2 Cor. 13

When any Christian is overtaken in a fault, we are to do what we can to restore that person to a healthy relationship with Christ and the Church. We shouldn’t execute our wounded. We shouldn’t hold bitter, vengeful grudges indefinitely. In fact, if we consider ourselves spiritual, we are instructed to restore such an one. [Gal. 6:1]

“Strive” is the operative word here. [2 Cor. 13:11] This implies persistent, significant effort.

The person who was initially chastised in the Church at Corinth was living in sexual sin which was being tolerated. That person had been turned over to Satan for buffeting, but had evidently repented and sought forgiveness and restoration. It’s the nature of Christ to receive and restore repentant sinners. It should be our nature also.

2 Cor. 12

Paul was so absorbed and committed to his function as an apostle that he had no room for pride in his role. This is the way Christian leaders should comport themselves. They should put all their energies into their job caring for people that they draw no attention to themselves.

A good Christian leader knows that their greatest reward can and will only come from the Lord Himself in the Hereafter. That is more than enough for them. They don’t seek or need the approval of men.

And (Jesus) sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. [Mark 9:35]

2 Cor. 11

I complain when I get a headache. Then, when I read Paul’s litany of trials, I am ashamed. [vv. 23-28]

No doubt he will receive a great reward in the hereafter for his suffering. It would have been easy for him to say, “This is too difficult. It must not be God’s will.” Nevertheless, he persevered on to perform his duties as an apostle.

Christ Himself suffered greatly for our behalf. Let us endure and fight the good fight of faith, looking unto Jesus the Author and Fiinisher of our faith.

2 Cor. 9, 10

We greatly underestimate the power we have in Christ. It’s not provided for our amusement or personal glory … it is for doing Kingdom work.

Near our church a piece of property is being prepared for a new grocery store and other businesses. There was a formidable mini-mountain of stone that has been leveled by giant machines and dynamite. Real earth-moving power was on display. Spiritual power is similar. Through God, impossible obstacles can be removed to make way for righteousness. These are called strongholds and they can be pulled down through prayer, praise, and faithful obedience to God’s Word. [2 Cor. 10:5, 6; Matt. 21:21]

Through God, WE have the big guns.

2 Cor. 6-8

In chapter 8 Paul discusses the principle of giving that those who have more than enough share with those who have much less. At Christmas time it’s healthy to see this. Christ Who was rich became poor that we could become rich.

Seasons of life change. When we are full, others may be empty. When they are full, we may be empty and in need.

Paul commended the Corinthian church for its excellence in so many areas. He also drew attention to the act of giving and challenged us all to excel in it.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [1 John 3:17]

2 Cor. 5

“So we make it our goal to please him,” is the advice Paul gives to the Corinthian believers. This regarding was to be their modus operandi … those wishing to leave this life and graduate to the next where they would have their eternal body.

I have a dad in this category. He’s 97 and is READY to go. At a recent Dr.’s visit upon being told his blood pressure was 120/70 and that he would probably live longer, Dad said, “Oh, no.” Meanwhile, he really enjoys Jimmy Swaggart’s preaching and music, and he likes to order food through GrubHub. But to me and my siblings, we can testify that our dad has lived his entire life to please God. This has been a revered role model for me and many others.

Thanks Dad, for the inspiration.

2 Cor. 4

People ask me how I’m doing. My stock answer is, “I cope.” I won’t bore you with any complaining here, but the truth is, I’m far from how i felt as a strong, young man. (Aren’t we all?!?)

Any suffering I do in my body is a chance to relate to Jesus. Paul said he carried about in his body the death of Christ which is in contrast to the resurrection life that will also be seen in us. Also, Christ’s healing, sustaining power keeps us going. (15 years ago the life expectancy for multiple myeloma was 3 to 5 years) Here I am 10 years out from my diagnosis and I am still going! In my weakness, Christ’s strength is revealed. I live to serve Him. He loves people through me. Now how can you improve upon that?

2 Cor, 3

I can understand why a Jewish person who comes to Christ would want to be Messianic, but I don’t get why a gentile Christian would get taken up with studying the Law and observing Old Testament rituals. Paul spent his entire ministry trying to show Jewish and Gentile believers that going backwards in their faith was fruitless.

I suppose they may feel some advantage by thinking God is more pleased with their life when they observe Jewish worship traditions. I don’t think He is. The Law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Christ doesn’t bring us back to the Law.

It’s a slippery slope when you begin jumping through Jewish religious hoops to become a “better” Christian. You can’t improve on just living face to face with JESUS!

2 Cor. 2

Sadly, Christians mess up and fall into sin. What do we do with them? We forgive them.

Paul’s communication with the Corinthian church about the man who was taken in sexual sin is an example of New Testament forgiveness as it should be. Too often, we feel that we should administer some payback through our sternness. (Paul had instructed the church to put him out until he repented.) They are already feeling the guilt and sorrow laid upon them by the Holy Spirit. (WE are NOT the Holy Spirit)

If God forgives them, who are we to withhold forgiveness? Obviously, if they are unrepentant and calloused toward their indiscretion, they probably have not fully repented of their sin. But, if they are repentant and truly sorry, we can help their restoration process by extending our forgiveness.

The way we give our forgiveness may come back upon us if we too sin. We reap what we sow.

2 Corinthians 1

When do you need comfort? When you’re sick or distressed. Paul addresses the subject at the outset of his second letter to the Corinthian church.

He established God as the source of his comfort. It comes as strength and hope when you’re in a tough place. God doesn’t always deliver us from trouble, but He always gives us strength to endure. As a loving parent, He knows we need struggles to become strong. After we’ve received comfort from Him, we are to give it to others.

Someone who has lost a loved one REALLY KNOWS how to comfort someone else who is grieving. Someone who has cancer can comfort someone else who has received a frightening diagnosis.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [Ps. 23:4]