Jim Peters

Paul’s 2nd Letter to God’s People at Corinth – Part 2

Posted on 26. Jul, 2009 by Jim Peters in Hearing God - Jim's Daily D

Thursday, 23 July 2009
2 Corinthians 1:12-24

12 This is our reason for boasting: the testimony of our conscience – that we have lived in the world and especially towards you, (being) set apart for God in sincerity and grace, and not in worldly wisdom. 13 We wrote nothing to you other than what you (could) read and know well and I hope you will know it well until the end, 14 just as you partially knew us – we are you reason for being proud and you will also be ours in the day of our Owner and Master, Jesus.
15 At first I wanted to come to you in this confidence so that you might receive double the pleasure – 16 as we passed through your way to Macedonia and came again from Macedonia to you to be sent on from you to Judea. 17 So was I making light of it when I wanted to do this? Or what do I want – do I want it according to the flesh so that it will be yes, yes and no, no? 18 But as God is faithful our word is not yes and no.
19 God’s Son Jesus, the Christ (who was) publically declared among you by me, Silvanus and Timothy, didn’t become yes and no, but in him it’s become yes. 20 All God’s promises are yes in him and our “Amen” (which means “It’s the truth.”) is also through him for God’s praise and glory. 21 Now (the One who) anointed us and confirmed us in Christ to you is God. 22 He put his identification mark on us and gave his Spirit as a deposit. 23 But I call God as my witness, on my life, that I didn’t come to Corinth again to spare you. 24 not that we hold it over your faith, but work with you for your joy, (because) you are standing firm in your faith.

Application
I am called to live a life that is set apart for God. This is especially needed for other people who may be watching, not so that I can boast, but so that my behaviour doesn’t cause them to slip. So many times, things I’ve said or things that I’ve done could so easily have been used as either a reason for people to sleight God or not to follow him in the way that they should. My life needs to be light and salt in this world so that it not only different but that it brings flavour and guidance to others.
God will guide me as to what to do. He isn’t unclear in his direction. In fact, double-mindedness is opposed to God and to faith. He doesn’t change his mind. More than that he doesn’t say no either. All his promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus. Through him I can say amen. It’s the truth. That’s right. God isn’t the God of no. He isn’t the God of maybe. But he definitely is the God of Yes. Accordingly, I need to know what his promises are and how to walk in those promises. I need to align my words with what God is saying. Perhaps I need to say yes a lot more often to God and no a lot more often to the things that oppose God.
I have God’s mark of identity on me. I look like I belong to God, so therefore I need to act as if I belong to God and stop acting like I don’t want to know him or I’m ashamed of him.
Prayer
Father, please help me to know your promises and to stand on them. Please let me be one who says yes to everything that you say yes to. Fill me Holy Spirit and let me reflect God’s values. Let me be your salt and light in everything I think, do or say.
I commit myself to you and I declare your goodness and your salvation over me and my family. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
IJN Amen
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