Bible Chapter: II Corinthians 8
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The editors of my study Bible have put the title “Generosity Encouraged” at the beginning of this chapter. The principle of generosity is taught throughout the Bible. No, not the principle of give so you can collect lots of stuff, but giving out of a Christlike heart. Believers are encouraged to excel in the grace of giving. Giving must be done with the right attitude. Any blessing God gives us financially as a result of generosity is for the purpose of more giving, not hoarding.
Giving with a Christlike spirit establishes ownership. God owns it all and we are simply managers to use it properly. This starts with regularly tithing to our local church, as well as offerings for missions and other needs. It goes out from there.
Jesus set the example. Verse 9 tells us that He became poor so that we might become rich through His poverty. The footnote in the Fire Bible says “All the gifts of grace and salvation, the kingdom of heaven, and even disgrace for the sake of Christ are the everlasting riches we have received in exchange for the rags of sin.” Jesus left the glories of heaven to live a lowly life here on earth (became poor) that we can receive the blessings of His presence in our lives on earth and inherit a home in heaven (become rich).
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
The average person has times of need and times of plenty. Verses 13-15 teach the principle of ministering back and forth to meet needs. Sometimes a person has a need and they must be willing to receive. Other times they will be in the position to give to help others in need. God showed this principle to Israel in Exodus 16 in the provision of the manna, the food they ate in the wilderness. They were each to gather food daily. They all had what they needed - one did not have too much and another didn’t have too little. I must apply these truths to life, understanding the blessings of generosity.
I believe a key to the application of generosity is doing it with the right attitude. It is not “Well, I guess I HAVE to be generous”. I get to be generous. One of my favorite book titles is a book written by E. M. Clark, “How To Be Happy Giving Your Money Away”. He learned throughout his life and ministry that God’s plan is for believers to be generous and then watch God take care of the needs. My father taught that principle and lived it all his life. Even recently I was talking with someone about something my parents had, wondering where it was. We thought, well, they probably gave it away.
3. How can I help someone?
God honors generosity as we listen to His guidance. I can help people by listening to God and responding to need as He directs.
Bible Chapter: II Corinthians 7
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Chapter 7 starts out wrapping up chapter 6 and the statements about purity and avoiding the entanglements with worldliness. We are challenged to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates (this means sin). Holiness must be perfected out of reverence to God. This is another reminder to get as close to Jesus as we can and get far from the active participation in sin.
Paul then went on to talk about his joy in the believers in Corinth. Corinth was a notoriously immoral city and some of their pride in moral corruption had infected the church there. Paul’s first letter was sometimes scathing in calling out their sin. Now he is rejoicing in the impact he had and the changes they were making. He felt bad to hurt them, but it was necessary. Their sorrow brought them to repentance. Verse 10 tells us that Godly sorrow leads to repentance and that leads to salvation. Nothing is more important than our personal salvation and our assurance of a real relationship with Jesus.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
It took the church in Corinth a while to learn to be the one who does the influencing and not be the one who is influenced. They were influenced by the sin that was rampant around them. The city has been described as intellectually arrogant. I see the same thing in our culture today. One of the highest ranking government officials recently said that the United States protects religious freedom because: “In America, you have a right to be stupid.” That kind of arrogance and haughtiness exemplifies the animosity to God we see today and is setting us up for destruction. Like the folks in Corinth, I and all believers must be careful to not get caught up in this mentality that says we don’t need God.
I need to remember Paul’s rejoicing in the desire of the church in Corinth to turn from their wickedness and serve the Lord. I think of this over and over, the thought of how close can I get to Jesus.
3. How can I help someone?
The Bible talks about people being blinded spiritually. That describes our world today. I am often amazed at how blind people really are. They can’t see the sin and the impact it makes. They find all kinds of excuses for sin, blaming it on everything except the real cause. Sin is no longer sin. I must help people see the difference.
