Paul’s Second Letter
to the Corinthians: DAY 30
READ 2 Corinthians
12:11 – 13:10
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 ends his letter speaking like a father to his
children. He is so different from his opponents – those false teachers who have
seized his congregation. He says to the believers, “I seek not what is yours but you.” He doesn’t want their
belongings; he wants their hearts committed to the Lord Jesus. The purpose of
Paul’s defending himself in this letter was not to puff himself up or to save
his reputation for his sake; even his defense was for the sake of the
Corinthians, that they would be built up and return to the true faith. Paul
grieves thinking that he may return to Corinth and find that some in the
congregation have slipped back into old sins.
Paul’s words of his impending visit should strike healthy
fear in the hearts of the rebellious minority. Though he comes, a human, to
discipline them, the Lord Jesus Christ will be there in power.
Paul implores the Corinthians to examine themselves to
see whether they are in the faith, for there are some who are deceived. His
desire is to see all come to true repentance and restoration.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
Who would you classify as your enemies?
Take time to pray for them today. Ask that God would give you a desire for
their good, like Paul, who longed for the restoration of those who were against
him.
2.
Ask God if you care too much about what
others think of you and too little about what God thinks of you. This is called
a fear of man. Ask the Lord to deliver you from this and to give you a great
desire to please Him and live for Him no matter the cost.
3.
Paul said that though Jesus was
crucified in weakness, He lives by the power of God. What is an area where you
would like to see Christ’s power displayed in your life? Ask for it!
