September 16, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
Final Warnings
1 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.…..Continue Reading
Two things I loved in Paul’s closing is his warning to keep an eye on one’s self, test yourself. Self examination is so important, we are so quick to see flaws in others and yet ignore our own. Taking hold of our thoughts, watching our tongues, and most importantly guarding our hearts. We need to constantly keep ourselves under observation.
Then he closes with Rejoice and love one another. Another opportunity to not look for flaws in others and yet care for them, encourage them, and support them. We need to spend more time showing God’s love and less time trying to do His job of judgement. Worry about our own actions and humbly serve others following Jesus’ example.
What stood out to me was verse 1b [ In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.] This verse is speaking of when he comes to them there will be witnesses to verify what he says to them. Both in the Old Testament and the New Testament there had to be two or three witnesses to verify what was said or done. If there was only one witness it wouldn`t hold up as true for it couldn`t be proven. Latter in verse 5 Paul is telling them to examine themselves to see if they are truly saved or just going through the motions of being a Christian. At least that is how I read it. If they are truly saved then Christ is in them. [ Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.] It is true that there can be many false conversions. For it isn’t just saying a few words to be saved. It is rather the heart condition. One comes to Christ with true repentance and fully trusting in Jesus Christ. Not of works lest anyone can boast. Not of our goodness for only God the Father is good. And when someone is coming to Christ he must see himself as a sinner with no help in himself. As the hymn says Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me——. As long as we think that there is goodness in us to get saved we won`t be and therefore doomed to go to Hell. For salvation is not of us but what Christ did on the cross. And then rose again the third day. All these other religions are based on works. Of what you need to do to go to Heaven. Only true Christianity which is by faith alone can one be saved. Not Roman Catholicism for it teaches faith plus works. It is not Christian. Our authority is the Word of God. If any teachings don`t agree with the Word of God then it is false teaching. In our church I wouldn`t be surprised if most of us were Roman Catholics. Myself was an American Baptist but still wasn`t saved. For all American Baptist teach differently even amongst themselves. Anyway the point is that we are saved by faith alone through God`s grace. In the farewell and benediction Paul is encouraging the believers to be perfect, of good comfort, of one mind, and to live in peace with each other. Many of them weren`t for they were living in sin contrary to what Paul had taught them. How shall we so live ourselves when we study these passages. I don`t know how many caught it when Paul mentions the whole Trinity here. verse 14 [ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.] May the unity and peace dwell in us as the body of Christ.
Hey Dennis, I corrected what you mentioned in your additional comment….let me know if you want me to post that as well or just delete it…
Day One of prayer of the ten days.
Paul. Had to defend himself in a church that he established. Frustrating! Some saying in the end of ch 12. Paul must have gained something by establishing Corinth church. Some did not know him at all. Ends chapter 12. Paul’s fear that the practices of unbelievers had return into the church of Corinth Paul continues in ch. 13. Letting them know. He’s going to confront head on unrepentant sinners. Paul calls them yo examine themselves. Doesn’t Christ live in you?? As we should have an exam once in awhile. Pretty simple. Are we taking steps to draw closer to God or drawing further away? It’s one or the other. End of this letter. Aim for perfection. Be of one mind. Live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with us. !!!!!!
2 Corinthians 13 done
2 Corinthians 15-16.; Judges 2-3
was that 1 Corinthians? Otherwise you have discovered new chapters of the Bible…lol
Paul uses this chapter to prepare them for his third visit. He will deal with them in the way that God and truth would dictate. He will not be hesitant to address what is wrong, but also asks them to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith. How important it is for us to consider where we stand in relation to the truth. How we are regarding the things of God and functioning in them. It is one thing to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith in relation to salvation, but it is another to see how we are doing in relation to sanctification as well. He also lets them know that he has been a bit direct in this letter so he would not have to be as harsh in his visit. He does make it clear, as he has throughout, that he does all for their growth in Christ and God has always been his reference point for how he has acted. Their jury may still be out in regards to Him, but he is confident that they will get it right and encourages them to strive in that direction.
Read 2 Corinthians 1-13
that was 1 thru 13.
2 Corinthians 13
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
Paul concludes his letter stressing important behaviors for us to strive for each day – to have joy in the Lord, to be restored to God, to encourage one another, be united in Christ and to live peacefully with each other. And we can do this in rememberance of the God who loves us and who gives us his peace.