“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.’ Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’ However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, He who practices them shall live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ — in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

---End of Scripture verses---

In today’s verses, Paul quotes several verses from the old law to demonstrate that no one can be justified by that law. Deuteronomy 27:26 was quoted to show that the law only “curses” people who do not abide in “all” the things written in it (verse 10). As we’ve noted before, once you’ve broken one law in “the book of the law” you are guilty of the whole law and condemned by it (James 2:10). The law only condemns and cannot save. That’s why God had planned from eternity to send Jesus into the world as the Savior that every single person needs (Ephesians 3:11).

God has always has, and will always, save people by their obedient faith in Him, and not by a system of law-keeping (verse 11). Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4 to show that the very law the Galatians were reverting to confirmed the truth that “The righteous man shall live by faith,” and not by “the works of the Law”. Leviticus 18:5 was quoted to show that only “he who practices” the laws of God perfectly “shall live by them” eternally, if he is seeking justification by the law and not by faith in God (verse 12).

So, anyone who attempts to be saved, redeemed, justified, proclaimed righteous by keeping God’s law will only be frustrated, lost and cursed, because only by perfect law-keeping can a person achieve that goal. But “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us (verse 13). We still have to keep God’s laws and we will be condemned if we do not try. But, since we will all fall short of keeping them perfectly, we need God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness that He extends to us through faith in His Son Jesus.

“He who is hanged on a tree is accursed of God” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Jesus assumed the curse of God for us when he was crucified on Calvary’s “tree”. When He died for our sins, he “became sin for us.” “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus, who committed no sins, paid the penalty that we deserve for our own sins, so that we can live eternally by His sacrifice and blood, and by our obedient faith in Him.

It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, American, Mexican, German, Russian, Venezuelan, black, brown, tan, white, old, young, middle-aged, male, female. All that matters is that you “receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (verse 14). Then you will have “the blessings of Abraham” that are given only “in Christ Jesus” (verse 14).

Please read Galatians 3:15-18 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul had asked the question in the previous verse, “So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” (verse 5). The obvious answer is that God administered His gifts from the Holy Spirit through faith, and not through works of the Law. “Even so,” Abraham was justified by faith as well.

In verses 1-5 Paul appealed to the Galatians’ personal experience to remind them that they were justified by God’s grace through their faith, and not by the works of the Law of Moses. In today’s verses he showed them that even Abraham, the father of all the faithful (Romans 4:12, 16), was justified in the same way—when he heard God’s commands and believed and obeyed them by faith.

We must stress that this exemplary faith of Abraham was not “belief only”. Abraham believed God, AND he also obeyed the Lord at His every command. The faith that saves always requires “works of obedience” even though “works of law” can never justify a person in the sight of God.

Consider what is said in James 2:21-23: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God.”

Also consider what the Hebrew writer wrote about Abraham: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)

The fact that God told Abraham that He would bless “all the nations” though him was a proclamation of the Gospel itself (verse 8). The Good News was that “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3) would be blessed through the “seed” of Abraham (Christ – verse 16), when they believed in that “seed” and imitated Abraham’s good example of faith.

Two points of emphasis are made in this prophecy. First, “all nations” would be blessed—people from both Jewish and Gentile families. Secondly, the method would be through faith and not perfect obedience to the Law of Moses. It was because of Abraham’s faith that God “reckoned” or “accredited” righteousness to him. No matter how nice and upright someone might be, unless a person believes God’s word and exhibits obedient faith like father Abraham did, he is not considered “righteous” (in a right standing) with the Lord.

Please read Galatians 3:10-14 for tomorrow.

Blessings!

-Louie Taylor

“You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul now turns his attention from defending himself to defending the Gospel. In the first 5 verses of chapter 3 he appeals to the personal experience of the Galatians to remind them that they were justified by God’s grace through their own faith in Christ Jesus, and not by the works of the Law of Moses. Paul called his brethren “foolish” because they had nullified the grace of God in favor of a fulfilled and defunct law that could not save their souls. “For if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly” (Galatians 2:21).

It was as if someone had “bewitched” them, or placed them under a spell because, for the life of Paul, he couldn’t understand why anyone one who was thinking clearly and acting under their own volition would do such a foolish thing! Paul had focused so intently on preaching salvation through the death of Jesus Christ, it was if the crucified Savior had been held up before them to see with their own eyes. “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

But now, after having received the Holy Spirit’s gift of salvation through faith in believing His inspired revelation about Christ, they were seeking perfection through bodily procedures such as physical circumcision (Galatians 5:3-4). They were pursuing spiritual excellence through feckless, fleshly practices. They had gladly believed and received the Spirit’s appeal, and had even suffered persecution because of their faith in Christ, and now it was as if it had all been “in vain” (verse 4).

It must be so very frustrating and sickening to God when, after He draws His children out of the darkness of sin and into the light of His Son, they choose to go back to the bleak, barren, sinful, carnal world. It’s like watching a washed hog writhing in its own excrement and a sick dog eating his own vomit (2 Peter 2:20-22). To leave the excellence and security of Christ for the passing, paltry pleasures of sin is the height of foolishness!

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-8)

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14).

Please read Galatians 3:6-9 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul is still addressing the hypocrisy of Peter and his other Jewish brethren in Galatia who stopped eating with Gentile Christians when certain men from “the party of the circumcision” paid them a visit (verses 11-14). The fact that Paul’s brethren who were “Jews by nature” turned to Christ for salvation was ample proof that they knew they could not be justified by the Law of Moses (verses 15-16). God had shown Peter that all the dietary restrictions associated with the Law of Moses had been abolished as well, along with all the prejudices that the nation of Israel had attached to them.
The Holy Spirit had made it clear to Peter that he could go in to the Gentiles and freely associate with them (Acts 10:20; 11:1-18). If it was actually sinful for Peter to eat with Gentiles after God told him that it was not, then Christ had become “a minister of sin” (verse 18). But of course, this was not the case. The problem was that many of the Jewish Christians had a hard time letting go of the Law and their national prejudices. They were either holding on to it, or trying to “rebuild” it in certain situations (verse 18).

Peter was a hypocrite because he “rebuilt” what he once had “destroyed”. This made him guilty as a sinner either way he went. If it was right for him to abide by the Law of Moses, then he never should have “destroyed” it in the first place. If it was wrong to go back to that Law, then he was “rebuilding” something that was better left in the annals of history. There’s really nowhere to turn when we get caught up in the sin of hypocrisy. You simply can’t play both sides of an issue and come out looking good to the people on either side of that issue, or to God in heaven. God wants us to be “all in” with Christ and totally committed to the way of truth and righteousness.

“For through the Law I died to the Law” (verse 19). I can think of at least two ways that this is true. First of all, once you violate the law, you are condemned by it and therefore “dead” spiritually speaking (Romans 7:9-10). Law does not save but only condemns. Secondly, the Law of Moses itself foretold that there would come a time when God would make a new covenant with His people (Jeremiah 31:31-34). When the heavenly Father sent Jesus into the world to die for the sins of the world and establish this new covenant, the Law was effectively “completed” and “ended” (Romans 10:4).

Since Christ gave His life to accomplish for us what the law could never possibly do, we should give our lives completely TO Him and live our lives solely FOR Him. Have you been crucified with Christ so that you may live through Him (verse 20)? You do that through the waters of baptism, when you make the determination to turn from your sins and bury that old person of sin in that watery grave (Romans 6:3-6). Only then can you truly “arise” to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4

Christ gave himself up for us (verse 20)! We need to give ourselves up for Him!

Please read Galatians 3:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’”

---End of Scripture verses---

Well it turns out that the Apostle Peter was not infallible after all. He allowed “peer pressure” to compel him to do something that he knew was not right. Peter knew that Jewish dietary restrictions were no longer in force in God’s covenant with mankind through Christ Jesus because the Lord had made that clear to him (Acts 10:16). God had also made it obvious to Peter that it was okay for Jews to eat with Gentiles (Acts 11:3). All foolish human prejudices are broken down by Christ Jesus. The Lord died for all people of all nationalities and societal classes (Matthew 28:19; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

While Peter was working among the brethren in the church at Antioch, some influential Jewish Christians came down from Jerusalem and saw Peter living and eating LIKE the Gentiles, and eating WITH the Gentiles. Instead of standing up for the truth and defending the equality of his Gentile Christian brethren, Peter buckled under the pressure and prejudices of his Jewish cronies and played the hypocrite. And, before we get too quick to judge Peter and come down too hard on him, please notice that the pressure to conform was so great that even Barnabas, the son of encouragement, was “carried away by their hypocrisy”!

Think about that imagery for a moment. Pressure from “the crowd” is depicted here as a “flash flood” that can pick us up and carry us away into a river of sin and hypocrisy. If we think that we are immune to such coercion and hypocrisy, think again. An inspired Apostle of Jesus Christ sinned openly and publicly because of peer pressure! And Barnabas, one of the most godly men to ever walk the face of the earth, caved into it as well! Beware evil influences! They corrupt good morals!

Paul’s point in bringing that unfortunate and embarrassing incident up was not to smear the names of Peter and Barnabas. Paul was still defending the legitimacy of his apostleship and the genuineness of his gospel. Paul had dedicated his life to teaching the Good News that Christ Jesus died for all people to unite them into one, undivided body. When he “opposed Peter to his face” for not living according to the gospel that he preached, he validated both his own teaching and his own authority as an Apostle. Even though Peter’s response in not recorded, the implication is that he acknowledged his error and made the necessary correction.

Please read Galatians 2:15-21 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) — well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Paul was not disparaging Peter, John and James (the Lord’s brother) with his comments in today’s verses, but defending his position and authority as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul said that it made “no difference” to him that they “were of high reputation” and they “were reputed to be pillars”; and he only said this because it obviously made a huge difference to the false teachers in Galatia.

Those “Judaizers” took the fact that Paul had not been a personal companion of Jesus as James and the other Apostles had been, and tried to use it against him. They wanted to make Paul appear to be inferior to the prominent Jerusalem leaders in the eyes of the Galatian brethren. Paul implied that Peter, John and James acknowledged the authenticity of his teaching, and the legitimacy and equality of his apostleship, when they extended “the right hand of fellowship” to him (verse 9).

While there was no difference in their authority and teaching, there WAS recognized a general difference in their sphere’s of operation and influence. Paul preached, mainly but not exclusively, to the Gentiles. Peter’s influence extended, mainly but not exclusively, to the Jewish communities. Some people in the religious world use this and other passages to teach that there was a difference in the substance and a limitation of the outreach of Peter’s and Paul’s gospel. But that would fly right in the face of what the book of Galatians and the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15 clearly teaches us.

There is only one Gospel (Galatians 1:8-9)! Even if an angel from heaven were to teach a different gospel he would be accursed by God and should be rejected by humanity! Both Jews and Gentiles are saved in the exact same ways (Acts 15:9). All people are saved by God’s grace through obedient faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8). That does not preclude the fact that Jewish and Gentile converts come from different backgrounds and need to be approached with the truth from different directions. But the differences were only in techniques and customs and knowledge base.

We must remember that Peter taught the Gospel to the Gentiles assembled in Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:23-48), and Paul’s custom was to preach in the Jewish synagogues before he taught the Gentiles whenever he entered into a new city (Acts 13:14; 14:1; 17:1; 18:4; 19:8). There is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles in the eyes of God, there was none to Peter and Paul, and there should be no difference with us as well. All people are equally important and all need the ONE Gospel of Jesus Christ to save their immortal souls!

