2 Corinthians 7 (résumé): Paul's Joy

 Paul now says at the beginning of chapter 7: "Make room for us in your hearts because we have wronged no-one... I have great confidence in you and take great pride in you... my joy knows no bounds... it was tough when we came to Macedonia as there was no rest and we were harassed at every turn... but we were encouraged by Titus's arrival... and what he told me greatly increased my joy... although I know my previous letter hurt you... but I am glad that your sorrow led you to repentance... worldly sorrow brings death but Godly sorrow brings repentance... we are encouraged... and Titus's spirit has been refreshed by all of you.. and our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true... and his affection for you has grown". 

2 Corinthians 6 (résumé): Paul's Hardships

Paul begins chapter 6 telling the Corinthians that "now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation... Paul then refers to the lengths to which he has gone to bless and help the church suffering troubles, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, hunger, and always with patience, purity and kindness... we have opened our hearts to you, but you are withholding yours from us... open wide your hearts also!" "But don't be yoked with unbelievers... for what fellowship can light have with darkness?... therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord".

2 Corinthians 5 (résumé): Our Heavenly Dwelling

Paul now starts chapter 5 comparing the human body to an "earthly tent" and expresses the Christian hope of after death receiving "an eternal house in heaven... for which we long... so that mortality be swallowed up by life... so whilst we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord... but we know that one day we will all appear before the judgement seat of Christ... thus we try to persuade men concerning this... because Christ died for all so that people don't just live for themselves but for him who died for them and rose again... and if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and all things have become new... for God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ... and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation... for which we are Christ's ambassadors... so be reconciled to God... because he made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God!"

2 Corinthians 4 (résumé): Treasures in Jars of Clay

Paul starts 2 Corinthians 4 saying: "By setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God... but the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers... but we don't preach ourselves... we preach Jesus Christ... whose light shines in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ... and we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God... so we are hard pressed but not crushed... perplexed but not in despair... persecuted but not abandoned... struck down but not destroyed... and we are given over to death for Jesus' sake... for we know that God who raised Jesus will also raise us with Jesus... so that the grace which is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God... therefore we don't lose heart but are being inwardly renewed daily... for our light troubles are bringing eternal glory".

2 Corinthians 3 (résumé): The glory of the New Covenant

 Paul commences chapter 3 saying that he doesn't need a letter of recommendation because the transformed lives of the Corinthian Christians constitutes that letter, "written by the Spirit of God on the tablets of human hearts... for our competence comes from God... for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life... and if the law on stone came with glory... how much more glorious is the ministry of the Spirit which brings righteousness... Moses would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from seeing the glory... but when someone turns to God the veil is taken away... and where the Spirit is there is freedom... and we are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory".

2 Corinthians 2 (résumé): Forgiveness for the Sinner

Paul starts chapter 2 explaining that he decided not to visit Corinth again while things were difficult and "painful". His previous letter had been written with "great distress, anguish of heart and many tears", not to "grieve them", but because he deeply loved them and wanted them to recognize the seriousness of their situation. Paul then goes on to say that a person in the church "had grieved all of you... and had been disciplined ("punishment inflicted")... sufficiently and should now be comforted and forgiven... so that he doesn't get too upset... and says that forgiveness is important to that Satan doesn't take advantage of the situation". Paul then says that he had gone to Troas but didn't have peace of mind because Titus wasn't there. But, he says, "thank God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ... and we are the aroma of Christ... so to the perishing we are the smell of death but to those being saved we are the fragrance of life... so we speak like men sent from God with sincerity". 

Conference Preparations

Liz took all the food for the Pastors Conference yesterday to Green Pastures having purchased everything at the supermarket with the help of Sister Zenaide. The Conference starts tomorrow with everyone arriving in the morning in time for a midday fellowship lunch, although the kitchen team moves in this afternoon. Then there will be a meeting at 2 pm on how to improve books of minutes and other church records. This will be followed by a meeting at 4 pm on our social action projects. Then comes the evening meal at 6 pm prior to our devotional service with praise, prayer and sharing on the topic of Biblical integrity. Please pray for the conference.

Yesterday I concluded my summary of the book of First Corinthians. This means I have completed 46 books of the Bible, 1,078 chapters and just over 90% of the Bible. The end is in sight and now it's on to the 13 chapters of Second Corinthians.