CHAPTER 5 (ESV)

 

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. ¹³ For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

¹⁶ From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

REFLECTION

1. Paul understood the nature of reconciliation – to bring into harmony with. Paul was sure that God, who in Christ has reconciled the world to Himself, will work in the believer’s life until he lives that life of righteousness that reveals the harmonious relationship with the Lord (v21).
2. “God was reconcilingthe world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (v19). With this assurance, we are freed also not to count the sins of others. We’re freed not to hold their failures against them. And we’re free to communicate our confidence that, though they stumble, they will rise again. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ” (v17)
3. Go back to Reflection #3 of Chapter 2. Use this passage as a base for your prayer for that person. Pray that God will remove any critical and judgmental spirit in you. And teach you to continue to contact and encourage this person and bring him/her back to the church family.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 4 (ESV)

 

The Light of the Gospel

¹ Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. ¹² So death is at work in us, but life in you.

 

REFLECTION

1. Paul was contrasting the weak and ordinary character of the messenger with the overwhelming power of the message. In fact, he was under pressure, perplexed, persecuted, knocked to the ground. Everything in his experience reminded him that the dynamic power that had marked his ministry had not come from him. He credited Jesus with the fact that despite his weaknesses he had not been crushed, nor drowned in despair, nor abandoned or destroyed.
2. Don’t let a sense of personal weakness keep you from serving God. The fact that we are weak is the backdrop against which the incomparable power of God is revealed.
3. Sing quietly this traditional gospel song “Just a closer walk with Thee” as a prayer to God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KStZ40DlOQc

I am weak but Thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee, oh let it be dear Lord let it be.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 3 (ESV)

 

¹² Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, ¹³ not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. ¹⁴ But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.¹⁵ Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.¹⁶ But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

 

REFLECTION

1. Paul looked back to Moses and the incident of the veil (v13) to contrast Old and New Covenants. Moses’ face shone with glory after each visit he had with God (Ex 24:29-35). But that glory faded after a time. The glory of the Old, in which Moses went to God, faded as Moses left His presence. The glory of the New shines ever brighter, for God’s Spirit has come to us never to depart, and He is transforming us from within.
2. When we “behold” (v18) the splendor of God revealed by Christ, we find ourselves changed by it. Gradually, by the power of the Spirit, we are being transformed into Christ’s likeness, the way that God had intended for us to be when he created us.
3. Though there are still warts and blemishes all too visible, we are growing and changing. In the process of the ever-increasing glory of the transformation taking place, “The Christian is the person who makes it easy for others to believe in God.”
4. Pray: Lord, help me to reflect more of your glory and to become easier for others to see you and believe in you.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

 

 

CHAPTER 2 (ESV)

 

Forgive the Sinner

⁵ Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. ⁶ For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, ⁷ so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹ For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. ¹⁰ Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

 

REFLECTION

1. In this passage, Paul refers to the discipline of a member of the church, possibly because of a gross sexual sin (see 1Co 5:1). How does Paul’s handling of this problem affirm his love not only for the Corinthians but also for the man who had sinned?
2. How would Paul’s approach to discipline be one that would still allow the person confronted to hear God’s affirmation in Christ? It is important for the community to pursue forgiveness in order to prevent Satan from accomplishing his schemes against the Church.
3. Do you know any believer that may need to re-enter the church community right now? If so, ask God for wisdom and love to forgive, comfort and restore this person into God’s family.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

 

 

2 Corinthians CHAPTER 1 (ESV)

 

God of All Comfort

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. ⁶ If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. ⁷ Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

⁸ For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. ¹⁰ He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. ¹¹ You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

 

REFLECTION

1. Christians may suffer because of the faith that we have. But when we suffer and are persecuted because of Jesus, we can also be comforted because we know that God is at work, seeking reconciliation between God and men and that Christ is the one who comforts us. When we suffer for the gospel, we are put into a position of needing to be dependent on God.
2. When was the last time you felt like in a pressure cooker? What happened? In what ways have you experienced God’s comfort? How does your experience of God’s comfort enable you to comfort others?
3. Think of someone you know who needs to experience God’s comfort. Ask God to comfort that person and to use you in offering comfort. Spend a few minutes praying for this person. Give him/her a call in a few days, or write him/her an email asking how things are and telling him/her that you are praying for him/her.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

1 Corinthians 16 English Standard Version (ESV)

Final Instructions

¹² Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

¹³ Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that you do be done in love.