Please read Galatians 2:11-14 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

In today’s reading I believe Paul is adding more detail to what took place at the “Jerusalem Conference” that is recorded in Acts 15:1-35. In that text it was settled once and for all that a person did not need to be circumcised or keep any part of the Law of Moses in order to be a Christian. Paul points out in his letter to the Galatians that this meeting was actually God’s doing—that he “went up” to Jerusalem “because of a revelation” (verse 2). God put this issue to rest once and for all. Even though the matter had already been settled in heaven, there was enough question and disturbance surrounding it that the conclusion needed to be decreed by apostolic authority.

The “false brethren” who were secretly brought in (verse 4), were “some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed.” They said, referring to Gentile converts, that ‘It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses’” (Acts 15:5). Titus was taken with Paul and Barnabas as a “test case”. It was determined that he did not need to be circumcised as a matter of custom or command (verse 3). The “liberty” that the false brethren had “spied out” was a Christian’s freedom from keeping a defunct law that only served to place them in “bondage” (verse 5).

The Apostle Peter stood up in the private meeting of Apostles and leaders in that conference in Jerusalem and put it this way: “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." (Acts 15:10-11) Both Jews and Gentiles were and are saved in the same way—by God’s grace and not adherence to a law that was too cumbersome to keep, and that only condemned and did not save. Once you break the Law of Moses you are condemned by it, no matter how many “good works” you perform in an attempt to try and reverse the condemnation.

The reason why Paul brings this meeting up in his epistle to the Galatians is twofold. Firstly, he made mention that he “submitted to them the gospel” which he preached (verse 1), and it was not challenged by the other Apostles gathered in that meeting. Paul is still defending the legitimacy of his apostleship and the authenticity of “his” gospel. Secondly, the results of bringing Titus with him and the determination that he did not need to be circumcised, also worked in Paul’s favor. The false teachers that Paul was defending himself against in Galatia were the same types of “Judaizers” that were thwarted in the Jerusalem Counsel. Win. Win.

Please read Galatians 2:6-10 for tomorrow.

Happy Lord's Day!

-Louie Taylor

“Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, 'He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.' And they were glorifying God because of me.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Imagine that the best player in the nation plays on the sports team that beats your favorite team on a regular basis. Then imagine him leaving the “enemy” and joining your team. Or imagine you are a member of Saul’s army, and you witness Goliath having a “spiritual awakening” and joining forces with Israel to fight against the Philistines. There would be much rejoicing on your side!

Christianity’s greatest enemy, one fully committed to and furiously focused on utterly destroying the church of Jesus Christ, is now fighting with all his strength to defend and advance the cause of Christ (verse 23)! You can understand why the Christians in Judea “were glorifying God because of” Paul (verse 24)! Even though they had only heard this and not seen it with their own eyes. Even though they were still a bit apprehensive of having Paul walking in their midst (Acts 9:26).

Paul is still defending his credibility as an “independent” apostle here, and the authenticity of his inspiration, and he will continue to do so in the next chapter as well. He wrote that he finally got the chance to make the acquaintance of Peter (Cephas) and James (the brother of Jesus), three years after his conversion to Christ. He had already been preaching the Gospel for three full years before he had even met any of the “Original Twelve”.

Paul was not actually calling James an apostle in the same sense that Peter was. James, the Lord’s brother, was a prominent leader in the church at Jerusalem and "one sent forth" to proclaim the Truth, although he was not one of the Lord's special, inspired, authorized ambassadors. But the main point is that Paul did not require the endorsement or instruction of prominent men such as Peter and James to carry out the Lord’s work that Jesus himself had commissioned him to do.

Paul was a “chosen vessel”, hand-selected by the Lord, to effectively serve His purposes. This has to be one of the great “surprise stories” in all the Bible. All good things are possible with the Lord. The conversion of Paul teaches us that we should never give up on anybody. If God can turn and use a man like Paul, who demonstrated himself to be “the foremost” of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), His word and will can potentially touch anyone!

Please read Galatians 2:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.”

---End of Scripture verses---

The Gospel that Paul preached, and the entire Bible for that matter, is not “according” to man (verse 11), and not “from” man (verse 12). Paul did not receive the Gospel that he preached “from” another human being. He was not taught the truth by Peter or John or any of the other inspired apostles. Paul was not with the original “Twelve” when they received “power from on high” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4), and were miraculously inspired by the Holy Spirit to know and speak “all the truth” (John 16:13). But, he received his complete, inspired knowledge of “all the truth” miraculously “through a revelation of Jesus Christ” himself (verse 12). On the idea that the Gospel is not “according” to man, Mike Willis wrote the following in his commentary:

“The idea is that the gospel is not according to the will or after the manner or thought of a man. The gospel runs contrary to everything which man could ever imagine. Who would have thought of devising a plan whereby man would receive eternal life through a dying Savior? The gospel is contrary to things which characterize human style; it is divine in its content, form, and quality. Elsewhere Paul stated the same truth by saying, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him’ (1 Cor. 2:9). Man could never have devised or invented the gospel because it is so contrary to man’s manner of thinking. Hence, the gospel which Paul preached could not have been a mere human invention because it is not according to man.” (page 23 of Gospel of Truth Foundation commentary on Galatians)

Paul, defending the legitimacy of his apostleship and inspiration, gave evidence that the Gospel he preached was of divine and not human origin. He reminded them of what the Galatians had already heard and known to be true about him. How that his life’s goal and mission was to obliterate the church of Jesus Christ prior to the time that Lord blinded him on the road to Damascus and turned his life around (Acts 9:1-19). He said that he used to persecute Christ’s church “beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (verse 13). But, when God called Paul and subsequently revealed His will to him (verses 15-16), he did not go to Jerusalem to consult with and learn from the “original” Apostles (verse 17). There were other reasons for this, but the main point Paul is making in these verses is that he didn’t NEED to. Paul went straight into Arabia and back to Damascus with the Gospel that Jesus had revealed directly to him and preached it “among the Gentiles” (verse 16).

I am so thankful for the wonderful Christians who played such an important part in teaching me the truth and turning me in the direction of the Lord. I would hate to think how my life would have turned out without their help. But, it is comforting to know that the Bible is readily accessible and understandable to mankind today. As with Paul, God’s revelation is available to us, and we don’t have to (and we shouldn’t) wait around for other people to show us the truth. While no one today will receive a “direct revelation” like Paul did; “all the truth” that we need to know to be saved and stay saved, has been recorded and preserved for us, in the pages of the Bible. On Judgment Day, no one will be able to make the excuse that they didn’t and couldn’t know the truth!

Please read Galatians 1:18-24 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Anyone who would “distort” or “pervert” the Gospel of Jesus Christ in any way, actually change it to a “different gospel” (verses 7-8). You cannot alter the truth. You cannot change the gospel in any way without distorting it and creating a perversion of it. Even if an angel from heaven encouraged us to do this, it would not be acceptable and it would incur God’s displeasure (verses 8-9). When we alter the word of God and teach others to do the same, we are accursed by God. An “accursed” thing is “something delivered up to divine wrath, dedicated to destruction and brought under a curse”. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)

There were some teachers in Galatia who perverted the gospel by trying to combine it with parts of the Law of Moses. Some insisted that a Christian had to be circumcised in order to be saved (Galatians 5:1-6), and required the observance of Jewish holy days (Galatians 4:9-11). If any addition were acceptable it would certainly have been aspects of the Old Testament because that is actually the inspired revelation of God. But, God has enacted a New Covenant with mankind through Jesus Christ which has superseded and replaced God’s former covenant with Israel (Romans 10:4; Hebrews 10:9). Anyone who appeals to the Old Testament as the authority source for their religious practices functions outside the realm of God’s approved standard (the New Testament) and is accursed.

We are repeatedly warned in the Bible to not ADD TO or SUBTRACT FROM the word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:19). Either one of these actions is a perversion of the gospel. Only the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is accepted by and pleasing to God.

Examples of adding to the word of God: Priests in a church. Worshiping Mary. Church raffles to raise money. Women preachers. Homosexual “pastors”. Worshiping God with manmade instruments of music. Taking the Lord’s Supper on Saturday. Most of these are not merely additions, but actually direct violations against God’s clear truth.

Examples of taking away from God’s word: Only teaching the positive and not the negative aspects of the Bible. Refusing to exercise “church discipline” on an erring Christian. Refusing to assemble with God’s people on the first day of the week. Teaching that baptism is not essential for salvation.

To say that we are not bound by the authority of the Old Testament is not taking away from the word of God. Yes, the Old Testament is a very important part of the Bible. But it has been relegated by God Himself to the status of a “teaching tool”. “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). We can learn about God and His nature, and that He demands obedience and righteousness from His people, no matter what covenant they may have lived under. But, we are not bound to the “religious ordinances” of the Old Testament, such as animal sacrifices, attending temple feasts, burning incense, etc.

To practice those things would be to depart from the gospel, be severed from Christ and fall from God’s grace (Galatians 5:4).

Please read Galatians 1:11-17 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Just a brief introductory from the Apostle Paul before we get into the meat of the epistle. At the start we can see that he is a bit on the defensive, feeling the need to stress his credentials as a legitimate Apostle, hand-selected by Jesus Christ himself. Paul defends his apostleship quite a bit in this letter because of the false teachers that had come into the region discrediting Paul and slandering his reputation. Unlike these “wolves” who only wielded human authority while peddling their damnable doctrines, Paul was an authorized and inspired ambassador who preached the Truth “through Jesus Christ and God the Father.”

Paul prayed “grace and peace” for the brethren, even though many of them had begun to behave ungraciously and hostilely toward him. Grace is undeserved favor and peace is a harmonious relationship with God. Grace and peace can only be found through faith and obedience to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Lord. Peace here is not merely a feeling of “serenity” but a condition and position of “friendship” with God through the blood of His Son, which appeased God’s wrath and quelled the hostility that our sins produced (Romans 5:1-8; Colossians 1:20). With this condition of peace restored, we can enjoy the peace (serenity) that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is through God’s grace that His children receive His peace.

Jesus “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us…” (verse 4). Sin is such a huge deal and such a destructive force! Most people hardly even use the word anymore and even acknowledge its existence in their lives. But we all sin. And sin will kill us. For eternity. If we are not rescued from it. We all need Jesus! We need to accept God’s grace by believing in His Son and obeying from the heart every command of the Gospel. We will not be perfect in our obedience and God does not expect us to. But when we’ve been baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, God is faithful to forgive us if we confess our sins (1 John 1:1-9), and repent of them in godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

Okay, maybe there was a bit of meat there after all!

Please read Galatians 1:6-10 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

I will be quoting the introductory remarks from the Guardian of Truth Foundation Commentary on Galatians written by Mike Willis to introduce this letter to the group today.

“The book of Galatians is rightly called the ‘Magna Carta of Christians Liberty.’ Few books have made such a lasting impression upon men’s minds as has the epistle of Paul to the Galatians. This book maintains that man is justified by grace through faith separate and apart from the works of the Mosaical Law. Consequently, Galatians had a tremendous influence on first century Christianity. At first men viewed Christians as another sect of the Jews, somewhat similar to the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and Zealots; but the impact of the revelation that man is justified through Jesus Christ without circumcision and obedience to the Law of Moses gradually modified this perception of Christianity. Preaching this gospel to Gentiles and Jews alike signaled the major turning point, and Christianity eventually became a world religion separate from Judaism. Thus, Paul’s letter to the Galatians contributed tremendously to the early development of Christianity by helping to establish the concept of justification through faith in Jesus Christ apart from the Law of Moses.

