A New Creation Has Come – 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
The challenge in this passage is to view people from God’s perspective, as people that he loves. Especially those who are a new creation.
Studies from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church
The challenge in this passage is to view people from God’s perspective, as people that he loves. Especially those who are a new creation.
Serving the Lord, and life in general, can be hard and discouraging. So Paul’s admonition to encourage one another is a good reminder for all of us.
Part of the spiritual warfare that believers are engaged in involves taking every thought captive. Be in control of your every thought.
It is impossible to fully describe the gift of God’s grace to us. It is indescribable, reaching into every part of our lives. From beginning to end.
Not everyone we encounter will embrace our faith in Christ. And many will reject us. But don’t be discouraged by their rejection. Entrust yourself to God.
I am like a clay jar. Fragile and unworthy of the treasure God has seen fit to put within me. The treasure of the indwelling Holy Spirit. And my prayer is that the power of God that worked in Paul would also be at work in me. I pray that his light would shine out in the words of this blog. And that he would use them to glorify himself, and to advance his kingdom.
When is the last time you performed a spiritual self examination? It is something we are instructed to do. Test yourself. Is your life different because you are a Christian? Or are you pretty much like the culture around you? Is the Holy Spirit producing his fruit in you?
It is only human nature to trust in our own strengths and abilities. And yet, when we do so, we cut ourselves off from the biggest source of power; God. Strength in weakness is not a popular slogan, yet in the work of the kingdom of God, it is the only way to serve effectively.
Con artists abound in our world. And unfortunately they are not all that uncommon within the church. Learn to recognize them, whether by the false gospel they proclaim, or their lack of focus on Christ. Run from them. Don’t allow them to deceive you and draw you away from Christ.
Take up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. Learn to use it effectively and listen to the owner’s advice. And then use it to demolish the arguments that people make against the knowledge of God. Lovingly go on the offensive in the spiritual battle we are engaged in.