Bible Chapter: II Corinthians 6
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The first thing that stands out to me in reading this chapter is the cost of serving the Lord. This is especially true for those in positions of leadership as Paul was. As a servant of God he commended himself to them through a long list of trials, character traits and perseverance. Through all of this they kept up the work God called them to do. The amount of suffering they endured is overwhelming. I’m sure there were many times when they wanted to quit, but they refused to do so.
This chapter also has a powerful teaching about the truth of separation between believers and the rest of the world. We are not called to simply blend in and be like everyone else. We are called to be separate. Two very important questions to answer: What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What harmony is there between Jesus and the devil? The obvious answer is “none”. Since there is no comparison, all believers must live a life separated from active participation in sin. Yes, we are living in this world and must make an impact on it. But, we must not participate in the sinful activities and lifestyles of the world. If we are going to have a solid relationship with Jesus we must live separate from the activities of the world.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Verses 3-10 provide a challenging list of events and actions that mark Paul’s life. How do they speak of my life? I don’t think any believer longs for the struggles he endured, but they speak of the commitment required for those who follow Jesus. The character issues included in this list also speak a challenge to live and apply them. It is not only theory we are to learn from the Bible, it is the practical living that we must learn and practice.
I must also learn the application of what it means to be separate from the world. I must implement the coming out from the world and being separate. In my ramblings through life I have found many who, in the name of living the Christian life, have entered into many questionable activities. They found much justification for it all. My understanding of this passage is that we must strive to get as close to Jesus as we can, not see how far away we can live without rejecting Jesus as Savior.
3. How can I help someone?
There is an old song that says “People need the Lord”. That is true. People need to see what sin is and the impact it makes in their lives. Both believers and those who have not make a personal commitment to Jesus need to know that Jesus came to separate us from active participation in sin. The life and lifestyle of sin is very hard and destructive. I must help people see the blessings of living close to Jesus.
Bible Chapter: II Corinthians 5
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The Bible talks about heaven and the promise of an eternal home with the Lord. When I was a child I remember hearing some kids talking about the fact that they didn’t want the Lord to come too soon as they wanted to grow up and . . . (fill in the blank of things they wanted to experience in life). Paul expressed a desire to be with the Lord, which would be far better than living here on earth, whatever exciting things we may experience. With that in mind he made it his goal to please the Lord. He knew that some day he would stand before God as his judge. He didn’t want anything to interfere with receiving the eternal reward.
An awesome promise about what God wants to do is to reconcile people to Him. When we come to Jesus as our Savior He makes us a brand new creation. The old is gone and we are made new. We become more like Jesus. Jesus took on our sin so that we could take on His righteousness. We are restored in fellowship with the Lord, the fellowship that was lost because of sin. As we repent the lost relationship is restored.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Keeping a focus of eternity, keeping my mind and efforts on pleasing God will make my life what God planned it to be. Verse 7 says that we live by faith and not by sight. God has given me sufficient reason to live by faith in Him and expect to receive the reward for serving Him. This faith must remain consistent, living with the expectation that I will be blessed to spend eternity in God’s presence. Since Jesus has made me a new creation, I must live the life. In eternity there will never be any regrets for living as a new creation in Jesus.
3. How can I help someone?
God has given His followers the ministry of reconciliation. We are to help people see what is available to them. Unfortunately we can never force a person to believe. But, we can pray and tell. I have used verse 17 countless times in talking with people. It is a promise that makes all the difference in the world, Jesus will make you a new creation. People need to know this, since they often feel frustrated at their lack of ability to change. We can’t change our nature but God will make us new.
Bible Chapter: II Corinthians 4
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
We will not lose heart. When we go through very difficult times we will persevere because we can see beyond this point of life to what comes next. When we can keep the eternal perspective in mind we will see that what we experience in life is not enough to cause us to give up on serving the Lord because eternity is going to be amazing.