“Martin Luther found the book of Galatians to be useful during his battles with Roman Catholicism. He loved the epistle and referred to it affectionately as his ‘Katie,’ as if he were wedded to it. Luther used Galatians to show that man cannot earn his way to heaven. Hence, he concluded that the Catholic doctrine of accumulation of merit through good works was false to the core. The book became a cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation.

“The message of Galatians is eternal. Men still need to be taught that justification occurs through the precious blood of Jesus Christ rather than through perfect obedience to the Mosaical Law or any other legal system. Men still need to understand the implications of reverting to the Mosaical Law for authority in religious matters, whether that item be circumcision, the observance of religious holy days, the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, a separate priesthood, tithing, or whatever. Hence, the impact of this small book continues to the present. Galatians is as pertinent to the twentieth century as it was to the first.”

---End of commentary quotation---

Please keep in mind that any reference to what took place during the “Protestant Reformation” does not imply that I or the author of the commentary endorse or follow all the principles or teaching that resulted from it. I certainly do not consider myself to be a Protestant. My religion is not a “protest” against anything but worldliness and false doctrine. I am a Christian and only a Christian. And, while a “reformation” may have been a good start at taking corrective action against religious error, I believe that nothing short of a “restoration” of “the church” back to the original teaching, beliefs and practices of the New Testament is pleasing and acceptable to God.

I will also add that this letter, unlike many others written by Paul to a specific person or congregation, was written to an entire region of Asia Minor. It is disputed which region of Galatia that Paul specifically wrote this letter to. Some think it was the lesser known northern region, and others believe it was written to the southern region. This southern region would have included churches in cities that we know Paul had a pivotal role in the establishment of on his first preaching journey. Cities such as Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. I personally believe it was written to the southern region of Galatia, but in the end it really doesn’t matter because a person’s view of the original recipients doesn’t change or affect a good understanding of the text.

Please read Galatians 1:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day! 

-Louie Taylor

“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

A lovely way to end a difficult letter. The final exhortations read like a prayer.

Rejoice in the Lord! There are so many reasons to be filled with joy when you belong to Jesus Christ.

Be made complete. Don’t be satisfied with your level of spirituality and faithfulness. Strive for growth.

Be comforted. The God of all comfort will see you through the roughest of times.

Be like-minded. All of God’s children are in this together. We need one another and we need to stand for the truth, equally together.

God and His love and peace be with you.

Be affectionate to one another. I’ll take a firm handshake or warm hug over a holy kiss though!

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you.

Lord willing we will have some introductory remarks on Paul’s letter to the Galatians for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Three statements really stand out in today’s reading:

1) “We pray to God that you do no wrong” (verse 7). Paul wanted his brothers and sisters to “do what is right”, no matter what others may have thought about him personally. He repeatedly defended himself in this letter because people were attacking his credibility and authority. But his main concern was that his fellow Christians choose to walk the paths of righteousness and do what was right in the sight of the Lord.

I have personally tried to help people straighten out their lives, and have lost their friendship in the process. Sometimes when you interfere in people’s personal affairs, even with godly motives, it makes them offended and resentful towards you. But, if in the end they actually do turn their lives around, that is all that really matters. It is a blessing if you help people to do the right things, even if they do so without your companionship.

2) “This we also pray for, that you be made complete” (verse 9). The word “complete” means “to render fit” and was used in Matthew 4:21 for mending damaged fishing nets. It can carry the idea of mending, perfecting (or maturing), or restoring. The brethren in Corinth obviously needed all three of these things. “Doing the right thing” is only a part of God’s will for His people. He wants Christians to have mended lives, reach for spiritual maturity and strive for spiritual perfection.

3) “We can do nothing against the truth” (verse 8). The truth is always the truth, no matter what we may choose to think or how we may decide to live our lives. If the Bible says that something is sinful, it is sinful. It doesn’t matter what our friends may say, or what agenda the media may be pushing. It doesn’t even matter how our conscience directs us. We will all be judged by God’s word of truth. Please don’t tussle against the truth. That’s a fight that just cannot be won.

Please read 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 for tomorrow and prepare to delve into Paul’s letter to the Galatians after that.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

-Louie Taylor

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

This is a test! Quite often tests need to be performed in order to make certain that equipment is running properly. There are tests to be sure that people have been properly prepared for extraordinary situations. We have fire drills and tornado drills in order to train us to know what to do in case of an emergency. But these drills are also tests to see how well we would do in case of an actual emergency.

As Christians, we need to do periodic, personal examinations of ourselves to make certain that we are truly abiding in “the faith” of Jesus Christ. To see if we are truly preparing ourselves for eternity. For Judgment Day. We need to compare the ways that we think and the things that we believe, say and do against what the Bible says is right (1 John 4:1). And then make the necessary corrections.

That means that we have to actually “study” the Bible just to accomplish accurate internal evaluations of our spiritual status. And we have to “study” if we want to have any hope of “passing” our periodic tests and the ultimate test when we stand before God to be judged.

Paul says that these tests are to determine two things: 1) “If you are in the faith.” 2) “That Christ is in you.” Are you obeying the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9), and is it obvious to people that you are because they can see Christ living in you (Galatians 2:20)? “Do not fail the test” (verse 6)!

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Please read 2 Corinthians 13:7-10 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES. I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

After a lot of talking and pleading and warning, there comes a time for corrective action. The Apostle Paul was planning to visit the Corinthian church shortly after the writing of this letter. He was giving them ample opportunity to address and correct their issues, and sufficient time for sinners to repent. He was a meek and patient person, but he was also an inspired Apostle of Jesus Christ. He planned to demonstrate his authority when he arrived in order to remove any doubt from the minds of the brethren who questioned his divinely appointed position.

Paul quoted Deuteronomy 19:15 when he wrote, “Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” But it seems to me that he had the Lord’s instruction in mind to establish the facts by two or three witnesses when encouraging an erring brother to repent and before administering “church discipline” (Matthew 18:15-18). Paul would not deviate from the proper process that Jesus himself authorized. Even though Paul was not a part of the “Original Twelve” when Christ issued this directive, he still received his revelation and authority directly from the Lord (Galatians 1:1).

Appearances and perceptions can be misleading. Paul’s “earthen vessel” was week, but the “surpassing greatness of the power” of the Gospel and Paul’s authority were “of God” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Paul reminded them of the false perception of Christ’s weakness by those who killed Him. As He hung on the cross, seemingly helpless and powerless, people mocked and ridiculed Him. But when He triumphantly arose from the grave, He demonstrated that He was undoubtedly “the Son of God with power” (Romans 1:4). Paul told the Corinthians that the same “power of God” had been, and would be directed toward them.

Friends, don’t be fooled by the kindness and patience of God. Don’t confuse His longsuffering with tolerance and indifference. Soon the full power of God will be revealed from heaven against all the people who refuse to acknowledge God as their Sovereign and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:8). To repeat the first sentence of today’s commentary: After a lot of talking and pleading and warning, there comes a time for corrective action. God’s patience will eventually run out and He will punish us for the sin that we refuse to turn loose of.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

Please read 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Everything that Paul had to say in his own defense really had nothing to do with himself. It had everything to do with God and His will for them. It had everything to do with strengthening the brethren spiritually. Paul was not interested in standing up for himself, but the building up of his brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is very hurtful and disappointing when we sometimes have to defend ourselves and explain our motives to the people we love the most and are trying to help and protect. But when they are determined to do the wrong things, they will feel the need to distance themselves from the ones who want the best for them, as a defense mechanism. Just remember. Their immortal souls are worth grieving over and fighting for just the same. Even if we have to endure the pain of abuse and rejection.

Paul mourned over the sins that his fellow Christians had gotten involved in and refused to turn from (verse 21). Sinfulness is a terrible situation that causes sorrow, pain and isolation. But more importantly, sin will cause people, even Christians once washed in the blood of Christ, to be lost for eternity. Friends, if that can’t make you mourn, I don’t know if anything can.

If you are caught up in some sin, please repent of it before it is too late. Life on earth is too short, and eternity too long. Don’t let any earthly treasure or pleasure or addiction keep you out of heaven.

Please read 2 Corinthians 13:1-4 for tomorrow.

Have a great day…

-Louie Taylor

“Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?”

---End of Scripture Verses---

“I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls” (verse 15). Paul wore himself completely out serving and saving people’s immortal souls. How much energy do we expend on the important spiritual matters of life? I know many of us “burn the candle at both ends” trying to keep pace in the rat race of everyday, physical existence. Sometimes, and far too often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by life and running in “survival mode” with our jobs, families, education, housework, etc.

Let’s try to be more intentional with our spiritual pursuits. “Pencil in” a definite amount of time on the calendar each day to nourish your soul and/or to reach out to a struggling, fellow, immortal soul. If that means sacrificing an extra 15-20 minutes of sleep each day, so be it. If our whole life is devoted to “gaining the world” we will lose our souls in the process (Mark 8:36).

Please read 2 Corinthians 12:19-21 for tomorrow.

Blessings!

-Louie Taylor

“I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!”

---End of Scripture Verses---

The “thorn in the flesh” that Paul received to keep him from exalting himself worked really well (verse 7). In spite of all of his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ and all of his accomplishments in his service to Christ, he still understood that he was “a nobody” (verse 11). That is humility at its finest. No matter how wonderful and superb other people may consider us to be, we must be careful to be little in our own eyes (1 Samuel 15:17).

Paul was dealing with just the opposite reaction though. His brethren were looking down on him when they really SHOULD have loved him and esteemed him highly because of his excellent faith and work. But even though they treated him as inferior, he did not return the mistreatment to them (verse 13). He still loved and served and respected them with all of his heart. Another sign of humility as well as maturity in the faith.

When we think we are really something, we are actually nothing in comparison to the Lord above! When others think we are a nobody, we are really something in the eyes of our Father in heaven! Perspective, perspective, perspective!

Please read 2 Corinthians 12:14-18 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

The Lord “lifted Paul up” during his time of doubt and fear, but then He brought him back “down to earth” for his own good. Paul had been allowed to see and hear things that were just too marvelous to describe when he was “caught up into third heaven” (verse 2). But, there is a grave danger when a person is riding high on a mountain of glory that he will begin to glorify himself instead of the Lord. Beware of “mountain top moments”! When you get so high there is only one way to go!

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,” Paul was given “a thorn in the flesh” to keep him from “exalting” himself (verse 7). The Lord lifts us up when we are in most need of a boost, but we usually do not thank God for humbling us with the “thorns” that are designed to give us perspective and keep us on an even keel. Paul makes it clear that his “thorn in the flesh” (whatever that was) originated from Satan (verse 7). But God permitted that moment of “weakness” in order to show him where his true strength resided.

“My grace is sufficient for you” (verse 9). Sometimes God says “No” to our most earnest and ardent prayers for relief to demonstrate His grace to us (verse 8)! That sounds like a bit of a contradiction, but God has never promised to take away all of the storms and thorns of life. He does, however, promise us the grace and strength to endure them, and that He will carry us through the most difficult challenges of life, if we will only remain faithful to Him.

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Whose strength are you relying upon? Your own or the Lord’s?

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD. For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.’” (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

Please read 2 Corinthians 12:11-13 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows — was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

So very much is revealed to us in this amazing passage of Scripture, even though Paul was not “permitted to speak” about the specific details of his “heavenly visit” (verse 4). I will start by saying that Paul is talking about himself in the third person when he said he knew a man “in Christ”. The only way to be saved eternally is to be a Christian, and the only way to be a Christian is to be “in Christ”.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “All spiritual blessings” are “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Access “into Christ” is through the waters of baptism. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

For some reason God honored Paul by showing him some “visions and revelations” (verse 1) that very few human beings have been privileged enough to witness or hear. The occasion and reason for this are not revealed. Maybe God did this to encourage the Apostle during a very challenging time in his life.

