R³ Devotional - Day 338

I always love having a chance to dive into Paul’s letters, but goodness do you have to have your A-game for reading on while diving in.  I lovingly refer to Paul as, “The master of run-on sentences!”  I found this review of 2 Corinthians 1 – 4 however, to be a read that really does produce real fruit for the reader, especially the believer. The fruit that I refer to is summarized below…

• God IS the source of all comfort:  Paul uses real situations to show us that…
  • God’s character is unchanging and we can have hope in that.
  • True comfort is not escape from life’s struggles, but IS God’s presence in those times.

• The sufferings that we as believers face can actually be ministry to others:  Paul points out that…
  • Our suffering as believers WITH Christ can allow for encouragement we share with fellow believers.
  • The comfort that we receive and exhibit in our sufferings can be comfort that is shared with fellow believers.

• The sufferings/trials that we face are opportunities to rely on God and not ourselves:  Paul speaks of his and Timothy’s (and others) sufferings even to the point of being near death…
  • God can and will take us to our limits to turn our trust fully to Him.
  • Prayer in those times of suffering turn our hearts to God AND the hearts of fellow believers as well.
  • Suffering brings us to recognize our points of weakness and essentially turn or trust fully to Him.

• Understanding God’s integrity and the power of His word:  We see Paul showing us that we can experience…
  • A clear conscience before God and others.
  • Our ministry must be rooted in sincerity and manipulation.
  • In times of potential misunderstanding, Godly character gives stability.

• The soundness of the Old Covenant is great; however, the New Covenant (in Christ) is even more…
  • Paul’s discussion on the covenant on the tablet(s) and emphasis on the covenant of Christ (Spirit) is truly amazing in this scripture.  The law shows us we can’t be righteous, but the Spirit God gives us as believers is a true and real Hope for not only us but for others who see that in us and hear it from us.

• There is sound description of what our faith walks should look like:  Paul clarifies that we are…
  • In a continuous transformation process (Sanctification) after Justification through our acceptance of Christ, who He is, and what He has done.
  • The Christian Walk is progressing through spirit-driven renewal.

• We can’t miss the Jars of Clay…
  • We are fragile vessels that hold a treasure beyond measure as we walk through life being led by the Holy Spirit!

Real Life Principles:  Justification (come to know and trust in Christ) and Sanctification (continued renewal (growth).  As believers our lives (like it or not) become a representation of what others see as believers.  When we hit those trials, our first turn should be to Him, and what others witness should be an unchanging and solid trust in God.  Not easy, but truly trusting in God helps us in that.

Relevant Life Applications:  Walk the Walk.. and Talk the Talk… God doesn’t want our attention and faith only when things are rough…He wants it all the time!  In all reality, people should not have to ask, “are you a Christian?”  This should be evident and without question to others (that there is something different you…that something different is an unwavering faith and trust in God).

Being Ready with Life Action Steps: Get out of your comfort zone… if God is speaking to you to get out and share your sufferings and where He was in those, LISTEN!  I am not sure who penned it, but it is stickered on our bathroom wall, “God didn’t carry your through a storm just to drop you in a puddle!”  There’s a reason for those sufferings, find where God was in those and be bold in sharing that with others.  You never know, they may have experienced the same and just don’t know what to do!