Respect and Honor

1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Thoughts: Paul does not need to brag or have other people brag for him.  The people in Corinth are the fruit of his labor in the power and grace of the Lord.  1 Samuel 2:30 says, "Those who honor me I will honor."  Jesus himself said to not sit at the place of honor but sit at the lowest place and let the banquet maker elevate you (Luke 14:8-10).  We do not need to boast of who we are and our accomplishments- for without God any good would be impossible.  The very best kind of fruit in life is the fruit of changed human lives impacted for eternity.  The Corinthians are a living letter to call the Corinthians to respect Paul.  When the Spirit is at work in the lives of people, we need to respect those who are being used by the Holy Spirit to make a difference.  Looking back, it is hard for us to imagine the Corinthians not respecting the great apostle Paul.  The worldly pressures and little problems no doubt influenced them to grumble against his leadership.  

Prayer: Lord, our lives, our reputations, our honor are yours.  Keep me from seeking worldly honor over honoring you.  Give me grace to honor those who honor you.  

Sincerity in ministry

 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. (2 Corinthians 2:17) 

Thoughts: The secular world often stands in awe of those who make tons of money as singers as actors/actresses, or creatively making things that do not last.  But when even the minister of the largest church or author of a million selling books earns a lot of money, the world stands aghast. There is some irony in that.  I remember an old minister who moved into a very rich church.  The committee that called him asked how much money he would like as a salary.  He said, "I would like the average salary of the congregation."  They laughed.  There is a verse (quoted again in scripture) that says "a laborer is worthy of his hire" (Lk. 10:7; 1 Tim. 5:18). 
   However,  Jesus had nothing- no home, no clothes, and he died penniless.  He was dependent on those around him (like Mary, Martha, Lazarus) to provide for his needs.  He had no savings. Paul had learned a skill from his father- making tents.  He would preach some, and sell tents to earn his keep.  Ministers are not meant to love the world.  A minister who is generous with their time and their money is to be respected.  I admire Rick Warren who has helped millions and given all the money from his books to help the needy- especially in Africa.  A minister is not owed anything, but is provided a living out of grace. 
    Paul is also subtle asking for people to listen to him and respect his sincerity.  If people do not respect a minister, they cannot hear and respond to the gospel.  Ministers are called to earn that respect by setting an example of sincerity and generosity- not shallowness and greed.  

Prayer: Lord, bless the ministers in my life with sincerity and hope.  

Victory Parade

14But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.16To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

Thoughts: Paul pictured Christ as the ultimate triumphant person.  In Roman society that would be the triumph parade  of a general.  The politicians would come first, then the trumpeters. Then came the spoils of the land and pictures or models of citadels conquered. Then a white bull would be paraded through to be sacrificed.  Then the conquered princes and leaders would come- eventually to be pardoned to become Romans or killed.  Then priests would come swinging incense- the aroma of victory- right before the general would arrive in his chariot pulled by four horses.  To those on the victorious general's side, the smell of the incense was an aroma of victory, but to those who were the conquered this smell was the aroma of defeat.
     We are part of Christ's victory parade.  For us the victory aroma is a blessing.  Others are adamantly opposed to Christ for His victory means the defeat of their pride.  

Prayer: Lord, let me proudly march  in your great victory parade.  May I rejoice that you are victorious and therefore I am as well.  

Titus Arch Image- part of General Titus' victory parade

Listening and Moving According to the Spirit

12Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 2:12-13)

Thoughts: There are some subtle truths we see in this passage that indicates Paul's great trust and faith.  He sees an opportunity to preach and bear fruit in Troas (the ancient site of Troy).  The truth that could apply to us is that God provides a way- opening doors of opportunity for us.  It is also important to note that Paul was looking for an opportunity and had placed himself in a position to do something.  Paul went forward and God blessed his effort by making a way.  Paul was still trying to listen to the Spirit about where he should go.  Sometimes we can be overly dependent on our plans and are not willing to be flexible and adapt to where God is leading us.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to see the doors you open for me.  Give me grace to have a listening ear to your Spirit. 

Forgiveness After Discipline

5If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.9Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:5-11)

Thoughts: Paul is referring here to someone who sinned and he asked to discipline him.  But now he says there is forgiveness for them, and the need to reaffirm love.  Paul knew God's grace.  He knew that though he had thrown Christians in jail and assisted in the stoning of Stephen he had been forgiven.  Those who have forgiven much can forgive much.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to forgive those in my life that  have hurt me.  

Against Divsions

1So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. (2 Corinthians 2:1-4)

Thoughts: There have always been problems wherever humans have been- this includes the church.  People can rub each other the wrong way.  But truth is, we need each other- with our different gifts and perspectives.  The Corinthian church was full of divisions.  There apparently were some who did not want to listen to Paul.  There were some who said they were followers of different leaders (Apollos, Peter, or others).  There were others who were divided over immorality going on in the church and how to handle it.  There were others divided over their different gifts (the eye should not say to the hand "I don't need you.):.  The church in many ways is the place where we rub elbows and learn to love and get along.  Paul is right to urge them to stay together in unity to get along instead of dividing in order to go on the futile quest to find the pure church.  

Prayer: Lord, give me grace not to be divisive but to be an instrument of peace and hope. 

Trustworthiness of God

18But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas^c and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(2 Corinthians 1:18-22)

Thoughts: You can trust God.  In our world, so many give up on us- and we likewise give up on others.  This passage reminds us that God's promises are not fickle.  His truth matches His intentions and purposes.  It is this faithfulness- this steadiness that enables us to stand firm and steady.  His Spirit in our hearts is a guarantee of what is to come.  We know God is trustworthy not by some argument or rational thought- but by the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts and convincing us we can stake our lives on the promises and trustworthiness of God. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to rely and trust in you.