Himalayan Heights: 2 Corinthians 4-5
All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.
Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 4-5, focus - 4:1-6
If Romans 8 is the Mt. Everest of the Bible, 2 Corinthians 4-5 may be the K2 (the second-highest mountain in the world). Read the entire passage today. Then focus on 4:1-6. The church at Corinth was always Paul's problem child. By this point, many were questioning the validity of his apostleship. Much of the thrust of 2 Corinthians is about genuine Christianity and what makes us real.
Through the Bible Readings: Ruth 3-4, Luke 13:1–21, Psalm 50:1–3, Proverbs 11:11-12
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: Walking in Christ's Light
Paul is a fraud. That is what some of the people in Corinth were saying. He isn't a real apostle. After all, he wasn't part of the Twelve, and he persecuted the church. Who is he to come in and spearhead this new movement? We do not know if it was the so-called Judaizers or libertines or others who were challenging Paul, but we know people were coming after him. Paul was strong, but he was human and it hurt.
But he refused to "fight fire with fire." He did not whisper and play politics and join in the power games that others were playing. He refused the secret, manipulative ways of his opponents but instead, let his life shine the light of Jesus clearly. These verses are packed with powerful insights, but three of them bear highlighting.
1) "But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways"(4:2)
While Paul was going to spend much of this letter explaining and defending his ministry, he completely rejected power politics, manipulation, and pushing himself. Secret ways are shameful ways. I once heard faith described as "living without scheming" - a good definition. God's people walk by faith and don't use subtle, secret means to gain and maintain power and control.
If you are scheming and plotting and planning and working behind the scenes, you are not walking in the power of God. Paul rejected that kind of ministry and relied on the power of God.
2) "In their case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." (4:4)
Christian ministry is about speaking the truth and trusting God's Spirit to convince believers of its truth. We reject scheming and manipulation because they are useless. Unbelievers cannot understand because they are blinded by Satan's lies. We take a different approach. We simply proclaim God's truth and trust the Spirit to convince the heart.
3) "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (4:6)
Paul had one goal in all that he did. He was not seeking to build his platform, make himself known, or gain any of the things of this world. He simply wanted to shine the light of Christ in this world. Jesus came to do more than teach us doctrine or help us live moral lives. He wanted us to know God and he did that by reconciling us to God and through the Spirit, shining the light of God's glory in our lives. We walk through this life shining Christ's light into a world darkened by sin - through us the world sees God's glory!
But he refused to "fight fire with fire." He did not whisper and play politics and join in the power games that others were playing. He refused the secret, manipulative ways of his opponents but instead, let his life shine the light of Jesus clearly. These verses are packed with powerful insights, but three of them bear highlighting.
1) "But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways"(4:2)
While Paul was going to spend much of this letter explaining and defending his ministry, he completely rejected power politics, manipulation, and pushing himself. Secret ways are shameful ways. I once heard faith described as "living without scheming" - a good definition. God's people walk by faith and don't use subtle, secret means to gain and maintain power and control.
If you are scheming and plotting and planning and working behind the scenes, you are not walking in the power of God. Paul rejected that kind of ministry and relied on the power of God.
2) "In their case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." (4:4)
Christian ministry is about speaking the truth and trusting God's Spirit to convince believers of its truth. We reject scheming and manipulation because they are useless. Unbelievers cannot understand because they are blinded by Satan's lies. We take a different approach. We simply proclaim God's truth and trust the Spirit to convince the heart.
3) "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (4:6)
Paul had one goal in all that he did. He was not seeking to build his platform, make himself known, or gain any of the things of this world. He simply wanted to shine the light of Christ in this world. Jesus came to do more than teach us doctrine or help us live moral lives. He wanted us to know God and he did that by reconciling us to God and through the Spirit, shining the light of God's glory in our lives. We walk through this life shining Christ's light into a world darkened by sin - through us the world sees God's glory!
Father, may I be like Paul, renouncing secret, manipulative and shameful ways, leaving Satan's deception behind and walking in the light of Christ's glory.
Think and Pray:
Do you walk in faith or are you a schemer and manipulator, seeking to control others?
Do you trust God's truth to convince others?
Are you shining the light of God's glory in this world, or is Christ's light hid by your sin and selfishness?
Do you trust God's truth to convince others?
Are you shining the light of God's glory in this world, or is Christ's light hid by your sin and selfishness?
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