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Good morning friends, It’s the weekend and again we’ll share this one “walking with Jesus” for both Saturday & Sunday, since you’ll have your worship services in your church on Sunday.
Do you find the endings of letters or books or movies fascinating?
My dear Dawn loves the “Hallmark Channel”, anyone else out there? One of the things we’ve learned, is that generally speaking, Hallmark movies all end up at the same place…a loving kiss, as the two main characters finally workout their differences in the last 4 minutes or so, and a ‘happily ever after’ conclusion almost always draws tears of joy.
Today we’ve come to 2 Corinthians 13. We might say it’s the epilogue of two letters which we presume were difficult for Paul to write to the Christians he loved so much, in the wild and radical city of Corinth. You will see Paul is almost threatening, in his opening words of chapter 13, as he warns them to be ready for his planned soon visit. Have you ever had to write or speak such a warning?
When you link the last few verses of chapter 12 with the first few of chapter 13, it’s clear Paul is anticipating what some might call a ‘dog fight’ when he arrives in Corinth. Seems he suspects that despite his very strong first letter, and people he has sent to try and straighten things out in Corinth, there are still several people claiming to be Christians, but who are living immoral or unethical lives, which are bringing public mockery to Jesus, to Paul and to the fledgling Christian Church in Corinth.
While we have no record detailing what Paul actually did when he visited Corinth for the third time, may I help us look closely at some important things in this epilogue from Paul?
First, notice his quote of Deuteronomy 19:15, that justice would be brought forward on the testimony of “…two or three witnesses.” (13:1) Rumor and gossip are dangerous, especially if building a reaction. Paul wanted truth. How quickly do you and I jump to assumptions on the basis of ‘hearsay’?
Second, accountability is important in our Christian lives, both private and public, both individual and corporate. Paul says “I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others…” (13:2). May I ask, what does accountability look like in your family or church? What’s the standard for holding people accountable for words, attitudes, choices etc? Remember Hebrews 4:13…“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Third, notice Paul’s challenge that each of the people reading his letter should “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith: test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?” (13:5) Now that’s a very interesting statement isn’t it? What might be an appropriate ‘test’ you could think of, that would validate or prove the authenticity of a person’s claim that Jesus has saved them (John 5:24), and that they are ‘born again’ by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7), and adopted by God the Father into His family (Rom. 8:14-17)?
Paul knew who & what he was before he met & trusted Jesus Christ. God had radically transformed Paul. Before, he was very religious, very zealous for what he believed to be God’s truth. But he was vicious, violent, critical, judgmental, and very prideful. It required a blinding encounter with Jesus (Acts 9) and then extended time alone with God, during which time Jesus taught Paul. Consider Galatians 1:11-24 as part of that story.
Paul’s concern, was that for some in Corinth, their lifestyle had not changed, yet they claimed to be Christians. Some were still sexually immoral in their personal life and unethical in their business dealings. Others were slanderous and gossipers in their speech. Much of his letter we know as 1 Corinthians details his accusations against them.
May I offer you several Scriptures, where Paul outlines what he’s looking for as the contrast between the ‘before and after’ of an authentic salvation experience?
1. Galatians 5:16-26
2. Ephesians 4:17- 5:11
3. Colossians 3:1-17
4. Romans 8:1-17
So let’s do what Paul instructed his Corinthian readers to do… let’s examine ourselves! What do you look for, in yourself and anyone who claims to be a “Christian”? How do Jesus following, God honoring, Holy Spirit indwelt Christians talk? How do they do business? How do they treat their spouse, their children (at any age), their ageing parents, their neighbors, or complete strangers? Should there be some clearly identifiable evidence in lifestyle that confirms the work of Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit in a genuine, authentic, ‘born-again’ Christian?
Oh yes my friends! Do you know why? Because what God does, in a repentant sinner who trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation, is nothing less than transformational! May I remind you of this statement we read a few days ago: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ they are a NEW CREATION. The old is gone and the new has come. All this is from God…” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
May I urge you through this weekend, to read all four of those lists of contrast ‘before and after’, which I just gave you? Then Monday, in our “Walking With Jesus”, we are going to start the Bible book of Romans, as we continue to follow the chronology of what happened in the years after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension back to heaven. That remarkable book, is packed full of details, about what transforming work God is doing in the life of a person who has trusted Jesus Christ for salvation. I said “Is Doing” because it’s an on going, transformational work, that should be recognizable and even undeniable! The next two weeks are going to be very powerful in our journey together.
Finally, as with all good epilogues, don’t you love how Paul signs off this letter to his friends in Corinth. “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God (the Father), and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”
Do you see something significant here? It’s one of several verses in the Bible, which proclaims the truth of the TRINITY. One God, three persons. God the Father, Sovereign over all. God the Son, Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord and Intercessor. God the Holy Spirit, who regenerates us, cleanses us when we’re forgiven, indwells us, empowers us, guides us, and comforts us.
Oh friends, I hope this weekend you can bask in the certainty, that you are a son or daughter of the Most High God, following Jesus’ lead as best you know how, and enjoying the Presence of God with you through His Holy Spirit. I hope you have a blessed weekend and be a blessing to everyone you meet…proving the authenticity of God’s work in you!
Click to read today’s chapter: 2 Corinthians 13. (At the top you can choose a different translation.)
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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