The Lord “transported” Paul into “third heaven” and “Paradise” (verses 3-4). Paul could have experienced this marvel in three different ways. He could have been shown a vision, he may have been bodily “caught up”, or his spirit may have been separated from his body for a brief time. But Paul said, “whether in the body or apart from the body, I do not know” (verses 2-3).

We also learn from this passage that there are three heavens, but the Bible teaches us this in different ways and places as well. The first heaven is contained within earth’s atmosphere where the birds fly and the clouds “float” (Genesis 1:20). The second heaven is the “outer space” where the “heavenly bodies” or stars and planets “dwell” (Genesis 22:17). The third heaven is where God dwells. It seems evident from Paul’s description in today’s verses that Paradise is located in the third heaven.

Paul wasn’t sure if he had had an “out of body experience” or not, but he knew that was within the realm of possibility. This statement is proof that the “soul” or “spirit” has a life of its own apart from the human body. When we die and our fleshly bodies are laid in the grave (or whatever may happen to them), our spirits will live on in the spiritual realm.

Last point for today is that you cannot believe anything that a “medium” or “spiritualist” says when they claim to communicate with the departed spirits of the deceased. Paul made an actual visit to the spirit world and he said that he was “not permitted to speak” about the “inexpressible words” that he heard (verse 4).

The only way that we can learn anything about “the other side,” about “life beyond the grave” is by reading our Bibles. The only way that we can garner information about salvation and the spiritual world and heaven above is by accessing the revelation that God has left for us in His perfect word.

Please read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

-Louie Taylor

“Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Paul is continuing to defend himself and his credibility to the brethren in Corinth. It should have been obvious to them that Paul truly loved them and the Lord because of all that he was willing to give up for them, and all he was willing to endure in order to serve them.

When Paul had preached the Gospel in the city of Damascus shortly after his conversion, “the Jews plotted together to do away with him” (Acts 9:23). They obviously secured the assistance of a government official to carry out their murderous plot (verse 32).

After he escaped their hands, he continued to travel and preach and teach the truth to all creation, even as far as the city of Corinth. If he didn’t have an intense conviction for the Gospel and a strong love for both God and man, he would have fled to a remote part of the world and hid out in isolation and obscurity.

But, even if no one else believed and understood the truth of the matter, “The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, He who is blessed forever,” He knew that Paul wasn’t lying (verse 31). God knows. Those can be two of the most comforting words of all time, or they can be the most frightening.

If we ever feel like no one understands us or that no one knows the truth about our honesty and integrity; please do not fret. God knows, and ultimately He is the only one that needs to! Conversely, if we think that we can secretly behave sinfully with impunity, God knows that too, even if no one else in the whole world sees a thing!

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Please read 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

“But in whatever respect anyone else is bold — I speak in foolishness — I am just as bold myself. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? — I speak as if insane — I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?”

---End of Scripture Verses---

That Apostle Paul had a lot to BRAG about, and a lot to COMPLAIN about. And yet the only times he mentioned any specifics was when he felt the need to defend himself against fools who were trying to discredit him and ruin his positive influence for Christ. Paul’s ancestry and upbringing placed him at the top of the food chain in Jewish society, and yet he eagerly cast it all aside in order to follow Christ and serve Him to the fullest. Consider what he wrote in Phil 3:4-8:

“If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”

And what did giving those physical privileges up to follow Christ provide for him physically? Beatings, stoning, shipwreck, long journeys, dangers of all kinds, hardship, cold, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, pressures and concerns. Paul was not complaining at all about this long list of afflictions. He willingly accepted them because he knew that the glory of the spiritual blessings received from serving Christ greatly surpassed any pain that physical hardship could produce.

He wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” Again, in Philippians 3:13-14: “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

If you are a Christian, press on and keep your eyes on the prize! If you are not, get in the race before it is too late!

Please read 2 Corinthians 11:29-33 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

“Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Several years ago I witnessed a case of “domestic violence” in a bowling alley parking lot. A very large man was hitting a woman (not sure if it was his wife or girlfriend) repeatedly in the face as she was screaming and crying in pain. Out of nowhere, a “knight in shining armor” ran to the rescue and gave the abuser a karate kick in the chest, momentarily bewildering the attacker. But within seconds, the “hero” was back-peddling as fast as he could as both the abuser and his victim were chasing him down meaning to do him harm because he dared to do this good deed.

That incident happened 25 plus years ago, and yet I can still see it very vividly in my mind’s eye. I learned a painful lesson that day about abuse. No matter how agonizing or frequently it may take place, many victims of ill-treatment will defend and protect their abusers when someone tries to intervene and help. I know there is a psychological aspect to this, and I sympathize with anyone who is trapped between the confining bars of love and torment. My heart breaks for victims of abuse and all the physical and psychological torture that they go through.

But, when it comes to spiritual matters, there is just too much at stake to stay shackled to those who cause damage to our souls. The brethren in Corinth “tolerated” the false teachers who “enslaved” and “devoured” and “took advantage” of them for personal gain (verse 20). Paul only wanted to help them heal spiritually and go to heaven for eternity. And yet many of them rejected their “champion” (Paul), and their Savior (Jesus), in favor of tyrants and taskmasters.

Is your commitment to a loved one keeping you from obeying the truth and truly following the Lord? Maybe your affection for a beloved parent or grandparent is keeping you tied to the manmade denomination that they devoted their lives to. I know that they would never intentionally hurt you or lead you astray, but if they are or were caught up in false religion, your soul’s salvation is much more important than your feelings for them and the allegiance that you think you owe them. Nothing and no one is worth giving up heaven for!

Jesus said in Matthew 10:37-39: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” Please don’t let your love or sense of obligation to any human being keep you from obeying Jesus from the heart, and serving and worshiping God in Spirit and Truth.

Please read 2 Corinthians 11:21-28 for tomorrow.

Blessings!

- Louie Taylor

“But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Satan does not appear in the form of a “red devil” with horns and a pitchfork. Even as he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking people to devour (1 Peter 5:8), he does so without bearing his teeth or his fangs. In the city of Corinth, he worked through the agency of false teachers who put on the appearance of goodwill and piety. We have every reason to believe that he utilizes the same methods in our world today, since they have proven to be so successful for him throughout history, even from the very beginni

ng.

In the Garden of Eden, Satan first approached humankind through the intervention of a slick-talking serpent, promising Adam and Eve knowledge and life, but delivering corruption and death. In first century Corinth, he deceived God’s people with “false apostles” who tainted and perverted the simple truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 21st century America, Satan despoils God’s pure truth and authorized worship by sweet, smiling preachers, “praise teams,” and myriad other “ministries” and programs designed to entertain people and make them feel good about themselves.

Don’t get me wrong, the devil uses ugly and destructive tools like drugs, alcohol, pornography, crime, violence, etc., to wreak havoc on people’s lives and our society at large. But his most insidious means of destroying people for eternity is when he “disguises himself as an angel of light” (verse 14), and deceives people into believing lies by tainting the holy word and worship of God.

Only the truth can set us free from our sins (John 8:31-36), and God will only receive and honor worship offered in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Please do not allow Satan and his (mostly unwitting) servants to deceive you! Study your Bible daily and “test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Please read 2 Corinthians 11:16-21 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

“For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Okay so Paul had asked permission to speak a bit foolishly (verse 1). The brethren in Corinth had tolerated so much foolishness from evil influences, surely they could bear with Paul for a moment while he used a bit of sarcasm to show them how ridiculous their attitude about him had become.

When Paul was in the city of Corinth he walked humbly among brethren (verse 7). They had since been persuaded to view his humility as weakness and inferiority. When he preached to them, he decided to do that without charge so as not to burden them or give them a reason to think he had ulterior motives. They still found a way to question his intentions.

Sometimes people mistake humility and generosity for weakness, and they will take advantage of your good nature. That’s okay. You be humble and generous anyway. That’s the way that Jesus lived His earthly life and left the perfect example for us to follow. In fact, Jesus came for the very purpose of humbling Himself in the service of human kind, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-8). Verse 5 of Philippians 2 tells us to have the mind (attitude) of Christ as well.

Paul’s only motivation for serving his brethren in Corinth and making himself very vulnerable to them was love (verse 11). “Love is patient, love is kind…love does not seek its own…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Our love for people should be enough to help us endure a broken heart if necessary.

Please read 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

- Louie Taylor

“I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Many of the brethren in Corinth were listening to the deceit of the false teachers who were working among them, much like Adam and Eve gave heed to the lies of Satan that the serpent used to persuade them to disobey God. These brethren had no problem “bearing with” the deceivers who did not have their best interests at heart, and yet they closed their hearts to the good intentions and the sound doctrine that Paul desired for them.

It amazes me how gullible people can willingly be with the predatory advances of wolves who mean to do them harm, especially when it comes to religion. When you find someone who you know you can trust to teach you the truth, even when the truth is unpleasant to hear; please don’t close your ears to their pleas and warnings in favor of those who would tickle your ears with delightful lies.

The doctrine of Christ is “simplicity and purity” at its best (verse 3). When someone tries to teach you things that are very confusing and convoluted, that’s very likely an indicator that they are not teaching the simple, pure, Truth of Christ.

The doctrine of Premillennialism is a prime example of complicated and contradictory teaching. It takes a lot of twisting and contorting of the Scripture to teach that Christ will return to set up an earthly kingdom and reign over it for a thousand years after a seven year period of Great Tribulation on earth. That is just not plainly taught in the Bible and, in fact, contradicts many things that ARE clearly taught.

Christ’s kingdom is spiritual not physical (Luke 17:21; John 3:5-8; Romans 14:17). Jesus established it when He arose from the grave and ascended into heaven (Mark 9:1: Acts 2:30-31). The kingdom of God IS the church of Christ (Mathew 16:18-19; 1 Corinthians 4:20; Colossians 1:13). When Christ returns, He will deliver the kingdom up to the Father, not establish it on earth (1 Corinthians 15:23-24).

Please to not be deceived or beguiled by cunning and craftiness! Stick to the simple Truth in all things spiritual!

Please read 2 Corinthians 11:5-11 for tomorrow!

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

“For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men's labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

We must take care to not be people who “measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves” (verse 12). When we make our own thoughts, views and judgments the standard of excellence that everyone else must measure up to, we have essentially become gods to ourselves. The comparison game is a dangerous game to play no matter how we may choose to approach it. But when we set ourselves up as the model to which no one else compares, we have reached the height of arrogance and pride.

The words that the Lord spoke to Edom in Obadiah 1:3-4 applies to everyone who has an overly lofty view of himself: “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?' ‘Though you build high like the eagle, though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,’ declares the LORD.”

The false teachers among the brethren in Corinth only compared themselves with themselves because they dared not compare their fake, corrupted, manmade doctrine with the prefect, true, God-breathed teaching of the Apostles. They knew they had to isolate themselves and their targets from the Apostle’s authority in order to take advantage of the brethren to the fullest extent. They commended themselves, but the Lord completely rejected them (verse 18). Thus the Lord rejects anyone who does not believe and teach and practice the truth that was once, for all time, taught by His chosen ambassadors, as revealed in the pages of the New Testament (Jude 1:3).

Please read 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 for tomorrow.

Please come worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ!

3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day and Father’s Day!

