forgetting the hurt

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (30)

devotional post # 2185

2Co 7:14 Since whatever confident assertions I made to him about you, I was not ashamed to have made them. But just like everything we said to you was true, so also our confident assertions before Titus has proved true.
2Co 7:15 And his endearment for you is even greater, because he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
2Co 7:16 I am rejoicing, because I have confidence in you about everything.

forgetting the hurt

Paul went through some dark days as he struggled with the churches at Corinth. They had stubbornly refused to admit their complicity in the sin of one of their members. But repentance finally happened, and reconciliation did too. Now, Paul appears to have forgotten the hurt. He had confidence in the churches again — about everything. That is the hardest part about reconciliation — learning to forget the hurt and trust people again.

LORD, give us the faith in the Holy Spirit necessary to forgive and forget, and stay true to your gospel and your church.

Posted in forgiveness, reconciliation | Tagged | Leave a comment

the joy change can bring

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

devotional post # 2184

2 Corinthians 7:11-13

2Co 7:11 Because — look at the enthusiasm this godly sadness has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

2Co 7:12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your enthusiasm for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

2Co 7:13 Therefore we are encouraged. And besides our own encouragement, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

the joy change can bring

When the Corinthians discovered how sad it made them that they had disappointed Paul, they changed quickly. It brougth joy to Paul and his team. Such is the joy that can come to God’s people when they respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit through the discipline of godly leaders. No change, no joy.

LORD, show us how to respond appropriately to those who challenge our actions, so that we can bring joy to them and you.

Posted in change, repentance, sanctification | Leave a comment

the gamble of discipline

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (28)

devotional post # 2183

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

2Co 7:8 Because even if I made you sad with my letter, I do not regret it– although I did regret it, because I see that that letter saddened you, although only for a while.
2Co 7:9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were sad, but because you were saddened into repenting. Because you felt a godly sadness, so that you did not lose anything by what we said.
2Co 7:10 Because godly sadness produces a repentance that leads to deliverance without regret, whereas worldly sadness produces death.

the gamble of discipline

Every time we dare to rebuke someone for not living up to their confession, we take a gamble. To be called to task for sin produces a sadness that can go in either direction. Either the sinner turns that sadness against the sin, or against the persons rebuking the sin. If the Corinthians had turned their sadness against Paul and his team for their rebuke, the result would ultimately have been rebellion against Christ, and the second death. But they responded appropriately, understanding that it was their sin that had threatened their relationship with the missionaries.

Leadership in God’s kingdom sometimes requires words of rebuke and correction.

LORD, give us the courage to challenge our friends when they are being disobedient to you.

Posted in church discipline, rebellion, repentance | Tagged | Leave a comment

an encouraging report

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (27)

devotional post # 2182

2 Corinthians 7:5-7

2Co 7:5 Because even when we entered Macedonia, our flesh could not relax, but we suffered in every way: battles on the outside, fears on the inside.
2Co 7:6 But God is the one who encourages the depressed. He encouraged us by the presence of Titus,
2Co 7:7 but not only by his presence, but also by how he had been encouraged by you, since he reported to us that you longed for, mourned after, and were zealous to have me return. That made me rejoice even more.

an encouraging report

There was a lot of work for Paul’s team to do in Macedonia. New churches needed to be supported and equipped in places like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. So, Paul’s team set themselves to the task.
But there were plenty of obstacles to the mission work there — just as there had been when Paul and his team had planted those churches. Besides the persecution and tough times they faced, they also worried about the churches they had left — Corinth, for one.

Fortunately, Titus had traveled through Corinth on his way to give a report to Paul about his work. He brought good news for Paul that the Corinthians had not forgotten them, and were longing to see him again.
What a blessing it is when you are having discouragements in your ministry to discover that people miss you and appreciate your work.

LORD, make us the kind of people who encourage those who have served you among us.

Posted in appreciation, encouragement | Tagged | Leave a comment

courage and faith

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (26)

devotional post # 2181

2 Corinthians 7:2-4

2Co 7:2 Find room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.
2Co 7:3 I am not saying this to condemn you, because I said before that you are in our hearts, dying together and living together.
2Co 7:4 I am showing a great deal of courage toward you; I have a great deal of pride in you; I am filled with encouragement. Despite all our suffering, I am overflowing with joy.

courage and faith

Paul and his team had been rejected by those they were responsible for bringing into the kingdom. Rejection hurts. Betrayal hurts. But Paul has chosen not to condemn and reject the Corinthians in retaliation. Instead, he has chosen to forgive them, and plead for reconciliation. Having done this, his faith lead him to be encouraged and joyful. He knows that God can bring about unity even where Satan has caused great opposition. He knows that those who followed him to Christ can follow him once again.

LORD, give us the courage to keep asking for reconciliation, and the faith to expect it.

