December 6, 2012

Disguised as Servants of Righteousness (12/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 10-13.

Paul warned the brethren in Corinth about the dangerous influence of false teachers. His warning is just as appropriate for us today.

“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” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

False teachers will always exist, and we must be on the alert against them. But we should not think that false teachers will be immediately apparent as such. No false teacher is going to inform you that what he is teaching is not true. He will present his message as though it is the truth. He will disguise himself as a servant of righteousness.
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December 5, 2012

Godly Sorrow (12/5)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 5-9.

It is common for one to feel guilty after doing something that is wrong. Whether it is due to conscience, negative consequences, or shame that comes from others learning of our actions, we often feel remorse over our sins. Only after one’s conscience is seared does he no longer feel such guilt (1 Timothy 4:2). But while this guilt (sorrow) over our actions may be common, not all of it is necessarily helpful. Notice what Paul told the brethren in Corinth:

“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” (2 Corinthians 7:8-10).

In his first letter to these brethren, Paul rebuked them for several sins. Naturally, they were sorrowful (they had a sense of guilt and remorse) after Paul brought these sins to their attention and condemned them. Fortunately, the Corinthian brethren had the right kind of sorrow.
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December 4, 2012

A New Creature

“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).

When Paul spoke of Christians (those “in Christ”) as being new creatures, he did not mean that we are no longer human as if we had become a new species. We remain human beings made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). But there are significant changes that come when one becomes a disciple of Christ. Let us notice a few of the “new things” that come when one becomes a “new creature” in Christ.
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December 4, 2012

“Peddling the Word of God” (12/4)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 1-4.

When one has a product to sell, he will highlight its impressive features and keep silent about any real or perceived problems it may have. It is common for one to exaggerate and even lie in order to sell his product. If sales are not as good as he hopes, he may even decide to change the product altogether to make it more appealing to his target audience. When one is selling a regular product or service, there is nothing wrong with making changes in order to improve sales, as long as he continues to “provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17, KJV).

However, too many people view the gospel as a product to be sold and will, therefore, change it in order to make it appealing to a larger group of people. Yet the gospel is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16), not a common product to be marketed and sold. Therefore, we must not treat it as common or changeable. Notice what Paul told the brethren in Corinth:

“For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17).

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December 3, 2012

“Stop Sinning” (12/3)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 15-16.

Many in the religious world believe that sin, though not necessarily desirable, is acceptable. They may not use the term acceptable, but when they affirm that God accepts one in sin before meeting His terms of forgiveness, or that Christians should accept one in sin without regard to what God’s word teaches about the bounds of fellowship, their point is essentially the same. To them, sin is acceptable, tolerable, or of no consequence. Yet this is not what the Scriptures teach.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).

Paul warned the saints in Corinth not to allow evil influences to corrupt their “good morals.” These evil influences would entice them to sin, trying to persuade them that there were no consequences for sinful behavior. Paul did not say that such corrupting of good morals was tolerable because God’s grace will unconditionally cover all sins. This is the deception that threatened the Corinthians and that threatens people of faith today.
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December 2, 2012

“Do Not Be Children in Your Thinking” (12/2)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 12-14.

When the disciples tried to prevent children from being brought to Jesus, the Lord said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). There are certain characteristics common in children that disciples must have (innocence, trust, etc.). Yet Jesus did not teach that His followers must be like children in all things. Notice what Paul told the brethren in Corinth:

“Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature” (1 Corinthians 14:20).

While there are certain characteristics of children that are to be emulated, there are others that are not. In this passage, Paul said that in the realm of thinking, Christians are not to be like children, but are to be mature.
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December 1, 2012

“Woe Is Me if I Do Not Preach the Gospel” (12/1)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 9-11.

While Paul preached in Corinth, he received no financial support from the church there. He either worked to support himself or received “wages” from other churches for his work (Acts 18:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9). Yet in the first part of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul argued that he had “a right to refrain from working” as he preached the gospel among them (1 Corinthians 9:6). He pointed out the fact that it was God’s intention for preachers to be supported.

“So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

Yet because of circumstances in Corinth, Paul chose not to take advantage of what should have been expected – support from those among whom he labored (1 Corinthians 9:15). But why would Paul forgo support? And without adequate support, why would he keep preaching? Notice what he told them:

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

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