- Louie Taylor

“You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. For they say, 'His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.' Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

When I was a child I remember a novel that sat on the bookshelf in our living room entitled, “The Aftermath”. I was convinced that book was all mathematics, and I wanted to read it since I liked that subject in grade school. That is a literal case of “judging a book by its cover.” Paul warns us here to stop “looking at things as they are outwardly” (verse 7). Far too often, I believe, we judge people by the color of their skin, the way that they dress, and the way that they talk, instead of by who they are on the inside. It is impossible to know a stranger’s motives and intentions, but we should try to love all people and cautiously give everybody the benefit of the doubt.

There was an ungodly element among the church at Corinth that persuaded the brethren to judge Paul by his “personal appearance” and his “contemptible speech (verse 10). They failed to focus on the power of God behind Paul’s doctrine and his apostolic authority (verse 3). It is clear from the content of this epistle and the fact that he postponed his visit in order to “spare” them (2 Corinthians 1:23), that Paul wanted to be harsh in his letter so he could be gentle when he saw them face-to-face. Paul was not being hypocritical by this approach, but kind, loving and considerate. He was the same person “in word by letters” as he was “when present” (verse 11), who cared deeply about their souls, and earnestly desired their godliness, faithfulness and eternal salvation.

Please read 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

- By Louie Taylor

"Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete."

---End of Scripture---

We notice an abrupt change in tone in the last section of the letter. Paul here identifies several latent attacks very directly including: his style and substance in preaching (1Cor. 1:17; 2:1-5), his financial support (1Cor. 9), and proper judgment (1Cor. 1:10-15; 3:1-15). In chapters 10-13, he correctly defines what he has done and how none of it even resembles the charges made against him. He then exposes the false teachers who are guilty of each of the accusations. He will now boast in his genuine apostolic authority (cf. 1Cor. 4:1-5, 14, 16-21; 5:1-5; 9:1f; 14:37f; 15:8-11). Paul’s approach is directly in line with that of the day. In fact, Plutarch even writes a treatise on proper self-commendation enumerating the same basic methods Paul uses (entitled: "On Inoffensive Self-Praise").

Another aspect of his address entails exposing the blindness brought on by Corinth’s egotism (cf. 1Cor. 4:6, 18f; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4) that had allowed the insidious influence in.

Chapters 10-13 are bookended by several themes: Paul’s behavior at and away from Corinth (10:1-2; 13:10), his encroaching visit (10:2; 13:1), his apostolic authority for edification (10:8; 13:10), mention of a previous letter (10:9-11; 13:10), contrast of weakness and power (10:1-6, 10-11; 13:4, 9), and belonging to Christ (10:7; 13:5).

In 10:1, Paul drops 1st person plural pronouns now and gets very personal ("I Paul myself"). Defending his apostleship is his business, not Timothy’s (cf. 1:1). He urges and beseeches them through two chief character traits of Christ. Yet, even here, we see his love. Melvin Curry comments, “The apostle softens his tone with the Corinthians, holding back orders and commands like those which he issued in 1 Corinthians (diatasso, 7:17; 9:14; 11:34; 16:1; parangello, 7:10; 11:17).” As he makes this appeal, he hopes in humility for them to see the consequences of their actions in questioning his apostleship: “The church’s attitude toward Paul’s apostolic message will have a bearing on their relationship to Christ and that has eternal consequences.” (Gareth Reese, 238).

In verse 2, Paul indirectly states one of the opponents’ accusations (in verse 10, he will be specific!). The New American Standard rendering "ask" in verse 2 is fairly weak as the original word more properly means "beg." This highlights Paul's earnest desire to avoid exercising his full disciplinary power as an apostle but rather to persuade them in love to turn Corinth against these agents of Satan. They had come to believe that Paul and the apostles were men of the flesh rather than the spirit, a most heinous charge!

Paul continues by pointing out the difference between the corporeal temple he dwelt in and the temple of God he strived for. Paul admits that he is a fallible person like anyone else; however, he has the authority of God backing his teaching as seen in the miracles he performed (12:12). Moreover, Paul’s life in the flesh is patterned after Jesus’ (Heb. 5:7), whereas the lives of his opponents were rebellious, self-indulgent, and egotistical. For us, we must recognize that worldly standards are vain and worthless. We must see people through God’s eyes! Why? Because "we (the apostles in the original context but all of us accomodatively) do not war after the flesh". – Paul’s campaign (Greek: strateuo whence "strategy") is not a defense of his pride, but a battle for the hearts of men against the enemies of the Cross.

In verse 4, Paul continues the military metaphor as used elsewhere (Rom. 13:12; 1Cor. 9:7; 2Cor. 6:7; Eph. 6:11-17; 1Thess. 5:8; 1Tim. 1:18; 2Tim. 2:3f). However, in this instance, he focuses on siege warfare. He says "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal" (e.g. eloquence, persuasive rhetoric, force, and human achievements) but rather, his (and our) weapons were spiritually and divinely powerful (cf. Eph. 6:10-18). This is actually a metaphor used in non-inspired works as well! (Philo, Confusion of Tongues, 128-132).

They, and we, have the God-given power to destroy speculations and evil surmising. Paul's accusers and their supporters thought they knew very much (1Cor. 8:1-2), but loftiness of self-esteem could not withstand the power of the gospel (cf. Rom. 12:16). The image may continue the military imagery (e.g. Megiddo and Gamla).

"Bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" continues the imagery but focuses particularly on what God enables his soldiers to do through knowledge of Him. Every device of Satan (2:11; 3:14; 4:4; 11:3) is rendered impotent by the weapon of God’s Word!

Paul was ready to go to war although he hopes they will concede prior to his getting there (cf. 1Cor. 5:5; 1Tim. 5:20). "Disobedience" connotes stubbornness and refusal to listen to helpful instruction; obedience renders itself submissive to that same instruction. “Although he remains confident that complete reconciliation is an achievable goal at Corinth, he understands that it will only come to pass as a result of an arduous process.” (Curry, 321).

Paul's inspired words in this section help illumine us as to the spiritual battle taking place all around us. And he proclaims confidence in God's armament of Christians to withstand the evil one. Are you confident like he was? Being in Christ brings that confidence and the only way to be in Christ is to become His soldier by putting Him on in baptism (Galatians 3:26-27). We hope all will do that before it is everlastingly too late.

Please read 2 Corinthians 10:7-11 for tomorrow.

- Eric Parker

"Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

---End of Scripture---

Here we have another agricultural metaphor to illustrate the principles behind divinely-approved and divinely-pleasing giving. Paul articulates that God is Chief Benefactor to Christians and lavishly provides for our needs. Having that assurance, the Corinthians (and us!) should use their (our) multiplied resources to produce fruit in blessings for the poor. In this particular context, it seems that there are four stages in the benevolence/grace process: God’s supplying, the Corinthians’ giving, the realization of more resources and devotion to further benevolent work, and God’s reward of numerous blessings. Verse 10 seems to allude to Isaiah 55:10; Hosea 10:12; Amos 6:12. It can also be seen to convey the memorable principle of Matthew 6:33.

Verses 11-15 provide the third context for linking the themes of grace and thanksgiving (compare 1:11; 4:15; 9:8-11). Verse 11 reveals that God enriched them (and us!) unto all liberality (i.e. without ulterior motives) to help others (8:2; 9:13). Because of this overflow of liberality, thanksgivings are multiplied for abundance and for givers (cf. 4:15; 8:2, 7, 14; 9:8, 12).

Paul identifies the collection for the saints as a service (Greek: diakonia) in 8:4; 9:1, 13. In this context, Paul uses a different Greek word - leitourgia (cf. Rom. 15:27) - which has a rich secular and biblical background and usage (e.g. Philippians 2:17, 25, 30; Romans 15:16). Not only are the participants helping relieve the want of the saints in supplying what the poor need, they are also resulting in thanksgivings to God. The ultimate result of all giving should be God’s glory!

To this point, Paul has been nudging the Corinthians along. At verse 13, he presumes their faithful obedience and observes that this ministration would cause them to pass the test (cf. 2:9; 8:24). Paul pictures the response to the gift as jubilance and expresses even now that the Jewish brethren desire to verify this gift and commend the Gentile Christians for their steadfast love. In fact, when Paul and the brethren arrive, this is the exact response they receive (Acts 21:18-20). The grammatical use of the present tense participle with "glorify" indicates that the Jerusalem Christians were already rejoicing at the thought of a contribution being gathered.

This gift was a liberal distribution to all. "All" could refer to all Jewish Christians or all Christians in general. By using this general term, Paul is subtly condemning sectarianism once more (1 Corinthians 14:36). While their gift was to Christians collectively, they (and we) must remember that we are called as individuals to help EVERYONE in need, Christian or not (Galatians 6:10; Luke 10:25-37). As Gareth Reese astutely remarks in his commentary, “Paul expected the Corinthians to be personally involved in any situation where participation together in the cause of Christ was at stake. Christians are to have the same care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25, 26).”

We get a glimpse in verse 14 of the continual outpouring of praise and thanksgiving for what the Corinthians would soon perform as promised. The Jewish brethren yearned after their Corinthian brethren by their prayer. This was because of the exceeding grace of God in the Corinthians. Paul never gave up on the Corinthians and he maintains his full assurance of their ability to perfect that which they had pledged.

Verse 15 is fundamental truth undergirding and providing meaning to this entire section and to every contribution that has ever taken place in the Lord's church. God has given an indescribable gift! But what exactly is the object of the divine benevolence in this particular section? Well, there are three basic ways of understanding this verse: 1) Jesus is the gift (cf. 8:9; Romans 8:32); 2) The collection is the gift; 3) The situation of the collection is a means of solidifying the grace of God’s reconciliation amongst Gentiles and Jews is the gift of God.

So what was the end of it all? Can we know what happened at Corinth? Can we know if Paul's inspired letter was profitable or was it all an exercise in futility? Thankfully, we can and do know what their response was. Inspired (Romans 15:26) and uninspired sources (1 Clement ii.1) testify that Corinth gave in abundance just as Paul expected and just as they had promised.

So what can we learn from 2 Corinthians 8-9? We learn that God has high expectations for us and yet those high expectations are infinitely lesser than what He has yielded unto us. We learn that God enables us to give through His grace. We learn that we must give cheerfully, truthfully, and compassionately to all, but especially to the household of faith. May all of us show foresight, grace, and benevolent spirits in our giving and may God bless us in it.

We hope this study of 2 Corinthians 8-9 on giving has helped you.

Please read 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 for tomorrow!

- By Eric Parker

"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, 'He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.'"

---End of Scripture---

It is important for us to consider just how much space is devoted to this collection effort. We have here two solid chapters on some of the most practical and easily understood treatments regarding authorized worship in all of the New Testament. So, how important is our giving? VERY IMPORTANT!

In yesterday's reading, the text focuses a great deal on the background of this giving providing details on the scope of time involved in this benevolence - a year! We are also provided with Achaia's promises that provided a justified position of boasting by Paul. In verses 6-9, we transcend the historical context and deal with perhaps the most practical section of verses in these two chapters.

In verse 6 lays down an analogical agricultural principle: "he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." No doubt, Paul has Proverbs 11:24-25 and 22:8 in mind. But this principle is not just biblical, it's also recognized in ancient secular literature (Cicero, De Oratore 2.65.261; Aristotle, Rhetoric, 3.3). God provides over and above for His people and here illustrates in no uncertain terms that the gift is not just a blessing to the saints in Jerusalem but to all those who gave too. We see in this how important and blessed we are to participate in the collection that takes place on the first day of every week (1 Corinthians 16:1-4). Jesus taught this principle of eternal and more substantive reward for our acts of charity during His ministry (Matt. 25:34-40; Mark 10:30; Luke 6:38; compare 2Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:23-25). From Paul’s letter, Corinth will clearly see the abundant blessings they would reap if they gave (9:8-10, 12a, 12b-14).

