Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
Helpful thoughts:
- In a world where we are tempted (And taught) to boast in ourselves, we must instead boast in the grace of God.
- We are saved through the blood of Jesus, according to the promises recorded in the Word of God, all given to us by the grace of God.
- In this knowledge and faith, even when we boast of each other, we are boasting in God.
- There was evidently frustration with some in the Corinthian church at what looked like a change in Paul’s plan to come minister to them. God had other plans, and Paul sent them a letter instead. The ministry they needed at the time was rebuke, and that’s what Paul gave them (This was how the grace of God pointed them to repentance in Christ at the time).
- There appears to be two ways these verses refer everything being a “yes” in Christ.
- Even though the people didn’t get what they initially wanted (Paul’s earlier visit) they did get what they needed (A loving rebuke and time to respond before Paul arrived). This was God’s working for their good in a way that was better than what they’d hoped for…their “yes.”
- The promises of God all find their “yes” in Christ. This refers to the promises of God as found in the Old Testament. The Old Testament points to and is fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 24:27).
- There appears to be two ways these verses refer everything being a “yes” in Christ.
Questions to consider:
- How does the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer serve as a “seal” and “guarantee?” What covenant promise does God see and remain committed to when he sees the seal on us, which is the Holy Spirit? (John 10:29, Philippians 1:6)
- How does verse 24 give us a road map for helping our brothers and sisters in Christ to seek repentance? What can’t we do for (or to) them? What can we do? What is our goal for those who are in sin?
- Why is Christ the only source of our boasting? Our only hope of rescue? Our guarantee of perseverance?