The enemy is blinding the hearts and minds of people so they can’t see eternity. They only see the current mess we are in. He is blinding them to the truth and the awesome promises Jesus gave regarding eternity. The truth is that we, simply fragile clay pots, have an amazing power because of God in us. We are pressed from all sides in a spiritual battle, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not in despair. The afflictions we face are light compared to the glory of eternity. In Jesus we have hope.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Because of God’s promises we are more than conquerors through the power of Jesus. It is easy to get tired. It is easy to say life is getting more challenging and wonder about being able to make it through. But, God not only called us to “make it” through life, but He gives us the power to be victorious. This victory must be measured by God’s standards which are so much higher than what the world has to offer. In this chapter Paul talks about trials and difficulties. He doesn’t deny them but shows how they strengthen us. I must fix my eyes on what is not seen, that is on Jesus. What I can see is temporary, Jesus is eternal.
A great ending to the chapter: 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. NKJV
3. How can I help someone?
The challenges and difficulties faced in the world today are more difficult and complex. People wonder what is going on. This causes them to want to give up. I can help people see that when they submit to and focus on Jesus, He will take them through and impact life. He will make life worth living. The god of this world is death, Jesus is life and peace.
Bible Chapter: II Corinthians 3
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Paul talked about their calling and effectiveness as ministers of the Gospel. The believers in Corinth were a letter written of the impact of their work of ministry. He was not bragging about how awesome they were in ministry, but that God had given them the gifts they had. God made them competent, meaning they were qualified and adequately empowered. God brought the results. Those called to ministry must remember this concept, it is God who calls and enables.
The Spirit of God brings freedom to believers. We are freed from the bondage and condemnation of sin. When a person receives Jesus as their personal Savior they are made more free than they ever have been. As the Spirit dwells in a person they enjoy the freedom from bondage. Christians are free to do what pleases God. It is not that they have to obey, they are free to obey and desire to do it. One of the blessed results of this is that believers reflect the glory of God. We are changed.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Whatever I can accomplish is only because of God’s provision of the ability. I have often thought of the amazing advances in technology the world is experiencing. I have to admit I don’t understand how or why any of it works. I use much of it, but think about the fact that I could never create it. I have come to, and continue to come to the conclusion that all the laws of science and nature are there because that’s the way God wanted it to be. Why does “this” or “that” work? Because that’s the way God wanted it to be.
Why do we have so many amazing tools and toys today? Because God is revealing secrets to people and they are “discovering” many of God’s secrets. He could have revealed all of this thousands of years ago. These new and amazing gadgets we have today are only because God is revealing the secrets behind them.
What does all this mean to me? I must be open to what God reveals through His Word and what He reveals through His Spirit. I must remember that all glory goes to Him and do what He has called and enabled me to do. And, I must do what He plans for me to do.
3. How can I help someone?
As the glory of God will shine through me, people will see the freedom they can have through Jesus. As God transforms me, He wants to transform all who will be open to Him.
Bible Chapter: II Corinthians 2
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Paul had a sensitive heart for the people he ministered to. He cared about them and was concerned that they would really live for Jesus. There were some who didn’t fully serve the Lord. They needed someone to get their attention. He told the church to help those folks to see what they were doing so they would be drawn back to a strong relationship with Jesus. The church was to be ready to forgive those who repented. Like a parent with several children who would say he didn’t want anything to happen to even one of them, (he has no children to spare) Paul was concerned with the welfare of all the believers and wanted all of them to genuinely live for the Lord).
Paul also talked about preachers who preach for the purpose of gaining fame and money. Some were watering down the message of the gospel to make it more palatable. Their greed caused them to make the gospel something it wasn’t in order to draw a crowd and make money. He had no time for these folks. He was very clear to say they didn’t preach simply so they could gain financially.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I must remain sensitive to right and wrong. I must remain sensitive to helping people stay on the path that keeps them close to Jesus. The temptations the Corinthians faced are still before people today. It is easy to be drawn to someone preaching a comfortable gospel. I must be sure I preach the Bible the way it was meant to be preached. No compromise.
3. How can I help someone?
What do people need to hear? What does God want them to hear? That is what I must continue to seek and present in any way possible.