In verse 7, we read one of the most cited verses during the giving in our worship: "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Paul does not use a verb in the first part of this sentence to emphasize that the performance of giving is not what matters, but rather the emphasis is on God’s love to cheerful givers. Each person must manifest a prior resolve before giving. Moreover, giving must not be done grudgingly (i.e. out of sadness, reluctance, or regret) or of necessity (i.e. out of a sense of duty to peers or to save face). God loves a cheerful (Greek: hilaros, where our word “hilarious” finds origin) giver. This is most likely an allusion to Proverbs 22:9 in the LXX (Septuagint). We must happily be willing to help! (Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:16)

In verse 8, we come across two concepts that pervade the letter - grace and sufficiency. Corinth’s ability to give, as well as ours, is predicated upon the grace shown us by God. Our ability to give is enabled because of His grace. As God works in power, we recognize the awesome results in the lives of believers (Luke 1:49).

Paul plays on the idea that God’s grace is sufficient to make the Corinthians more than sufficient (cf. Phil. 4:11; 1Tim. 6:6) to fulfill their previous pledge. Through His power, His grace is made to abound (cf. 4:15; 12:9) toward them (cf. Prov. 11:24). In the original language there is p-alliteration throughout the verse (5x) emphasizing universality. While anyone can observe the disastrous calamities that result in a "health and wealth gospel understanding of verse like these, we would be remiss to neglect that the verse does suggest enablement by God to meet needs. Many are prevented from giving to the poor and needy for fear that they will become destitute. And no doubt, there needs to be wisdom in sharing our funds. But, honestly, how many people do you personally know that have become destitute being engaged in good deeds? Perhaps, this is an excuse that we may sometimes hide behind that we need to come out from behind.

In verse 9, we have an Old Testament quotation taken from Psalms 112:9. Psalm 111 extols God’s righteousness, but Psalm 112 contrasts the fading nature of the wicked versus the enduring nature of the righteous. Paul’s basic premise is that a gracious person engaged in righteous deeds will continue to do so as long as God grants him life. The word for righteousness here is a technical term for alms giving (cf. Matt. 6:1).

So in our giving, let us do so cheerfully, abundantly, and by God's grace and enablement. Let us look to the examples of those with barely enough to survive who gave everything for the gospel. Let us put the glory of the kingdom first before our materialism.

Please read 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 for tomorrow!

- By Eric Parker

"For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence. So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness."

---End of Scripture---

While chapter 8 discussed the specific details of the arrangement as well as the precautions set in motion, chapter 9 deals more with the why. The why is twofold: so as not to bring dishonor on the church nor to bring discredit on the boasts Paul made on Corinth’s behalf. He had just explained that he didn’t want anyone to make accusations that he handled the money improperly (8:16-23) and now he proceeds to ensure the Corinthians are ready to give super-abundantly and super-selflessly.

VERSE 1 - Ministering (GREEK: diakoneo) is a common theme in Second Corinthians (8:4, 20; 9:1, 12f; cf. Luke 22:26-27). "For it is superfluous for me to write to you..." suggests several possibilities. It may be that the Corinthians are already intimately acquainted with the situation which could certainly be the case as the collection was a year in the making. It could also be that Paul feels his letter at this point to be getting redundant or that he may be “beating a dead horse”. Regardless of how we understand the phrasing, we know that Paul wants to ensure that Corinth fully understands the need.

VERSE 2 - In 8:1-5, Macedonia is given as an example to Corinth. Here we see that Paul initially held the Corinthians up as Macedonia’s example and motivation. How the tables have turned! The perfect tense of "ready" implies that the preparedness and forwardness of mind is still there. Again, we reiterate that this collection had been a year in the making (compare 8:10) and Corinth had made big promises. Notably, Paul uses the provincial titles for both Macedonia and Achaia. This is probably to include several congregations that are participating in each area (cf. 1:2; Rom. 15:26; 16:1), or perhaps Paul is using synecdoche. Because of Corinth’s zeal, most had been stirred up (Greek: erethise – only used 2x in the New Testament and the other usage - Colossians 3:21 - is negative in connotation).

VERSES 3-4 - Paul anticipated that the brethren needed someone to stir them up to complete the task so he sends the brethren to help them out. Verse 3-4 contain four purpose clauses in one long sentence.

1) So Paul’s boasting is not in vain.

2) So their deeds would confirm their love as expressed in Paul’s boasting (8:19; 1Cor. 16:2b) while in Macedonia.

3) So that the emissaries of the churches would not find Corinth unprepared.

4) So Paul’s boasting would not be shamed (cf. 8:24; 9:2; 11:17). Paul’s use of the grammatical 3rd class condition implies a very slight risk in this happening.

VERSE 5 - Paul had exhorted the brethren to exhort Corinth by going on ahead of him. "Necessary" is placed at the beginning of the Greek sentence for emphasis. Paul elsewhere uses the same verbiage in this verse to describe their bounty which was a free will offering (Romans 15:26). As a free will offering, there should have been no covetousness, which interestingly, Paul is accused of by some at Corinth (7:2; 12:17-18). Paul did not want them to give as little as possible or just to appease him.

Please read 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 for tomorrow!

Have a blessed day!

- By Eric Parker

"But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord. We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches; and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness, taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you."

---End of Scripture---

Paul has established the example of the Macedonian Christians, used great persuasion to encourage the Achaian Christians to complete their promised benevolence, and now moves into some of the specifics regarding the safe-guards and trustworthy companions involved in the process of conveying these funds to the brethren in Jerusalem.

A couple of things stand out in this section. For one, verses 16-24 are framed by commendations of Titus (vv. 16, 23). Titus’ work with the Corinthians cannot be understated (2:13; 7:6, 13f; 8:6; 12:18). It’s no surprise that he would take part in the denouement of the collection. He is doing this of his own accord, a phrase reminiscent of the Macedonian example (8:3). While Titus was certainly one of the standouts in this process, there is at least one other brother (possibly two?) whose anonymity makes him stand out even further. Why the anonymity? Was it to prevent vainglory? Was it to demonstrate the man's trustworthiness? We cannot be sure but it is intriguing, so intriguing in fact, that scholars have named everyone from A-to-Z and tried to prove their hypothesis. Regardless of our futile speculations, we know this: these men were of the highest caliber of character and trustworthiness. Their service could be meaningful because they lived meaningful lives!

Secondly, the section provides both the apostolic directives for giving and the way in which autonomous congregations are to function in a cooperative effort of benevolence. There were to be safeguards throughout the process. As it was such a large sum of money, Paul was intimately aware that accusations of tampering could be made very easily. Consequently, each congregation was to safeguard its own funds at all points during the process so that no accusations of tampering withstood (Acts 20:4). The entire process was a service administered by all of the men in an effort to promote the glory of God throughout the Roman Empire as well as the good will of the Corinthians. For Paul, “He hopes this labor of love will allay suspicions that his work among the Gentiles has in some way lessened his indebtedness to and concern for the Jewish saints in Jerusalem.” (Melvin Curry, "Second Corinthians", Truth Commentaries, 279).

Thirdly, everyone involved in the process seems to have possessed a great zeal (7:12; 8:7-8, 16-17, 22) in the endeavor. No doubt this is a reflection of understanding the grace of God behind it all. The proof of their love would be seen in their willingness to carry out what they had promised from the beginning. This proof would be done literally in the face of (Greek: eis prosopon) the churches and their honor would be restored after the shame brought on by past sins. At the end of this passage, Paul returns to his boast of Corinth to all the churches to reinforce their commitment and self-imposed obligation to meet the need.

We learn two more things from this passage:

1) We can learn from Corinth that as we grow in and express our confidence in one another, that we become more interested in and more willing to help them in the work!

2) And while we continue this section looking at this benevolence in 2 Corinthians, we are humbled by the truth that no matter the unfathomable nature of Christian willingness in graciousness, it still falls far short of divine willingness!

Please read 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

- Eric Parker

"But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality— at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

---End of Scripture---

After citing the exemplary Macedonian commitment to benevolence for the Christians in Jerusalem, Paul begins to make the connection to Corinth. The Macedonians turned out their shallow pockets and enlarged their hearts for the brethren; now what about them?

Corinth was a place of much wealth and learning. Yet, it wasn't just in the worldly concept of wealth that they were rich. No, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:4-7: "I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in EVERYTHING you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here he references their depth of faith, utterance, knowledge, earnestness, and love. With all of these blessings and the example of the Macedonian Christians, Corinth had a great opportunity to put their resources to good use.

After commending these virtues, Paul exhorts them to abound in this grace also. Keeping in mind that Paul’s efforts are to avoid slanderous reports, he presents the instruction as a request rather than a command (1:24). He wants to motivate them through love and generosity, not break them down (10:8; 13:10). As other Christians have been stirred up, so Paul demonstrates his assurance that the Corinthians will prove their sincerity of love (cf. 1Jn. 3:17).

As if the tremendous example of the Macedonians were not enough, Paul establishes the even more superior example of Christ’s condescension to save men. One will notice the shift to second person pronouns for personal emphasis. Jesus had every advantage and yet gave it up to redeem and spiritually enrich mankind (Phil. 2:1-11). As a result of that condescension, Christians (especially at Corinth) were made rich (4:16, 18; 5:1, 8, 17f, 21; Eph. 1:3).

To further stir up the conviction of the Corinthians, Paul gives a word of advice. “Although the Achaeans may have failed thus far to follow through with their commitment to contribute, their desire to share in the work has remained constant. So, Paul actually pays them a subtle compliment, which, perhaps, will encourage them to delay no longer.” (Melvin Curry, "2 Corinthians", Truth Commentaries, 269).

Their giving needed to be both cheerful (9:7) and willing (1 Tim. 6:17-19). In verse 11, Paul issues a very pointed imperative – perform the doing! They had been eager to help, so now they must help! Since they had been willing, they were to now offer a free will offering as they had prospered. Paul has already established that they had prospered on a higher level than anyone in the region and therefore owed a great debt to share with their spiritual brethren who were suffering. Upon completion, their gift would be readily accepted by God.

There was no specific amount required, nor is there today (cf. 1Cor. 16:2). Despite the lack of an amount, some may have alleged that Paul required too much. In response, Paul demonstrates that their giving was not to ease others and burden/afflict themselves. The effort was to ensure equality during time of duress (cf. Acts 2; 4; 6). The Corinthians may find themselves in dire straits in the future and requiring what the brethren in Jerusalem were requiring now. If they failed at this time, how embarrassing and shaming if they were to need help in the future.

Toward the end of this section Paul quotes from Exodus 16:18 in the context of Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness and calls to remembrance the grace of God to give them manna for 40 years. During the wanderings, people gathered different amounts, but at the end of the day, everyone ended up with an omer of manna. This point drives home the equality principle in the previous verse. “All who were able were employed in gathering it. Some were more successful than others in how much they collected. When it was brought back to the camp, the amount each person had collected was measured by an omer. If he had a surplus, it went to supply the wants of some other family that had not been able to collect a sufficiency. Thus the one who had gathered little had no lack. Those who gathered more than an omer would constantly be manifesting a spirit of benevolence.” (Reese, 209).

Please read 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 for tomorrow!

You are invited to worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ!

