Tag: Devotional

Grace to Abound

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

EXPLAIN

In 2 Corinthians 8-9 Paul talks about the collection for the needy in Jerusalem. Corinth Church had begun this collection a year before; now, Paul urged them to complete it.

He told them that now in their time of abundance they could supply what was needed for those who had lack. In the future, they themselves might have need and receive from those they were giving to now.

Paul did not feel like Corinth Church was unwilling to give, but he wanted to remind them so that when he came to receive the collection they would be ready, and not be embarrassed.

Paul then encouraged them with the principle of sowing and reaping, saying that God loves a cheerful giver. And so God provides grace so that we can abound in every good work.

APPLY

It may seem like a lack of faith for us, at times, to give largely to God’s work. But if God has prompted us to do so, we can trust that God will give us the grace to accomplish the work. This should give us confidence in attempting greater things for God!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the encouragement that you provide the grace we need to do the ministry you have set before us. Help me to be faithful in serving you. Amen.

The aroma of Christ

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

2 Corinthians 2:15–16 (ESV): 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.

EXPLAIN

2 Corinthians is believed to be actually the fourth letter of Paul to Corinth Church. From his statements in the two letters we have, it appears that a first and third letter were written, but were not preserved.

Between 1 and 2 Corinthians, Paul’s plans had changed. The letter he had written in between was very sharp, but necessary for the people to finally repent.

Now Paul defended his change of plans. He also urged the people to forgive the man who had sinned in their church and accept him back.

As Paul continued to explain his movements to Macedonia, he used the analogy of Christ as a conquering general leading the apostles as captives in a triumphal procession, through them spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ everywhere.

APPLY

This is an amazing idea – that we are the aroma, the smell, the fragrance of Christ. To those who accept Christ, we are a fragrance of life, but to those who reject him, we are the fragrance of death.

As the fragrance of Jesus, may people smell him, not me! To whatever degree I am seen, may my life promote Christ!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, make of me a pleasing aroma for Jesus, drawing others to you by the smell of grace, love, and faith exuding from me. Amen.

Your labor is not in vain

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

EXPLAIN

After correcting abuses in worship in 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul transitioned to address a fallacy in what some were teaching in Corinth Church: that there is no resurrection of the dead.

Paul forcefully shared the gospel, which is capped off by Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Then Paul engaged the people with logic, asking if there is no resurrection of the dead, then how could Christ have risen from the dead? And if Christ did not rise from the dead, then what basis do we have to believe the gospel?

Paul continued to speak of the resurrection, explaining that when we are raised we will have a new body, an immortal body. Thus, while death stings today, death will one day be swallowed up in victory.

Therefore, we must remain steadfast in the work of the Lord.

APPLY

This scripture is an encouragement to us, firstly, because we can know that we have hope of eternal life. Christ rose from the dead and by his power we will also be raised.

This scripture is also an encouragement simply from the standpoint that while in ourselves we might be discouraged at times, wondering if our attempts to serve God were bearing fruit, we can know that just as God had the power to raise Christ from the dead, God has power to use our feeble efforts for his glory.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live faithfully for you, serving you with confidence knowing that you receive my “living sacrifice” as acceptable worship, using my life for your glory. Amen.

A life not offensive to anyone

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

1 Corinthians 10:31–33 (ESV): 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

EXPLAIN

In this chapter Paul gave a stern warning against idolatry. He warned the Christians they could not participate in the pagan sacrifices that were so much part of daily life and business.

But then Paul instructed them not to worry about where the meat they bought in the marketplace came from. Nor should they ask questions when they went to eat with someone. But if someone else were to raise questions, they should not act to violate that person’s conscience.

The guiding principle is simply to glorify God. In so doing, they should not do anything to offend others.

APPLY

Today, in contrast, we often assert our independence and freedom over the rights and concerns of others. Instead of being concerned for the conscience of other Christians, we insist on our way. Instead of valuing a blameless testimony before the world, we insist on our way.

How might our testimony go forward if we were more concerned about not giving offense to anyone?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, please help me to live in the freedom you have given me, but may I not use that freedom to be offensive to others. May I be a conduit of your love, even if that means I must give up my rights to reach others for you. Amen.

Compelled

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV): 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

EXPLAIN

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul began addressing the controversy of eating meat that had been offered to idols. Some understood there is only one God and did not see anything wrong to eat such meat. Others felt like they were sinning against God.

Paul laid down the principle of not doing anything to encourage or lead another person to sin, even though that might mean giving up one’s freedoms.

So in 1 Corinthians 9 he used himself as an example. Though he had the right to expect the believers to support him in his ministry, he refused to demand this and worked to supply his own income.

That he might have to work to provide food for himself did not discourage his passion in proclaiming the gospel. Rather, he felt compelled by his call from God to preach.

APPLY

While ministers of the gospel are often supported today, our calling comes from God. We preach, teach and proclaim the good news because we are compelled by the love of God. It is not wrong to receive something in return, but our passion is not wealth. Our passion is to share the love of Jesus.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the compelling passion to share the good news of your kingdom. Help me to be faithful in spreading your love today. Amen.

Bought with a price

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV): 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

EXPLAIN

In the previous chapter, Paul began addressing another big issue in Corinth Church – sexual immorality. What was truly sad was that the sexual immorality being tolerated by this church was not even accepted as proper in the secular community around them.

