Devotions

Now is the Day of Salvation

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The gospel has been and is being preached in the streets. Many have believed, but there are tactics used by our enemy to distract and divide. Offense is one tactic and it can happen because of something we have done or not done so we must seek ourselves, to live for God and to avoid any offense. Another tactic is to appeal to our affections, our natural desires and we then fall short of the great things God has for us. But we can “cleanse ourselves … accomplishing holiness in the fear of the Lord” and fulfill all of God’s plan for our lives. 

Now is the Day of Salvation

2 Corinthians 6:1–13
The gospel is spoken freely, and to everyone that calls on the Lord, in 2 Corinthians 6:2 he hears and helps. Now Paul says in

2 Corinthians 6:3 We are giving no one an occasion for taking offense in anything, in order that our ministry will not have fault found with it,

This is one of the tactics of the enemy, a failure or short coming in a Christian leader. But, Paul wants them to know the injustice, the persecution, the suffering he has faced and he has stayed in love, and kindness and patience, and he has lived by the fruit of the Holy Spirit to avoid any offense that might alienate any believer.

Then, Paul comes to the second tactic used to divide and separate believers. They have heard the gospel in 2 Corinthians 6:11-12 “We have spoken freely and openly” so Paul has not held anything back from them, nor has God, “our heart is open wide. 12 You are not restricted by us”. The door to salvation and eternal life with God is wide open for them. There should not be any hindrance, “but you are restricted in your affections”. They have natural desires that have taken precedence and they are walking like the world. 

I Will Walk About Among Them

2 Corinthians 6:14–18
God is calling us to a Holy life, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers”. Certainly we are in the world, but we are here to influence the world for God and not for us to be influenced by the world. God’s desire to walk with us (believers) is not a new concept here. This has been from the beginning, ‘“even as God said.” Quotation from Le 26:12; Je 31:33; 32:38; Ez 37:26, 27; compare Mt 28:20; Jn 14:23’.1 

Accomplishing Holiness in the Fear of God

2 Corinthians 7:1–7
Now Paul says, in 2 Corinthians 7:1 “since we have these promises” (that we are new creatures in Christ, that God has reconciled us to himself, that God will live in us and walk among us) “let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of body and spirit”. Paul says that we should cleanse ourselves. But, you say, didn’t Jesus forgive me of my sin? Yes, but I say, now live for Him.

This is one of the toughest areas of Christian life because we can easily get caught up in works, religious acts, to try to please God. And the truth is, we can never do enough. The key though, is right here in 2 Corinthians 7:1 “accomplishing holiness in the fear of God”. When we have a right understanding of the love of God (and that has been well preached) and also understand that God is a consuming fire, we have the right incentive to live a holy life. As it says in

1 Peter 1:15–16 (LEB) but as the one who called you is holy, you yourselves be holy in all your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You will be holy, because I am holy.”

It is always amazing to me how God works. This morning we read these passages in our prayer time and I would have told you the love of God is enough, God is working in us to take us from Glory to Glory. You may know the things we Christians say to excuse the influence of the world in the Church and even in our own lives. But the Bible Study message in our Church group this evening was “The Fear of the Lord” by John Bevere. And in this series, he begins by reminding us of Gods character and nature, He is Holy, He is a consuming fire, and it is important for us to “cleanse ourselves … accomplishing holiness in the fear of the Lord”.

You Were Grieved to Repentance

2 Corinthians 7:8–16
We are emotional beings and our emotions can sometimes work against us, but here, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:9 “you were grieved to repentance”. There had been one among them that needed correction. And, they were to give him over “for the destruction of the flesh”. In this case, they had been accepting what he was doing to the detriment of the Church. They did take action and as difficult as it was, they established righteousness again in their midst. As Paul says in

2 Corinthians 7:10 (LEB) For grief according to the will of God brings about a repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but worldly grief brings about death.

Proving the Genuineness of Your Love

2 Corinthians 8:1–15

They are Messengers of the Churches

2 Corinthians 8:16–24

Your Zeal has Stirred up the Majority

2 Corinthians 9:1–15

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • 2 Corinthians 6:1-18
  • 2 Corinthians 7:1-16
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-24
  • 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 311). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.