3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

- Eric Parker

"Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well."

---End of Scripture---

Chapters 8-9 seem to be arranged in a pattern based upon key terms. These terms include:

A. The grace of God (8:1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 16, 19; 9:8, 14, 15)
B. Riches; liberality (8:2, 7, 14; 9:1, 8, 11f)
C. Test (8:2; 9:13)
D. Fellowship (8:4; 9:13)
E. Service (8:4; 9:13)
F. Commendation of the brothers (8:16-24; 9:3-5)
G. Paul’s Boasting (8:24; 9:3)

Although there is no specific mention of the recipients of the gift in chapters 8-9, the obvious indication is that it is to Jerusalem (consider parallel passages in Romans 15:25-27; 1 Corinthians 16:3). The specifics of the need are also unclear. It may have been another famine like the one years earlier in Judea (Acts 11:27-30) or it may have been a continual need for brethren in the area due to economic pressures for their convictions (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37; 5:1-11; 6:1-7). At any rate, God is using the opportunity to provide a solidification between Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians and dismantle cultural biases that were dividing the brotherhood. We see brethren from all over the Roman empire participating in this benevolence while maintaining local congregational autonomy (see Acts 20:4).

While God was using this effort to solidify his people, there needed to be utmost planning, preparation, and security to ensure evil surmising did not arise (2 Corinthians 11:7-8; 12:16-18). Yet, because of misunderstandings on the heretics’ part, Paul’s actions were completely misunderstood (2:17; 4:2; 10:10; 11:8-9; 12:13) and even in this collection, misunderstandings were made (Acts 21:17-34; 24:18).

Here is a short commentary of thoughts on the verses for today's reading:

VERSE 1 - Verses 1-6 are one long run-on sentence in the original language. Paul wanted to be clear with the brethren and make sure that they knew the situation they all were in. His specification of them as "brethren" is noteworthy because in the letter he uses it 3x at important calls to motivation (1:8; 13:11). He challenges these wealthy Corinthians through the example of the poor Macedonians. As the Macedonians gave inconceivably, and that through the grace of God (9:8, 14), so must the Corinthians abound in their giving. Anything less than their best was a failure of the test (1:2). Having emptied their shallow pockets for the cause, the Macedonians were enriched with the grace of God and grew in their discipleship!

VERSE 2 - Lots of people give when in surplus; few give when in dire straits (cf. Luke 21:1-4). Depth of affliction had caused them to better sympathize with the brethren’s struggle in Jerusalem. For the Corinthians, they should have considered that they were causing such affliction because of the issues prevalent within their church and therefore needed to abound all the more. Their affliction is called a great trial/test. Despite great affliction and trial, abundant joy caused the Macedonians to give in abundance. This example provides “the crazy-quilt logic of the gospel: joy + severe affliction + poverty = wealth” (Garland, 367). God does not measure by the amount given, but by the amount retained. Christian joy is independent of outward circumstances (Colossians 1:24). The mention of joy here is a call to remember that, “God loves a cheerful giver.”

VERSES 3-4 - Paul witnessed their generosity. He’d been on the receiving end before (Philippians 4:15-16). "Of their own accord" is from the Greek word authaireo meaning “voluntary.” This verb may go with what follows, “pleaded with us”, or with what proceeds, “beyond their ability.” The Macedonians were begging the apostles with much urging to serve their brethren. As Calvin says, “If the Macedonians lead the way in front of everybody, how disgraceful it is for the Corinthians not at least to follow their example.” (108).

VERSES 5-6 - Paul frankly states here that he had expected little if anything from the Macedonians and they joyously surprised him with liberality unthinkable. Macedonian willingness was complemented by both the grace of God and the will of God. First and foremost, they gave themselves to God; this is living for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). As a result of the Macedonian selflessness, Paul thought it wise to send Titus to complete the work he had long since begun with the Corinthians so that they could partake in this favor for the brethren. It should be noted that Titus had also helped them enact the disciplinary process from 1 Corinthians 5.

Please read 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed evening!

- Eric Parker

“And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth. His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

“I have confidence in you” (verse 16). Those are some of the most encouraging words that anyone could say or hear. Teachers instill a great amount of confidence within their students, when they let the children know that they are confident in their efforts and abilities. Bosses lift their employees’ morale and empower them to produce quality and quantity when they speak words of trust and assurance. When Children know that their parents are confident that they can and will make the best choices and do the right things, the greater the chances are that they will flourish in all of life’s endeavors.

The Corinthian Christians where Paul’s “children in the faith” (1 Corinthians 4:15). In spite of all their spiritual staggering and stumbling, Paul let them know that he knew they could do it! That they could learn and grow and mature in the faith, and be the kind of people and congregation that the Lord wanted them to be. They gave Paul good reason for this hope by their willingness to address and correct the sinful behavior that he had brought to their attention. It refreshed Titus’ spirit when he realized that the brethren had received Paul’s instructions and reprimands so well, and that also comforted the Apostle (verse 13).

God has confidence that you can do what is right in His sight if you so desire! And, He will help you greatly if you will only make the effort and try your best (Philippians 2:12-13). No matter how many times you have fallen down in the past, get back up and get back into the fracas (to quote Dee Bowman)! If you haven’t even begun to fight, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8). I know you can do it!!!

Please read 2 Corinthians 8:1-6 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

- Louie Taylor

“For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God. For this reason we have been comforted.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Sometimes sorrow is good. We live in a permissive society that encourages leniency and “safe spaces” and very little personal accountability for actions and appreciation of the consequences for poor choices. But, we do no one any favors, including ourselves, when we choose to be unremorseful for doing foolish, harmful, sinful things. We need to be sorry when we do wrong. The Corinthian church had permitted a very sinful situation to persist without trying to intervene by chastising and punishing the erring brother (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). When Paul reprimanded them for that, they had true remorse.

But sorrow should only be a small, initial turn in the direction of a complete about-face. If sorrow does not lead to repentance, then it is just wasted emotion (verse 9). When guilt, shame and sorrow motivate us to make positive, righteous changes in our lives, those are godly strides in the direction of salvation (verse 10). But when we are just sorry that we got caught, and have no real desire to redirect our steps toward the “will of God”, that is only “the sorrow of the world” that “produces death”. For all of their flaws and foibles, the church at Corinth is a good example for us to follow in this matter. They had a great “longing” and “zeal” to repent and do the right thing (verse 11).

Sorrow is only healthy when it lasts “for a while” (verse 8). Once God has pricked our heart with the sad truth, and we repent and turn from our sinful ways, we are forgiven. Obviously, if we’ve never been baptized for the forgiveness or our sins, we need to do that as well. But once God has forgiven us, we need to forgive ourselves and “go on our way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). A true, blood-bought, born-again Christian should understand that he has been given heaven’s greatest blessing when he is rescued by God’s forgiveness through the gift of “the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). Godly sorrow leads to repentance that produces salvation and joy!!!

Please read 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

“God has granted to us his precious and magnificent promises” through His faithful Son and His trustworthy word (2 Peter 1:4). Among the greatest of these promises is that God will dwell in us and walk among us and be our God and we will be His people (2 Corinthians 6:16). “‘And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:7). I can think of nothing more comforting than to know that I can call as my Father, the God who created the heavens and the earth, even the entire universe. As His precious child I can trust Him to take care of me and bless me and give me all the riches of heaven for eternity.

“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleans ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit…” Our sense of gratitude and indebtedness should prompt us to “clean” our lives up just as much as we can. What are the things that you allow to “defile” you? Is it the worldliness that pours forth from the television, radio or internet? Do you watch and listen to obscenities, crude humor, sexual innuendo, negativity, etc.? When we allow garbage to go into us, garbage will (stay in us, and) come out of us. Maybe books or magazines or worldly friends are having an ungodly influence.

Paul warns about the defilements “of flesh and spirit”. Even things that we consider to be spiritual in nature can be displeasing to God and corrupting to our souls. There is a lot of “entertainment” in the religious world today that is being pawned off as “worship”. Do you try to worship God in ways that you like and make you feel good, or do you try your very best to worship God in the ways that the New Testament reveals that are pleasing to Him? Do you think that a “concert atmosphere” with bands playing and people singing and dancing and strobe lights flashing is authorized, truthful and respectful worship to God?

God expects us to grow and learn and move on to maturity by “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” The Lord doesn’t expect us to be perfect. But He does demand us to take Him, His word and His worship very seriously. He expects us to live our lives in purity and in “fear” of Him. That word fear can mean “respect” or “reverence”, and it can also mean “terror”. If we obey and honor and respect our “Father”, we will never have to live in fear (terror) of Him. But if we do not, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

Please read 2 Corinthians 7:5-13 for tomorrow.

Stay holy my friends!

- Louie Taylor

“Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,’ says the Lord. ‘AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you,

And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ Says the Lord Almighty.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Paul was greatly saddened by the fact that he had opened his heart up to the brethren in Corinth, and many of them had stomped on it. He felt great love and affection for them, but they were being swooned by the influences of manipulative and opportunistic people (verse 12). Paul was the “father” who had begotten them by the Gospel (1 Corinthians 4:15), and yet they childishly spurned his legitimate care for their soul’s salvation. Their willingness to give heed to the seductive words of false teachers made for an unholy “partnership” (verse 14), and they were in dire need of repentance and separation.

The warning for us is to beware of the strong influences of worldly people, things and situations. God’s people should be lights that shine in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Light has no “fellowship” with darkness, but even “exposes” the unfruitful deeds that are done in the blackness of sin (Ephesians 5:11). Christ has no harmony with “Belial” (“worthlessness,” “extreme wickedness” – likely a reference to Satan). Just so, no believer has much spiritually in common with an unbeliever (verse 15), other than the need for a Savior.

God considers His people (collectively and individually) to be His holy temple (verse 16). God dwells in us and walks among us (verse 16), if we “come out from their midst” and allow the word of God to sanctify us and set us apart from the world and to His Son (verse 17). It is the most blessed privilege of all to be called a spiritual son or daughter of “the Lord Almighty” (verse 18). But that honor demands a different way of thinking, talking and living.

Is there a noticeable (righteous) difference between our words and actions and that of the people of the world at large? God is watching, and He knows who belongs to Him!

Please read 2 Corinthians 7:1-4 for tomorrow.

Blessings!

- Louie Taylor

“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says, ‘AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.’ Behold, now is ‘THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,’ behold, now is ‘THE DAY OF SALVATION’—giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

“Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (verse 2). There will be no more convenient time to become a Christian (Acts 24:25). There is no guaranteed that any of us will have any additional time than what we have today to do what we need to do to secure our eternity. The best time to obey God is NOW! God sent His Son Jesus into the world at just the perfect time to offer salvation to all of humanity (Galatians 4:4). We need to take advantage of the time that God gives us and spend it in undivided attention and service to Him. There will be no time for excuses on Judgment Day!

Paul’s greatest defense for himself was that he gave “no offense in anything” to the people in Corinth (verse 3). They knew from firsthand experience all the difficulties that he experienced while spreading the Good News, from a heart of love, throughout the region. In spite of Paul’s afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, hunger,” he maintained his “purity, patience, kindness, genuine love, righteousness” (verses 4-7).

A life spent in faithful devotion to the Lord can be quite an amazing paradox indeed! When we are dishonored by the people we try to help, we are glorified by God (verse 8)! When we “kill ourselves” in service to Him, we live in Him (verse 9)! At the moments that would typify grief and sorrow, we can rejoice in our Savior and our salvation (verse 10)! In Christ Jesus, we can be impoverished and even penniless, but in possession of all the riches of heaven! What a glorious conundrum!