Posted in courage, encouragement, faith, reconciliation | Tagged | 1 Comment

separate to sanctify

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (25)

devotional post # 2180

2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1

2Co 6:17 Therefore The LORD commands “Go out from the middle of them” and “be separate” says the LORD, and “Do not touch the impure thing, and “I will welcome you.”
2Co 6:18 and “I will be a father to you” and “You will be sons and daughters to me” says the LORD, the Almighty.
2Co 7:1 Therefore, beloved, Let us purify ourselves, from everything that defiles flesh and spirit as we perfect holiness in the fear of God, since we have these promises.

separate to sanctify

You will recall that the issue Paul was addressing was partnerships with unbelievers in the church. Now, Paul further explains the reason that is a problem. God wants to establish a family relationship with us. He wants to come down and welcome us into his family. But he cannot welcome anyone who has been defiled. The reason believers are to separate from other loyalties is to perfect holiness, so that we can receive what God has promised us.

But how do we reconcile the command to separate with the command to make disciples? Both are kingdom requirements. Both are expressions of God’s love. We reach people with the gospel because God loves them. We separate from sin because God loves us, and wants to be our father.

Jesus is our example here. He closed his heart and body to sin, but opened his life to fellowship with others. He did not acheive his kingdom by forming an alliance with Herod or Caesar.

LORD, show us how to stay separate from sin, while getting close enough to sinners to share our faith in you.

Posted in holiness, sanctification | Tagged , | Leave a comment

only one covenant

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (6)

devotional post # 2179

2 Corinthians 6:14-16

2Co 6:14 Do not be mismated with unbelievers, because what partnership does righteousness have with lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness,
2Co 6:15 or what harmony does Christ have with the Devil, or what share does a believer have with an unbeliever,
2Co 6:16 or what agreement does the temple have with idols? Because We are the temple of the living God, just as God said “I will live with them and I will walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people.”

only one covenant

Some believers in Corinth had apparently formed business relationships with unbelievers, and that had led to all kinds of potentially compromising situations. Corinth was idolatrous in its cultural core. Business agreements with non-Christians would introduce conflict because the Christians had to purge themselves of that idolatry, not compromise with it.

Many today only apply this text to mixed marriages, and it certainly does apply to that kind of agreement — where a believer marries a nonbeliever. It applies in any situation where one’s loyalty to God is strained by competing loyalty. God has decided to live among us, so we cannot make covenants with unbelievers that would force us to compromise our commitment to him.

LORD, give us the wisdom to restrain from compromising covenants.

Posted in commitment, loyalty, marriage | Tagged | Leave a comment

open wide

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (23)

devotional post # 2178

2 Corinthians 6:11-13

2Co 6:11 Our mouth has been opened to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.
2Co 6:12 You have not been narrowly limited by us, but you are narrowly limited in your own affections.
2Co 6:13 In exchange (I speak as to children) make room in your hearts also.

open wide

Paul’s team opened their mouths and proclaimed the gospel to the Corinthians. The Corinthians came to Christ, but now they seem to have closed their hearts to their evangelists. They no longer want to hear from them. Or, to be specific, they have narrowed the scope of content that they are willing to accept from these missionaries. Perhaps they are willing to hear praise from them, but not rebuke. They are open to encouragement, but not criticism. Paul urges the Corinthians to open their hearts and receive all that God has to say through his team.

LORD, when we start to limit the form of instruction we are willing to receive from your servants, show us how to resist that temptation.

Posted in appreciation, ministry | Tagged | Leave a comment

resume, line three

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (22)

devotional post # 2177

2Co 6:8b We are treated like impostors, even though we are genuine servants;
2Co 6:9 like we are unknown, even though we are well known; like we are dying, and notice, we are alive; like we are being punished, and yet not killed;
2Co 6:10 like we are sorrowful, yet we are always rejoicing; like we are poor, yet we are making many rich; like we have nothing, yet we possess everything.

resume, line three

Paul concludes this resume to the Corinthians by pointing out that the faithful service that his team has rendered has resulted in a completely negative reaction. The very people who have been given the gospel are now shunning and complaining about the missionaries who brought them this gift. So, the entire team stands with their mouths open in shock as they are being ostracized by the very people that they liberated with the good news of Christ.

I wish I could say that Paul’s was the only missions team in history who felt this dishonor. It keeps happening. And the servants of God keep going back to serve him, because giving people new life in Christ is ultimately a service first to Christ, then to others in his name. It is wonderful to be appreciated for what we do. But we must do it for Christ’s name, even if our own name is brought to dishonor.

LORD, give us the courage to preach the gospel, even if we are not appreciated for it.

Posted in appreciation, evangelism, ministry | Tagged | Leave a comment

resume, line two

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (21)

devotional post # 2176

2 Corinthians 6:6-8a

2Co 6:6 We serve with sincere loyalty, with understanding, with patience, with kindness, with the Holy Spirit, with genuine love;
2Co 6:7 with truthful speech, and with the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
2Co 6:8a we serve when honored and dishonored, when accused and praised.

resume, line two

Paul continues his team’s resume here. He had pointed out that the team kept going in spite of hardships that they faced everywhere. Now he points out that they did this with personal and spiritual integrity. They were not pretending to represent God and make friends for him. They had the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives, and they demonstrated it. They also had the power of the Holy Spirit both for miracles and for the display of untainted holiness.

He also points out that the team’s testimony and service (diakonia) continued even if those whom they served refused to appreciate the service. In spite of dishonor and accusations, they kept serving.

LORD, give us ministries that reflect your holiness and your love, no matter how people respond to our service.

Posted in holiness, integrity, ministry | Tagged | Leave a comment