Chapter 6 begins with a discussion about lawsuits among believers, but since Paul returned to the issue of sexual immorality in the latter half of the chapter and then discussed principles for marriage in chapter 7, one wonders if the issue of lawsuits was in context with this particular case of sexual immorality going on in the church.

Regardless, at the end of 1 Corinthians 6 Paul laid down a sweeping principles that should govern not only our understanding of sexuality, but of all life: as Christians, we have been bought (redeemed) by the blood of Christ shed on Calvary. Therefore, our bodies, our lives, belong to the Holy Spirit. We must strive in all ways to please God.

APPLY

This scriptural principle is not new, but it is one that we should be reminded of regularly. If we are not careful, we may begin to think and act as if we are our own boss. But as followers of Jesus, we belong to Christ. We must live surrendered to the will of God at all times.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I thank you that I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Help me to live always with the mindset that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. May I glorify you in all that I think, say, and do. Amen.

There is One who gives the growth

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

1 Corinthians 3:7–8 (ESV): 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.

EXPLAIN

In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul noted that he did not come to Corinth with lofty speech or wisdom. Rather, God’s power was evident through his ministry. Paul then noted that God’s wisdom is much greater than the wisdom of the world, but those of the world believe God’s wisdom is folly.

Paul then noted in 1 Corinthians 3 that he could not address the believers in Corinth as spiritual people, but as carnal. Even though they were Christians, they were acting much like the world, when they divided into competing factions, identifying themselves with various preachers.

So Paul noted that he and Apollos were merely servants. They were not the ones to be applauded for their ministry. Rather, God was to be glorified for the work he was doing in the people’s lives.

APPLY

This scripture should be both a comfort and a challenge to us. This scripture is comforting because in the world’s eyes – and in even many Christians’ eyes – one follower of Jesus may be more “important” or “successful” because of their ministry. But our text reminds us that God gives the growth.

This scripture should challenge us because we often are tempted to take credit for what only God can accomplish. Or, we accept praise that belongs to God.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to serve you faithfully, not worrying about who gets the credit or how successful others may believe me to be. Rather, through my efforts to serve you, may you accomplish your purposes. Amen.

We preach Christ crucified

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

1 Corinthians 1:22–24 (ESV): 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

EXPLAIN

Paul was writing a church that was being torn apart by various divisions. The people choosing different personalities in whose name they were allying under. Paul urged them, instead, to be united by the same mindset.

With this in mind, Paul expressed gratitude that he had not baptized any of the Corinthians, except a few, so that the people would have one less reason to claim his name. For Paul’s purpose was not to gain personal followers, but to proclaim the gospel.

The gospel turns the wisdom of the world on its head. Therefore, both Jews and Greeks find the gospel offensive, but for those called by God, it is the wisdom and power of God.

APPLY

As we seek to make disciples who make disciples of Jesus, our attempt must never be to gain personal followers, but to proclaim the gospel so that people will follow Jesus.

Many may find God’s Word to be offensive, simple, or foolish, but for those who accept God’s truth, they will be changed dramatically by the grace of Jesus.

Therefore, our task always is to point people to God’s Word so they might know Jesus.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the life-transforming power of your Word. Help me to proclaim the gospel in such a way that you gain all the glory. Amen.

Simple Love

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

Romans 14:13 (ESV): 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

EXPLAIN

After the various instructions in Romans 12-13 for the believers to love one another, Paul tackled an issue in Romans 14-15 that sought to divide the early church. 

Should they eat meat sold in the marketplace that had been offered as sacrifices in the pagan temples? Some believed there was no issue, as there is only one God. Others felt like eating such meat was a participation in idol worship.

Paul’s response was that each person should follow the dictates of their conscience as guided by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, none should seek to encourage someone else to violate their conscience. Rather, they should never pass judgment on each other.

Paul’s exhortation was, in essence, to practice the love he had challenged them to demonstrate.

APPLY

Today, there are a variety of issues that can cause difficulties in the Christian community. We could criticize each other. We could ignore how we feel the Holy Spirit wants us personally to live.

Or we could practice simple love: demonstrate our love to Jesus by following the Holy Spirit’s prompting in our lives and demonstrate our love for others by trusting that they are following the Holy Spirit’s prompting also.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live a holy life characterized by my passionate love for you and compassionate love for others. May I never be known for criticism or judgment. Instead, may I practice Christian love toward everyone with whom I come into contact. Amen.

Love does no wrong

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

Romans 13:10 (ESV): 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 

EXPLAIN

Paul’s practical exhortations to holy living begin in Romans 12. Because all have sinned, because salvation is only received by grace through faith, because of the power of sin that only Christ can deliver us from, because of God’s sovereign choice to include us in his family… therefore, we should offer our lives as living sacrifices, no longer living like the world, having our minds renewed by God’s Word.

Consecrated, holy living is marked by love for one another. Immediately after Paul’s exhortation to be a living sacrifice, he began to discuss the Christian life in terms of love. That theme continues throughout Romans 13.

APPLY

Love does no wrong to a neighbor.

Love does not do anything or say anything that might harm someone else.

This is an incredibly high standard of Christian living! Indeed, our world would be transformed greatly if we truly embraced this guideline.

Don’t do anything that could, would, or does harm to anyone. 

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great grace. Help me to live by your Word, according to your will, a life of love that does no wrong to anyone. Amen.