There is no better life and no greater honor than to be a faithful Christian!

Please read 2 Corinthians 6:11-18 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

“Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature” (verse 17). When Nicodemus came to talk to Jesus by night, “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:3). To be “in Christ” is to adopt a whole new worldview. When a person is truly “renewed” in Christ, he becomes a “new creation” (Galatians 6:15), and sees things through a completely different set of lenses. “The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”

While it is true that “God loves me just the way that I am,” He loves me way too much to allow me to stay that way! He wants to change me, improve me, mold me, remake me into something more beautiful and useful to Him and His kingdom. He wants me to adopt the characteristics of His Son Jesus by molding my life after the pattern and example that He left with His life on earth. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

Paul is using the terminology of “true conversion” in today’s passage. A change that leads to “reconciliation” with God (verses 20-21), and a new life of “righteousness…in Him” (verse 21). Jesus bore the weight of our sins on Calvary’s cross to intercede on our behalf, and restore our relationship to God the Father that sin had fractured. As babes in Christ, born again by the blood of the Lamb, we are to no longer live our lives as servants of sin and self, but as servants of righteousness and God (Romans 6:19).

Eric Parker wrote: “Paul was clearly establishing that Christians die to the world when they are converted. They do not take stock in appearances, which is the exact opposite approach as the false teachers leading the Corinthians astray. He also makes a claim to being an eyewitness of Jesus’ activities just as the other apostles were (cf. 2 Pet. 1:16-21). The old manner of looking at men has passed away and the Corinthians were guilty of sin by acknowledging people through that manner. We become new creatures in Christ with a new plan and aim.”

Please read 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 for tomorrow.

You are invited to worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ!

3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

- Louie Taylor

“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

“The love of Christ controls us” (verse 14). Paul dedicated his life to serving the Lord and saving people’s souls because Jesus “died for all”. Jesus paid the ultimate price and performed the ultimate act of love for humanity when He lay down is life for us. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:13-14). God came to this earth in the form of a man to live for, serve and die for every person that has ever existed. That expression of love demands our complete and utter surrender to the will of our Savior and Master.

As we can see, Jesus is a very demanding friend. He said that we are only his friends if we do whatever He expects us to do. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). When someone truly understands who Jesus is and the eternal life that He provides for them, then they will realize that “they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (verse 15).

Does the Love of Christ control you? Who do you live for? We may refuse to ignore those questions for a while on earth. But we must give an answer when we all “appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (verse 10).

Please read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

“Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord — for we walk by faith, not by sight — we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

---End of Scripture Verses---

Faith gives us “courage” (verse 8) and faith gives us “ambition” (verse 9). Faith gives us the courage to say, “No matter what may happen to me on this earth, I will serve the God of heaven. Even if I must die because of my strong convictions, that only means that I will ‘be at home with the Lord’ all the sooner.” When we “walk by faith, not by sight” (verse 7), we do not need to see the outcome with our eyes to know the certainty of our eternal inheritance.

Faith gives us the ambition to live our lives to please the Lord, no matter what our outward circumstances may be. Our first, last and ultimate goal should be to think and talk and act in ways that glorify our Father in heaven and bring Him delight and not grief. And if delight cannot motivate us to walk in ways that please the Lord, then fear is a satisfactory provocation instead. “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” (verse 10). God is going to hold us ALL accountable for the way that we live our lives!

“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” (verse 11). Whatever it takes to persuade us to faithfully and obediently serve the Lord, so be it. There is just too much on the line to not get this right before we stand before the bar on high. Eternity, life or death, heaven or hell are hanging in the balance. Please make the determination to get “ambitious” about your eternity.

Please read 2 Corinthians 5:11-15 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” The “outer man” is the “earthen vessel” (2 Corinthians 4:7) and the “earthly tent” or “tabernacle”. When this physical “house” we dwell in is finally “torn down”, we have a “building from God…eternal in the heavens” (verse 1). A “tent” is a flimsy, temporary place for lodging, whereas a “building” is a sound, solid, permanent dwelling place. When Christ returns for His own, God will set us up in the most glorious high-rise you could ever imagine!

Until that day, “we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven” (verse 2). Even though we have already “put on the new self,” created in the “likeness of God” (Ephesians 4:24); we still yearn for the final and complete transformation, when the “perishable shall put on the imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:53). Our groans are sometimes negative and painful as we experience the bumps and bruises of life on planet Earth. And sometimes they are positive and hopeful as we contemplate the beauty and splendor of heaven that awaits us as faithful servants of the Most High God.

As we patiently anticipate that more excellent nature and eternal dwelling, we can rest assured that God’s promises are always steadfast and true. He has given His children “the Spirit as a pledge” (verse 5) until that day. A pledge is an “earnest” or “down payment” until the final transaction takes place. But we can have much more confidence in this pledge than we can in some “earnest money” that might be given in good faith when someone signs a contract to buy a piece of earthly real estate that we own. God has given us His Holy Spirit as a GUARANTEE of an eternal estate that is much more REAL than any earthly dwelling place could ever promise to be.

Our guarantee is this: “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 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 will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.’” (1 Corinthians 15:52-54)

Please read 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

- Louie Taylor

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Our outer, “earthen vessels” are decaying. About that there can be no doubt. Because sin entered the world, (physical) deterioration and death are an inevitability, unless the Lord returns first. But the great news is that our “inner man” can be “renewed day by day”! God strengthens His children spiritually according to His word and by His word (Psalm 119:28). He gives us the strength to endure trials and temptations by His grace. He encourages and edifies us when we worship Him (alone or in the assembly) in spirit and in truth.

Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” We can do all (good) things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

But we must look at the things which are not seen instead of the things that are visible (verse 18). It is estimated that only 10 to 20% of an iceberg can be seen from the surface. That means 80 to 90% is submerged and not within our range of vision. There is a lot more to our surroundings than we can physically see, and the things that cannot be seen are often the most substantive. Our God, He is alive! He is real and He is all-powerful! We don’t have to see Him to believe it by faith and to know it to be true.

When we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), all of the pain and turmoil of life on earth can be seen as “momentary, light affliction” (verse 17). When we serve the Lord in obedient faith, He will wield His power mightily within our lives (Ephesians 3:20)! After His death and resurrection, Jesus ascended back to the Father in order to prepare a place for His faithful followers (John 14:1-3). When He returns He will take us to our eternal, ethereal home that we can see through the eyes of faith and by belief in His promises!

Please reads 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

“But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,’ we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Quoting Eric Parker today:

“What Christians must realize is that true conversion brings unmatched responsibility. Our reception of God’s message, if true, necessitates our personal sharing of that message. Faithful is the saying, ‘Having the cure to cancer benefits no one if the cure is not shared.’ In the first direct Old Testament quotation from the letter, Paul demonstrated that inherent desire: ‘I believed, therefore I spoke.’

“Paul’s sense of selflessness is dramatic in this section. Elsewhere Paul expresses this powerful affection by offering his own life to spare his brethren (Rom. 9:3). Paul possessed a hope beyond the grave and as a result offered that hope in every conversation. Paul was the type of person who always started the conversation with, and directed that conversation to the spiritual kingdom. Paul’s hope and confidence for the Corinthians was their fellow presentation before God, but that presentation was predicated upon the expulsion of the ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ among the church at Corinth. Paul’s selfless endeavor for the brethren was ultimately an effort to bring thanksgiving to God through their mutual proliferation of the gospel.”

Please read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 for tomorrow.

Have a super day!

- Louie Taylor

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

The Apostle Paul switches metaphors in verse 7. In verse 6 he referred to “the knowledge of God” as pure, powerful, glorious light from the Father in heaven. Now he calls the Gospel Truth “treasure”. The life-changing, life-saving word of God is the most precious treasure that could ever be made available to humankind. All of the precious metals and substances that can be retrieved from the ground will corrupt over time and perish with the earth. But the precious gift that God sent down from heaven will endure and can save us for all eternity.

Jesus talked about the kingdom of heaven in two short parables from Matthew 13:44-46. “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” When you discover the Truth, you find the greatest of treasure and most precious of pearls that are worth selling everything else to acquire the purchase price of the kingdom.

This “treasure” that Paul and his companions were sharing was contained in “earthen vessels”. It was common for people of that place and era to store their valuables in clay jars and bury them in the ground for safe keeping. Paul knew that he (his “mortal flesh” {verse 11}) was just a vessel for the storing and distributing of the treasure that God had entrusted him with. The “surpassing greatness of the power” of God for salvation was in the message, not the earthen container. Paul’s vessel was beaten, bruised and battered, yet carried on because the priceless message that produces “life in you” (verse 12) is inviolable and indestructible.

Please read 2 Corinthians 4:13-15 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

- Louie Taylor

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

The Apostle Paul had “received mercy” (verse 1) from God so he extended it to others. He wrote in 1 Timothy 1:12-14: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” Paul always felt indebted to God and his fellowman because of the love, grace and mercy extended to him by the Lord. God continued to strengthen him by His mercy and grace as he carried out the “ministry” that had been entrusted to him.

“We have renounced the hidden things because of shame” (verse 2). To “renounce” something is to disown it, refuse it, deny it. And not just to refrain from do something, but to speak out boldly against it. Paul had such conviction and esteem for the Truth, that he willingly, vehemently and vocally renounced all religious error, and the deceitfulness and craftiness of anyone who tried to make merchandise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2:17). Do you take a visible and vocal stand for the Truth? Is there anything in your life that you hide from the world because of shame?

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:20-23)

“Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (verse 3). People who refuse to believe and obey the truth are spiritually lost and eternally damned. We don’t like to think about that too much because it makes us uncomfortable. The truth can be painful but it must be embraced or we will never find the motivation to teach “Christ Jesus as Lord” to lost people. Paul calls Satan, “the god of this world” in verse 4. 1 John 5:19 tells us, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” All who refuse to love God and obey the Gospel are under Satan’s influence. There is no middle ground or third option. We are either all in with the devil or all in with God.

I CHOOSE GOD!!!

Please read 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 for tomorrow.

Please consider worshiping God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ!

3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

- Louie Taylor

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Wow! What a sublime passage of inspired Scripture! Go back and read these verses again and just let them sink in. Let’s read what Eric wrote in his lesson book about this passage:

“Paul’s conclusion to his former argument prefaces chapter 4. He calls together the evangelists of the new covenant as administers of the gospel of righteousness. Being entrusted with the gospel was a gift of mercy for Paul and Timothy – so it remains an expression of God’s mercy for all workers in the kingdom. They could have lost heart because of the false allegations being made against them; they could have given up and made shipwreck of the faith like others had; but they pressed on. As he faced the heretical men at Corinth, he speaks candidly about their true motives – they adulterated the word of God (cf. 2:17). The motives of a God-fearing man were seen in the emptying of oneself to his brothers and sisters through the distribution of God’s most precious gift.

“Paul utilizes diatribe beginning in v. 3 by addressing the response of the false teachers without even needing to hear their arguments. The accusation of a veiled gospel is answered by demonstrating that the veil only appeared when people were unwilling to accept the pure milk of the Word (cf. 3:15f). Satan drew the veil as he and his cohorts disguised themselves (cf. 11:13-15) as apostles of Christ and servants of righteousness. In stark contrast, Paul and those without the veil were given the light of the gospel, which illumined their path to God.”

Let’s stay with these same 6 verses for tomorrow. I would like to add some additional observations as well. Read verses 1-6 again and we will delve a little deeper into the details on Sunday, Lord willing.

Have a super day!

- Louie Taylor