September 5, 2016
The example of Christ’s generosity should inspire and empower our own. He took on the poverty of our separation, sin and death, that we might receive the riches of His sonship, righteousness and eternal life. Having received this grace of Christ, we also have received His generous character. We can live the life of the open hand, one hand open to God receiving, the other hand open to others giving. As Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8).
September 1, 2016
Christianity is not self-improvement. It is an invitation to come and die, that we might be born again. It is not incremental nor partial, but drastic and total. By believing and receiving Christ, we are found in Him. Our old nature we count crucified with Christ. Our new nature and identity in Christ, we count as risen with Him. And so, we no longer “regard” anyone according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. In Christ, we are a “new creation,” and we regard everyone and everything in a new way.
August 29, 2016
The Spirit is both “of the Lord” and is the Lord. This is the paradox of the Trinity. So, the one who turns to the Lord has indeed turned to the Spirit. And where the Spirit is, “there is freedom.” Freedom from what, to do what? Certainly not freedom to do whatever we want. This would not be freedom, but slavery to the very sinful flesh which already rules human hearts. No, the one who turns to the Lord has been set free from the letter of the law that kills, to the Spirit which gives life (2 Cor. 3:6). And they have been given the freedom to understand and follow the Word of God according to the Spirit’s wisdom and power. This is true freedom. The bonds of condemnation are removed from our wrists and the veil that blinds us to spiritual understanding is removed from our eyes. We are free to no longer be slaves, but children of God.
August 27, 2016
In spite of some painful differences that had occurred between the Corinthians and Paul, he reminded them of the spiritual reality of their oneness in Christ. For it was God who had put them together in Christ, establishing them as belonging to Him. God had anointed, sealed and guaranteed them with the down payment of His Holy Spirit. It is good to remember the oneness we have in Christ when disunity or disagreement may come. For the same Spirit lives in each of us as a deposit guaranteeing our future together in Christ.
August 26, 2016
Paul requested that the Corinthian church be in prayer for him and his fellow ministers of the gospel. This was a request for corporate prayers, which he called real “help.” The modern church often overlooks the help that is found in prayer, especially the combined and unified prayers of the many. Do you need help today? Ask the saints of God to join together to pray on your behalf.
February 29, 2016
In John 4, Jesus offered to give the Samaritan woman “living water,” she responded with the practical observation that he didn’t even have anything to draw with. In other words, “You don’t even have a bucket. How will you be able to give me this “living water?” This is sometimes how we feel about God’s ability to generously supply our needs. Yet, God’s Word says that “God is able.” Able to do what? “To make all grace abound to you.” When? “At all times.” What? “In all things.” How much? “Having all sufficiency.” To do what? “To abound in every good work.” So, stop looking for God’s bucket. Instead, trust in God’s promise.
February 28, 2016 | 2 Corinthians 9:8-15 |
When was the last time you were generous? Most of us have a hard time with being generous. Whether it’s an attitude that says, “I earned it, so it’s mine.” Or a fear that worries, “I’m afraid I won’t have enough for me.” We struggle with generosity. What’s the greatest gift you’ve ever received? For the believer, the answer is the same: Christ. He is the gift of God that expresses God’s surpassing grace towards us. There is no greater gift. This is the gospel: Because of the surpassing generous grace of God, we are offered salvation in Christ!
February 21, 2016 | 2 Corinthians 9:1-7 |
In the apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he told them that Christ’s readiness to always be generous should be displayed in them as well. As believers, we can display this same disposition of the ready generosity of Christ in our lives.
February 14, 2016 | 2 Corinthians 8:8-24 |
The apostle Paul told the believers at Corinth that the proof that they had received the love of Christ would be shown in the quality of their generosity. We can show the proof of Christ’s love in our lives by the quality of our generosity. The text gives three proofs for genuine generosity.
February 7, 2016 | 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 |
Do you want to break out of the meaningless cycle of materialism? Or do you feel like you have nothing to be generous with? As we look at how the grace of God caused a chain reaction in the churches of Macedonia that overflowed into a wealth of generosity, we can respond to God’s grace by offering our whole lives back to him.