¹⁵ Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— ¹⁶ be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. ¹⁷ I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, ¹⁸ for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.

Greetings

¹⁹ The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. ²⁰ All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. ²² If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

REFLECTION

• If time allows, read the whole chapter. Then read the passage for today.
• The Corinthian Church has many problems. Paul, with much love and courage, pointed out principles and methods to deal with these problems and urged them to go back to Christ. 1 Corinthians taught us that Unity and Love in church is far more important than leadership and reputation.
• In these final instructions to the Christians at Corinth, Paul first charges them to let all that they do “be done in love”(v14) and then to put themselves “at the service” of such people as the household of Stephanas.
• Loving service to the saints seems to be the norm, not the exception. In what ways have you “served the saints” during the past year? In what ways can you serve them in the future? What could you serve in this week or this month? Pray, “Lord, show me and I will obey”.

1 Corinthians 15 English Standard Version (ESV)

Mystery and Victory

⁵⁰ I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
⁵⁵ “O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

 

REFLECTION

• If time allows, read the whole chapter. Then read the passage for today.
• The author of Ecclesiastes looked back over a busy and successful life, and declared it meaningless. All he had accomplished meant nothing, he complained, for he would die. And what he had built would be left to another (Ecc 2:17-23).
• However, Paul in this passage shouted out in triumph. What we accomplish for Jesus is never in vain. Death is not the end! Death is a defeated enemy, to be swallowed up in victory when God clothes us with immortality. All that we accomplish for the Lord will reflect His glory for eternity.
• Have you ever pondered what death will be like for you? How do you feel about it? If someone is writing a tribute for your memorial, what would be written in it? How would you like people to write the letter announcing your death?
• Express your feelings to Christ. Stay quiet to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you now.

1 Corinthians 14 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁶ Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? ⁷ If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? ⁸ And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? ⁹ So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, ¹¹ but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. ¹² So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

¹³ Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.¹⁶ Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. ¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

 

REFLECTION

• If time allows, read the whole chapter. Then read the passage for today.
• Practicing the gift of “speaking in tongues” has been a divisive issue in many churches. Paul argued that intelligible speech is to have priority in church meetings where “tongues” has limited value. And congregational participation during services is to be done orderly.
• When Christians gather we minister to each other. In prayer, praise, teaching, and sharing, God can and does use what we say to build up His church. Therefore, spiritual gifts are not given for the benefit of the possessor. The purpose of all spiritual gifts is to build up the whole Body of Christ and those the Body serves.
• What gifts do you have and what can you do to serve fellow-believers and help build up the church?

1 Corinthians 13 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Way of Love

¹ If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.² And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶ it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part,¹⁰ but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. ¹² For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

¹³ So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

REFLECTION

• Read the whole chapter a couple of times slowly.
• In this chapter, Paul not only defines love but shows us why this is the most excellent way to relate to anyone—especially to members of the family of God.
• True spirituality has nothing to do with one’s gifts, training, or performing skills. The truly spiritual person is the individual whose attitude and actions express love.
• Read this passage slowly and meditatively. Allow the words to sink in and compare each phrase to your own understanding and action of love.
• Copy verses 4-8a on a card, memorize it, or bring it out to review often. Examine your own attitude and actions often to see if there is any love expressed.

 

1 Corinthians 12 English Standard Version (ESV)

One Body with Many Members

¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

¹⁴ For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹ If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”²² On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, ²⁴ which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, ²⁵ that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

REFLECTION

• If time allows, read the whole chapter. Then read the passage for today.
• Paul used the image of the body to explain our relation to one another. We’re all parts of the body of Christ. Whoever you are or whatever your spiritual gifts are, you are “indispensable” (v22) to the others in your church, and in the Church.
• What might make some members of your church feel useless or envious of other parts of the body? According to Paul, how can you make every part of the body feel special?
• What is your reaction when some other Christian gets recognition and honour? Or when someone is suffering? Do you rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep? Or are you jealous of those who rejoice and apathetic to the weeping?