Tag Archives: the book of 2 Corinthians

March 30
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“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.”  (2 Corinthians 5:9, NASB)

We frequently here the word “passion,” or its derivative, “passionate,” to describe the drive, energy, and the focus that someone brings to an activity.  It is meant to be a compliment, but when we are driven for the wrong reasons; or focused on the wrong things, it is anything but complimentary.

As disciples of Jesus, our passion is to be pleasing to God.  All other interests are subordinate; and all other invitations for our time, talent, and treasure are subject to — and informed by — this singular, supreme, objective.

To “have as our ambition. . .to be pleasing to Him,” is to succeed at all else, because all else is affected by this one thing!  – Luther

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March 7
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“When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much.  The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.”  (2 Corinthians 10:18, NLT)

The current fixation on self-promotion isn’t new. Folks were marketing themselves long before Paul wrote today’s admonition against the self-promotion to the Christian disciples in Corinth — which was the New York City of its day: Populous, cosmopolitan, a crossroads of humanity.

I know, I know. . .  We reason that if we’re not for ourselves, then who is?  It is a valid question.

The answer for the disciple of Jesus is that it is God who is our champion.  God opens doors that no one can close; and God closes doors that no one can open.

Be faithful to Him in all things, and he will not only chart the course of your life; but He will ensure that you arrive at all of the correct checkpoints — at the right time.  – Luther

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March 5
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“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”  (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV)

I arrived at home one day to the lovely scent of one of my wife’s favorite perfumes.  My wife wasn’t at home at the time, so I figured that I had just missed her by a matter of minutes.

When she returned some time later, she told me that she had accidentally knocked the glass perfume bottle to the bathroom’s tile floor, thereby “liberating” its contents.

As Paul reminds us in today’s scripture, we are like that perfume bottle: Fragile, but filled with the spirit of God. The perfume bottle’s purpose is to serve as a container of the fragrant treasure that, by its nature, changes the character of its environment whenever it is “liberated” — whether by plan or by “accident.”

As we continue through the Lenten season, remember that we are dust; clay; ashes; a tent.  But also remember that the spirit of almighty God from within us, and through us, changes the character of whatever environment, or circumstance, we encounter. Our fragile frame reminds us that the power is of God, not of ourselves.     – Luther

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