13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
The Apostle gives us two foundational premises for the Christian walk,
which is to be for the glory of God. The first is Faith—“we also believe and
therefore speak”. Hebrews 11: 6 defines Faith as the belief in God’s
existence Justice. It is important that our manner of conduct as Christians be
Faith-based i.e. based on our belief in God and His Justice. But Faith in God is
not the luxury of the Christian; non-Christians also have Faith in God’s
existence and Justice. This leads to the second point the Apostle raises, namely
Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus. This Faith is what defines a Christian. Do
you believe in the Resurrection of Jesus? If you do, then the Apostle says that
the same Power of God that raised the lifeless body of Jesus will work in and
through you towards others for God’s glory!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2 Corinthians 4.1–6
1Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For 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 the glory of God in the face of Christ.
The sun is our main source of light. Relative to the earth, the sun is in a fixed position. Whether or not we receive the light depends on many things. One is the position of the earth relative to the sun. Are we on the part of the earth facing the sun? Are there any atmospheric conditions blocking the light? Are there any man-made things, such as buildings, blocking the light? Do we even have our eyes open? Regardless of all of these factors, the light is always there and always shining.
Paul, in comparing the message of the gospel to light, says the same thing. The message is always there, and it’s always clear. But, there are things in this world, some within our control and some outside of our control that work to obscure it.
What is blocking you from the light? What do you need to do to remove it?
The sun is our main source of light. Relative to the earth, the sun is in a fixed position. Whether or not we receive the light depends on many things. One is the position of the earth relative to the sun. Are we on the part of the earth facing the sun? Are there any atmospheric conditions blocking the light? Are there any man-made things, such as buildings, blocking the light? Do we even have our eyes open? Regardless of all of these factors, the light is always there and always shining.
Paul, in comparing the message of the gospel to light, says the same thing. The message is always there, and it’s always clear. But, there are things in this world, some within our control and some outside of our control that work to obscure it.
What is blocking you from the light? What do you need to do to remove it?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
II Corinthians 3:12-18
Back when my nephew was just a year old, I was sitting with him on my grandmother’s couch. My uncle Max was sitting on the other couch. As we sat there, my nephew kept peeking around me, keeping an eye on Max. He wasn’t quite sure if he could trust him or not.
I understood what he was going through. When I was a little kid, I was terrified of Max. Max is about 6 feet 6 inches tall, had a thick black moustache, and a deep, gravelly voice. He was very intimidating for a small child. But, with Max, the intimidation is purely physical. He’s one of the nicest people I know. While he still looks intimidating, I’m not afraid of Max anymore.
God can often seem intimidating and unapproachable. But, as he showed us through Jesus, he is very approachable. The veil has been torn and we are able to go to him without fear.
What’s keeping you from approaching God?
I understood what he was going through. When I was a little kid, I was terrified of Max. Max is about 6 feet 6 inches tall, had a thick black moustache, and a deep, gravelly voice. He was very intimidating for a small child. But, with Max, the intimidation is purely physical. He’s one of the nicest people I know. While he still looks intimidating, I’m not afraid of Max anymore.
God can often seem intimidating and unapproachable. But, as he showed us through Jesus, he is very approachable. The veil has been torn and we are able to go to him without fear.
What’s keeping you from approaching God?
Monday, February 2, 2009
2 Corinthians 3:7-11
Fading Glory vs. Increasing Glory
We spent a lot of time last semester reflecting on the differences between the old covenant and the new covenant. Paul addresses the subject of old vs. new in this passage by speaking in terms of glory. When Moses descended the mountain after conversing with God, he held in his arms the law (the Ten Commandments), and his face shown with the glory of the Lord. The glory that radiated from Moses was so amazing that the people could not even bear to look at him! You can read more about this in Exodus 34:29-35.
Even so, this glory quickly began to fade. It was only temporary.
Paul makes a point here that the new covenant established by Christ is quite different than that of the old covenant. It’s glory and power does not fade or become dull; it increases, and it is everlasting.
What is your understanding of a glory that fades vs. a glory that increases?
We spent a lot of time last semester reflecting on the differences between the old covenant and the new covenant. Paul addresses the subject of old vs. new in this passage by speaking in terms of glory. When Moses descended the mountain after conversing with God, he held in his arms the law (the Ten Commandments), and his face shown with the glory of the Lord. The glory that radiated from Moses was so amazing that the people could not even bear to look at him! You can read more about this in Exodus 34:29-35.
Even so, this glory quickly began to fade. It was only temporary.
Paul makes a point here that the new covenant established by Christ is quite different than that of the old covenant. It’s glory and power does not fade or become dull; it increases, and it is everlasting.
What is your understanding of a glory that fades vs. a glory that increases?
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