2 Corinthians 13
September Memory Verse: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Read: 2 Corinthians 13
Take sin seriously.
As Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians, he is wanting to implore, one final time, for the church to take sin seriously.
The key word that Paul uses in verse 5 is: examine. “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” Paul is saying that the test of genuine faith, at least in part, is obedience. Remember what James said: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14) James is not saying that we are saved by our works, but that genuine faith results in a changed life of obedience to Christ and His Word.
This is why Paul wants the church to examine themselves. If they are true, genuine disciples of Jesus, then that will be marked by repentance and obedience to Christ. This is not saying that we must be perfect, but that we must be repentant for the purpose of obedience. The ultimate purpose of self-examination is to be restored both to God and to the church.
Take some time today to examine your own life. What areas have you been giving into in your fight with sin? Resolve today to hate sin, to grow in your desire to obey Jesus, and take practical steps to move forward and grow in God’s grace.
By: Graham Withers
Read: 2 Corinthians 13
Take sin seriously.
As Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians, he is wanting to implore, one final time, for the church to take sin seriously.
The key word that Paul uses in verse 5 is: examine. “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” Paul is saying that the test of genuine faith, at least in part, is obedience. Remember what James said: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14) James is not saying that we are saved by our works, but that genuine faith results in a changed life of obedience to Christ and His Word.
This is why Paul wants the church to examine themselves. If they are true, genuine disciples of Jesus, then that will be marked by repentance and obedience to Christ. This is not saying that we must be perfect, but that we must be repentant for the purpose of obedience. The ultimate purpose of self-examination is to be restored both to God and to the church.
Take some time today to examine your own life. What areas have you been giving into in your fight with sin? Resolve today to hate sin, to grow in your desire to obey Jesus, and take practical steps to move forward and grow in God’s grace.
By: Graham Withers
3 Comments
I love how Paul closes in verse 11-14 to this church that struggled with division. He gave them an aim (v.11). He gave them a how (v.11b-13). And he gave them a why (v.14). As we navigate through these uncharted waters I pray our aim, how, and why is the same.
Absolutely, Nick.
I think generally we fail to find the point of unity in these things because we don't take care to heed verse 5 and test ourselves. If we do that much, then we fail at verse 9 with an unwillingness to be weak so another can be strong. We just don't want to lay down ambitions for the sake of our brothers or for the good of the church. :(
Sometimes our fists are wrapped so tightly around our own ideas that we can't even conceive that God's ideas might be different. Definitely a reason to stay on our knees asking for a way to comfort and agree with one another, and so offer a genuine holy kiss.
Yes and Amen!
Nick, you did an incredible job with the message yesterday. I felt so encouraged. CPC is so blessed with the leadership we have. Tim was an amazing role model, the evidence of which is the leadership and body of believers at CPC.
Absolutely, Nick.
I think generally we fail to find the point of unity in these things because we don't take care to heed verse 5 and test ourselves. If we do that much, then we fail at verse 9 with an unwillingness to be weak so another can be strong. We just don't want to lay down ambitions for the sake of our brothers or for the good of the church. :(
Sometimes our fists are wrapped so tightly around our own ideas that we can't even conceive that God's ideas might be different. Definitely a reason to stay on our knees asking for a way to comfort and agree with one another, and so offer a genuine holy kiss.