Daily Bread 2 Corinthians 6
Daily Bread
2 Corinthians 6
1As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul's Hardships
3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Observation:
Part of Paul’s purpose in writing this letter is establishing his validity as an apostle. Often teachers were among the elite, and you wouldn’t find them getting entangled in everyday affairs. Paul shows that his life and his hardships prove that he is not in this for his own self interest. If Paul were purporting to be an apostle for the perks it brought, the list of what he experienced did not support that notion.
Paul shows us that no matter how bad things get in this life, the power of God that lives in us is greater than what the world can throw at us. Paul didn’t claim any privileges as an apostle, only the right to lay down his life and give himself completely for the sake of the gospel and for the people of these first churches.
As we might say today, “His walk matched his talk”. People cared how he knew because he showed how much he cared. Paul could certainly say he did not receive God’s grace in vain. Despite his early failures, Paul certainly made the most of the mercy and grace God gave him. He poured out his life like a drink offering, on behalf of the One who gave him new life and a second chance.
Application:
Paul’s life shows the upside-down nature of following Jesus. As we lay down our lives, we find our life. As we surrender, we find true freedom. As we serve others, we find joy. Even though things don’t go well, we can rejoice and find a purpose in suffering following the pattern of our Lord Jesus, who became a true king by dying on a lowly cross. His crown of thorns led to a crown that will reign over all the earth some day.
Although you might not have experienced the level of hardship our brother Paul experienced, if you are Christian, you are likely at some time to experience suffering. As we encounter various kinds of trials, may we be like Paul who could say, “The suffering we endure here is not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be reveled to us on the day of Christ Jesus.”
Prayer:
God thank you for servants like Paul, who showed us what it meant to lead by example in good times and in bad times. Help us in whatever trial we face to fight it with the weapons you give us and not try battle with our own limited resources. Help us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received from you Jesus, in Your name and power we pray, Amen.
2 Corinthians 6
1As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul's Hardships
3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Observation:
Part of Paul’s purpose in writing this letter is establishing his validity as an apostle. Often teachers were among the elite, and you wouldn’t find them getting entangled in everyday affairs. Paul shows that his life and his hardships prove that he is not in this for his own self interest. If Paul were purporting to be an apostle for the perks it brought, the list of what he experienced did not support that notion.
Paul shows us that no matter how bad things get in this life, the power of God that lives in us is greater than what the world can throw at us. Paul didn’t claim any privileges as an apostle, only the right to lay down his life and give himself completely for the sake of the gospel and for the people of these first churches.
As we might say today, “His walk matched his talk”. People cared how he knew because he showed how much he cared. Paul could certainly say he did not receive God’s grace in vain. Despite his early failures, Paul certainly made the most of the mercy and grace God gave him. He poured out his life like a drink offering, on behalf of the One who gave him new life and a second chance.
Application:
Paul’s life shows the upside-down nature of following Jesus. As we lay down our lives, we find our life. As we surrender, we find true freedom. As we serve others, we find joy. Even though things don’t go well, we can rejoice and find a purpose in suffering following the pattern of our Lord Jesus, who became a true king by dying on a lowly cross. His crown of thorns led to a crown that will reign over all the earth some day.
Although you might not have experienced the level of hardship our brother Paul experienced, if you are Christian, you are likely at some time to experience suffering. As we encounter various kinds of trials, may we be like Paul who could say, “The suffering we endure here is not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be reveled to us on the day of Christ Jesus.”
Prayer:
God thank you for servants like Paul, who showed us what it meant to lead by example in good times and in bad times. Help us in whatever trial we face to fight it with the weapons you give us and not try battle with our own limited resources. Help us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received from you Jesus, in Your name and power we pray, Amen.
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