Paul’s Second Letter
to the Corinthians: DAY 25
READ 2 Corinthians 6:1
– 7:1
In your journal, write
down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to
what God shows you as you feel led.
Paul urges the people not to receive the grace of God in
vain (v 1). A person can receive the grace of God, but if they refuse to walk
in obedience to God, they trample His grace. Paul warns the Corinthians: “do
not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” In other words, do not be allied
inappropriately with unbelievers, for light and darkness have nothing in
common. In context, Paul is referring to those in the church who have rebelled
against them, boldly calling them out as “unbelievers” though he hopes they
will turn in repentance as many in the church already have.
Paul reminds the believers yet again that they are the
temple of the living God. He reminds them of God’s words to Israel in Leviticus
26. When God intends to dwell among His people, He asks that they first
separate themselves from wickedness. “[T]hen”, He says, “I will welcome you, and I will be a Father
to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me”. We receive God’s grace
in vain if we assume He is our father and has made His dwelling in us when we
have refused to repent of things He has called us out of. The words of verses
16-18 are a great promise! We should not be upset at their severity; rather we
should joyfully cleanse ourselves from things that defile us so that God’s
holiness might be perfected in us.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
When have you experienced God’s
discipline? How did it bring you to life and reconciliation in the end? Ask God
to keep your heart soft, that you would respond quickly to discipline.
2.
God disciplines us when we refuse to
repent. Is there something God has warned you about that you have refused to
repent of? Ask God to show you the danger of this refusal. Are you ready to
repent of it?
3.
Thank God that He intends to dwell
among His people. Thank Him for the privilege of being called the temple of the
Living God. Thank Him that He is gentle and patient in our failings and just in
dealing with us. Thank Him for calling you one step at a time on this journey
of obedience and for allowing you to get back up again when you fall.
