouses to the nations from the time He called Abraham. The reason is simple—one day, everyone will face God and answer for their actions. We help prepare people for that day. If we want bodies that will never decay we must prepare to be with the one who makes them.

The way we reach our goal as God's Chosen People is to live holy lives even in bad times.

Paul wants the Christians in Corinth to realize people in the world look at God's Chosen People when bad things happen to them. To be honest, this is the time when they learn how we really act. Anyone can be for God when it's beneficial. Only true Disciples of Jesus stay with Him when times get rough. Holy living requires staying with God even when it doesn't pay.

Don't partner with people in the darkness—even when it may help prevent persecution.

It is interesting that this comes directly after Paul tells them that the world wants to see what God's Chosen People will do in times of persecution. It is very tempting to work out a deal for peace. Paul says we do not need a peace deal because God lives among us. Don't partner with people who are not committed to God setting all things right. They will corrupt you.

Paul's previous letter (assuming its 1 Corinthians) worked—the church changed.

The church in Corinth had a lot of problems. As I wrote earlier, they had more issues than Time magazine. It was very difficult reading through the book because I could see myself and the church—local and worldwide—within each of his critiques. Today's reading gives us wonderful news—the letter worked! The Corinthians took Paul's challenges and made changes to their lives. Change can happen if we trust God and His Chosen Messengers!

When God's Chosen People help poor Christians they help far more than physical issues.

It is today's reading which explains why I wished more people spoke of helping the poor individually instead of through donations to institutions or by taxes and government programs. When God's Chosen People give to others, they know God is their Provider and give thanks to Him. The person giving learns how to be God-like. Gratitude comes from both directions—the givers because God blessed them with enough to live and give and the receivers because God supplied what they needed. This is why Paul ends with extravagant praise: "No language can praise it enough!" (9:15, The Message).

Are you an Ambassador for Christ?

December 4 - 2 Corinthians 1-4: Choosing Between Suffering and Watering-Down the Message

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 1-4

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The worst thing your enemies can do to you is make you ready for the Resurrection.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Paul to the congregation in Corinth and Achaia.
Our suffering strengthens you which, in turn, strengthens us. Our darkest hour is God's shining moment.
It is better I stay away. Forgive the one who caused the pain. No more guilt.
We have a great responsibility but we preach the entire Message. Your existence validates our work.
The Jews couldn't see God's Light in the Law but Jesus removed the veil. Now we join His Light-Life.
Don't let hard times get you down. Their eyes are blind. We are persecuted but God is by our side. We'll never give up!

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God comforts His Chosen People as they suffer—sometimes by bringing people to suffer alongside.

God will never abandon you. You are never alone. Sometimes, though, it is better to have someone with you as you suffer through the worst. If we endure, God will bring all suffering to an end and you will rejoice with those who suffer with you.

Paul is rebuilding a strained relationship.

Yesterday, from the end of 1 Corinthians, I mentioned how these letters are not statements of doctrines but personal letters from one person to a group he deeply loves. Today's reading carries that mindset into the main body of the letter. Paul wants them to know he wanted to visit them but could not because of the awkward feelings it would bring up. He would rather have peace and write a letter than show up and cause problems. Then Paul asks for forgiveness for the one who caused him pain. I love the personal nature of these letters.

We cannot set things right by "pouring on the guilt" (2:7, The Message).

People will not set things right when they are threatened with guilt. Instead, we should pour on the love, helping them set things right. Remember, Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world. He came to save us.

Paul cares for the health of the congregation not punishing sinners.

No one is certain if Paul is referencing the same person from the previous letter we read. If he is, then the method of removing him from his community worked. This removal was meant to help the man understand how he needed to change and to prevent him from influencing the congregation to do bad things. Removing fellowship is meant to help the person understand the gravity of their actions and the congregation not fall into the same temptations. It seems the Corinthian congregation forgot the second part and when he repented they did not want to let him back in.

Even through adversity, Paul would not take credit for his work.

The Jews were unwilling to listen about Jesus. They wanted to keep the Law of Moses as their ceremonial law, even if they did not want to follow it. Paul received a lot of persecution because of his teachings. Instead of shrinking away or taking the credit for the large numbers of converts, Paul stood firm and gave God the credit for all he did. God's Chosen People neither back down from His Message nor take credit for God setting all things right.

Do you water down the Message so more people will listen?